How can I move from TalkTalk to another provider as smoothly as possible?

Lu72

I have been with TalkTalk since 2005 and everything was fine until we moved house 18 months ago. We were promised we could keep our number but of course they changed it and then they left us without broadband for 6 weeks. Like everybody else I would reiterate TalkTalk are fine unless you actually need to speak to someone

My contract with them (phone and broadband) is up in the middle of Feb, and I want to move providers because I just don't want to give talktalk my money any more. So what is the easiest way of doing this? TalkTalk have been phoning me daily trying to get me to sign up to a new contract and even though I have repeatedly asked them to stop calling and that I will call them when I want to talk to them, they just won't stop. My exchange has been unbundled - does this make things easier?

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

Oh and I have a stupid question - what happens to my talktalk email address when I move providers?

AlexisV

All you need is a mac code. They last 30 days so ring them up in the middle of January.

Then go to your new provider, sign up and give them the mac code. The telephone aspect is easy - you can just pick a company and sign up. The broadband needs a code so that there is no disruption to the service.

The tricky bit is getting the mac code from TalkTalk...

P.S. You'll probably lose your email address unfortunately.

macman

Who are you intending to move to?
If you are on a TT LLU line, then you can't go direct to another LLU provider. You need to do a return to donor and go back to BT on a 12m line rental contract-once that is done, you can place your broadband where you wish.
if you are non-LLU, then a normal MAC-based switch is the way.
Open a Gmail account (takes 5 minutes) and then your email is ISP-free.

Lu72

macman wrote: »

If you are on a TT LLU line, then you can't go direct to another LLU provider.

Hi MacMan - I don't know what sort of line I am on - how would I find out? I am so fed up with getting no sense out of talktalk that I am trying to get as much info together before I steel myself to call them! I am probably going to move to BT but not 100% sure yet.

I have a GMail account which I use for comping so I could start moving all my other contacts over to that.

penrhyn

Hi OP try dialling 17070 and see what message you get.
I'm on Sky LLU and get a very American Zoe!

Apparantly if you are on Talk Talk LLU you just get your number read back twice, with BT you get your number read back followed by a series of options.

dazza.mk

OP an alternative to BT directly is Plusnet (admittedly a BT subsidiary). I moved to them last Feb to escape Talk Talk. You can request the change online and the broadband is moved at pretty much the same time as the line is migrated back to a BT line ( I think mine was down for an hour).
Still a minimum contract for the line rental but different pricing options and easy to arrange.

Also if you check the availability on your line it will tell you if it is possible to migrate broadband to Plusnet or confirm that you'll need to migrate line rental as well (if LLU)

macman

Lu72 wrote: »

Hi MacMan - I don't know what sort of line I am on - how would I find out? I am so fed up with getting no sense out of talktalk that I am trying to get as much info together before I steel myself to call them! I am probably going to move to BT but not 100% sure yet.

I have a GMail account which I use for comping so I could start moving all my other contacts over to that.

As post 5. but if you are going back to BT (?!) then it's not an issue anyway.

AlexisV

Just plugging your phone number into your preferred new broadband provider's website should tell you.

Stuart_W

If you are on a TT LLU line, transferring to anyone other than BT can be tricky or expensive, but you can switch to The Phone Co-op for free.

http://www.thephone.coop/support/landline-connections

The phone co-op actually use the talktalk network as their wholesale LLU suppliers, but you get the customer service of a real company.

Prices are not as competitive as other options, but you get a friendly and helpful team in Oxfordshire who will do whatever they can to help.
Broadband, line rental and inclusive off-peak 01/02/03/0845/0870 calls with free router are £23.95 per month. (Off peak starts at 6pm like it should).

If you are a member of The Co-operative Group you can get extra divi points .

Give them a call and have a chat, they'll advise on the smoothest course of action.

Phones4Chris

@Lu72
Unfortunately moves from TT don't always go smoothly. That said however, Plusnet are an excellent UK company based in Sheffield and have an excellent customer service (generally) and very helpful forums. They have migrated many customers from TT. You will also get an excellent deal from Plusnet because you are on an LLU'd exchange. Go and take a look at their website for the deals available, migration and a router is generally free if you stay for a minimum of 12 months. Do check the broadband package you sign for meets your usage needs, also usage midnight to 8am is unlimited. They do have traffic management, and there are restrictions on eg. P2P traffic at certain times of day.

Yorkie1

Just be careful that you know exactly when your current TT contract expires. They have a nasty habit of putting you onto a new contract without you knowing it.