Changing Broadband ISP

Shawz

Sorry if this has been posted by someone else already.

I am currently with Pipex paying £23.44 per month.
I use the internet every day for checking email, web pages and downloading software patches, anti-virus updates.

In order to save some pennies I am looking to change my ISP but have a few questions that I hope someone on here can help with

• How long does it normally take to change from one isp to another.
• Which of the cheaper ISP's offer a quick connection time (allow me to use BB after disconnecting from old ISP)
• Does anyone have a recommendations for an ISP that offers monthly contract, 512K connection 2GB download limit etc. I have looked at ADSLguide but also value personal opinion and recommendations
• How do you ensure you don't get billed by both your old isp and your new one.

Sorry if I am asking daft questions but BB is not something I have changed before, and I want to make sure I make the right decisions, still get a good level of service and save some money

Any help or advice much appreciated

mike_paterson

You need to contact Pipex and ask for a Migration Authorisation Code (MAC). (they might even offer to reduce your charge as they are charging far too much)
You then give this to your chosen new supplier and it will ensure that the handover between the 2 is close to seamless. Providing you are able to leave Pipex without any penalties/losses, you should not be charged by both companies for more than a day or so (if at all).

If you transfer between BT phoneline based ADSL isps, then the time to actually do the transfer is often down to BT scheduling in the change.

Regards
Mike

pin

As mike has said contact Pipex and see if they reduce your charge. I'm with NDO and I called for my MAC, they offered me a good package. Also see if you can pay for the entire year up front, that can reduce the amount.

WebJunkie007

I migrated away from Pipex about 7 months ago - they will supply you a MAC if you can get through to a CS agent there! They are hard to contact on the phone. When I initially spoke to CS to get a MAC, they said that my service would cease on X date - but as this was midway through the billing period, I still had to pay for the month and they would refund me.

It took forever to get the refund, you really need to chase them and they don't respond to e-mails.

A month after cancelling my service and migrating away, they sent me a bill for the following year's worth of broadband service (it was about £200).

I wasn't very impressed. When I was with Pipex, they were a reliable connection, however whenever I needed support the customer services were not desirable. Sorry, that got a bit off topic.

libra10

As pin says, it is worth contacting your present ISP before changing. I requested my MAC code from Virgin. They upped my speed from 512k to 2MB at the same price. It saves a lot of hassle.

Shawz

Thanks for all your help.

Today i called Pipex customer service and explained that I had found a better offer from another isp and had been with pipex since 2003 and as a valued customer what would they do to keep my business.

They were very helpful and (what a surprise!!) they had a special offer available for longstanding customers. So instead of paying £23.44 for my 2mb connection I now pay £17.99 and am on a monthly contract with a 30GB download limit.
The customer support were able to see how much I have been downloading each month (between 2-4gb per month) so I should never exceed this limit.
Saving £65.40 per year and I didn't even need to change my ISP :j

mike_paterson

Glad to hear it Shawz !

A much better deal saving a lot of money !

There are better deals out there though - but now you have the option to look at leisure!

Cheers
Mike