Save up to £150 on broadband, phone & TV bills*

What do you need to get started?

To see the deals available in your area, all that’s required is your postcode. If you want to compare your current broadband setup, some basic details about your speed and any bundled phone and TV extras will help to filter comparable deals, but this isn’t mandatory.

How much could you save if you switch suppliers?

Ofcom found that many homes across the country could save up to £150/year by switching their broadband company.

What should you look at in order to compare broadband deals

The monthly price is likely to be a key determinant in depending whether you will save month to month on your bills and so, it is a good place to start.

If you are out of contract on your current deal, then the monthly costs from a new provider for a similar service is likely to be cheaper.

You also need to be aware of the other costs involved, like any upfront payments required, exit fees, bundled products like landline minutes and differing equipment required.

What is a good broadband deal?

A good broadband deal is one that suits the needs of your household. It isn't necessarily the cheapest, the fastest, or the deal with the most extras — it's the deal that has the most of what you require.

If you only use the internet occasionally and usually just use it for email or social media, a good broadband deal could well be the cheapest one you can find. However, if you have avid gamers living with you, Netflix shows constantly on the go, children at home who are always online, or you regularly work from home, a good broadband deal could be one that offers the most reliable connection and fast download and upload speeds.

Broadband deals can also come in packages with extras including TV bundles, landline calls and mobile deals, so it’s important to consider what savings might be available from switching over other services you pay separately for to this bundle.

Will you lose internet connection during the switch?

In most cases, you will be able to switch with little or no service interruption (a couple of hours at the most). Your new provider should let you know when the switch is going to happen and if you’re likely to experience any loss of service.

If you are moving to a provider who is not on the Openreach network, then you can schedule the contract end date with your current provider to ensure that you have no downtime between suppliers.

Can you switch if you owe money to your current supplier?

If you have an outstanding bill less than 28 days old, then your existing supplier will add the amount you owe to your final payment.

Can you switch broadband suppliers if you rent?

Yes, unless broadband is part of a pre-agreed utility package provided by the landlord. In that case it makes sense to engage with them first if you are unhappy with the broadband service.

How long does it take to switch broadband providers?

For standard Openreach switches, this is dependent on the provider and how simple your switch is but typically, it takes approximately two weeks. If you need any installation or engineering work done, it might take a little longer, but your internet should still work during this time.

Your new provider is best placed to guide you on how long your switch will take. Things that take longer include getting different equipment and installing specific cabling to your house for faster connection speeds.

What do you need to know if you want to switch broadband suppliers?

If you want to switch broadband, start by finding out whether your current deal charges an exit or cancellation fee as part of the contract, or expects you to return any equipment. If they do, you’ll need to work out whether you’ll still save money by switching.

If you are out of contract, it’s still good to review the terms of your existing deal to understand download speeds, any usage limits and the current monthly costs. You can find this information on your original broadband contract or your bill.

Knowing how fast your broadband is, and whether it’s too slow for your household’s needs will give you a good idea of what to look for in a new contract. Speeds vary with the type of broadband installed, and what you could switch to depends on the types of broadband available in your area.

Types of broadband and speed:

•ADSL is the most common type of broadband and uses your phone line. It can provide speeds of up to 24Mb, although this depends on how far you live from the telephone exchange.
• Fibre uses fibre optic cables. There are two types: Fibre-to-the-cabinet (FTTC) is the most common, providing speeds of between 38Mb and 76Mb. Fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP) is faster, providing speeds of up to 1Gb.
• Cable uses a mix of fibre optic and coaxial cables to give speeds of up to 152Mb.

Can you switch broadband during a contract?

Yes, but if your existing contract has a minimum term and you’re still within that period, it’s likely you will have to pay an exit fee. If you still want to cancel during the contract, make sure any cancellation fee is less than the amount you save by switching.

However, you might be legally entitled to cancel the contract without a fee if either:
‍
• you signed up less than 14 days ago (i.e. you’re within a ‘cooling off period’)
• the price of the contract has gone up
• there’s a problem with your broadband speed

What is the cost of switching broadband providers?

The cost of your tariff is just one part of your broadband package, so as well as early exit fees, connection charges and line rental, you should also consider:

• Cost of returning old equipment
• Set-up fees
• New router charge
• Technical support costs
• Upfront fees for things like set-top boxes or Wi-Fi boosters if required

Each provider will have their own fees and charges, so check before you commit.

How do you know if you are out of contract?

Your provider is required to notify you, so it’s likely they have confirmed this in an email or letter if you are out of contract. Typical contract lengths are 12 or 24 months. You can also review your most recent bill or contact your current supplier directly.

What's Youtility?

Youtility — an independent and impartial platform on a mission to help you find the best deals and packages for broadband, phone and TV.

We've partnered with Youtility to help you:
‍
• Compare 95%+ deals on the market
• Get an impartial quote
• Find the right speed for you