Switching Broadband Provider

ronin4

Hi would really appreciate some advice on how to go about doing this successfully, ie without getting charged for something that wasnt too apparent.
Believe it or not BT have agreed we are better off switching to Virgin, lol!
Bt cant bring Fibre Optic to our area, so they have recommended that if we need this we should change provider.
We have a internet contract ending on the 4th of June this year and then the phoneline ends the following month.
From reading ofcom I know I need a Mac number from BT to change Internet and they specify its best not to let the contract end and then start a new one, which is what i was thinking would be simplest.

Ofcom are not stating how early we can/should inform BT that we want to cancel, BT say its 30days, but we are not sure if it can be now ( 60 days), asking them not to renew and to provide us/Virgin with the MAC number 30 days from today.
We also havent actually "asked" Virgin yet, so dont know if its them we speak to first, or BT?
We also arent sure if its best to just get broadband from Virgin and then, 1 month later, contact them to add the phoneline, when its expired with BT - or just do it all at once?

I am hesitant to speak to Virgin just now, because Ive heard a few people say they spoke to Virgin and Virgin didnt wait until the contract expired, just contacting BT when they were informed of the customers interest, which meant they all got a charge from BT for early cancelation?

Really not sure how to begin switching broadband and phoneline from BT to Virgin, can anyone advice the best way forwards?

macman

No MAC is required for switching BT to VM, because it's ADSL to cable, not ADSL to ADSL. VM's cable network is entirely separate and will require VM to run a co-ax cable into the property from the street.
Your BT contracts do not 'expire', they just reach the end of their minimum term, then you are on 30 days notice.
I'd wait until you are within 30 days of the end of minimum term on your line rental, then order from VM and get a start date. Once you have that give notice to BT.
You'll incur a £30 OR cease charge on your ADSL service-no way around that.

ronin4

Cheers mate