How easy to switch ISP providers?

kah22

[FONT=&quot]My ISP is TalkTalk and for over two years they didn’t charge me even though I had contacted them via email on about three different occasions to advise them of this. They just said they couldn’t find me on the system. Fair enough I said and continued to use the service.[/FONT]
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Anyway received a call today, they finally traced my name and discovered they hadn’t been charging me for two years. They wanted me to pay three months back money but I said no and told them I’d contacted them on several occasions and they done nothing about it. Their fault not mine.[/FONT]
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[FONT=&quot]So [/FONT]I’m now going to be charged. Fair enough. But TalkTalk wanted me to enter into a new 24month contract for a broadband only deal, which would work out about £20 month. [/FONT]I'm happy with the service I'm getting
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I have two questions here. If I’m already on their books do I have to enter into a contract for say 24 months or can I just carry on with my old contract [FONT=&quot]at whatever their updated price is[/FONT] on a month by month basis. I’m asking that because I may want to move to another supplier. Which brings me to my second point, any recommendations for a broadband only package? I’d like my phone line to stay with BT.[/FONT]
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I’ve been reading a Which? Online review of ISP’s and one that jumped out at me was +PlusNet. Unlimited broadband; Maximum download speeds (Mbps) 17 at a cost of £12.49. A far lot less than other ISP operators. Any of you have +PlusNet?[/FONT] I do appreciate the word Maximum is not the same as typical.
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On the assumption I do decide to jump ship what’s the best way to go about it so that there is less interference for myself.[/FONT]
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As a matter of interest my main use for the internet is emails, research, visiting Forums like this (of course this is my favourite) and watching films from the likes of Netflix or YouTube.[/FONT] I very seldom upload anything other than a photograph or the very occasional YouTube video to my Facebook page. There is only one user in the house.
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As always many thanks for your advice.

[FONT=&quot]Ke[FONT=&quot]vin[/FONT][/FONT]
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abibee

I can vouch for Virgin, I've been with them not long, but can't fault them so far. Sky were good for me too. You may want to look at the fibre packages, with Netflix in mind, and of course unlimited. I'd avoid BT, wouldn't go near them.

Sorry, main point... It's easy to switch. Contact the people you want to move to, they'll arrange delivery/installation of your new broadband/router, and they'll cancel your old provider too (if I recall). The switchover happens in an hour or so.

kah22

abibee wrote: »

Sorry, main point... It's easy to switch. Contact the people you want to move to, they'll arrange delivery/installation of your new broadband/router, and they'll cancel your old provider too (if I recall). The switchover happens in an hour or so.

Would I be able to stay with TalkTalk on a month by month basis once my contract is up (just like you would with a mobile contract) it would give me a bit of time to look around and see what's on offer elsewhere.


Kevin

flashg67

Just because TalkTalk have just 'found' you, shouldn't mean you need to start a new contract? I'd suggest you've fulfilled any minimum contract and will be on a month to month contract? Others may correct me, but if you're difficult with them about paying them now, you may find any switch is blocked, as well as impacting your credit rating if you refuse to pay.

I'm with Plusnet and have good service for 2 years and am happy to stay with them, even though they're not the cheapest.

kah22

flashg67 wrote: »

Just because TalkTalk have just 'found' you, shouldn't mean you need to start a new contract? I'd suggest you've fulfilled any minimum contract and will be on a month to month contract? Others may correct me, but if you're difficult with them about paying them now, you may find any switch is blocked, as well as impacting your credit rating if you refuse to pay.

I'm with Plusnet and have good service for 2 years and am happy to stay with them, even though they're not the cheapest.

All very good points. I had thought of my credit rating and would certainly pay the three months if pushed but I'd really like to stay out of contract and operate on a rolling month by month basis.

What I'm wondering is are ISP contracts like mobile phone contracts, you enter into them for a given period and then after that period is up your there on a month by month basis. That would suit me and that way I'd be free to look around and think 'do I want to change?'

Sparx

Yes once you have fulfilled the initial contract period, you are on a rolling 30 day notice period,

macman

There is no back billing code for telcoms. You have had this service for 2 years without paying and TT are entitled to pursue you for the total sum due, up to 5 years after the event, regardless of it being their fault. If they're asking you for only 3 months then that is a very good result-you've saved 21 months charges.
If you stay with them you'll presumably need to enter a minimum term contract, or they may choose to terminate your service if you refuse to pay the 3 months.
If you move, then it's daft to leave your line rental with BT, because if you migrate your line and bundle the services then you'll pay considerably less. Since PN is BT-owned, there is no difference, you'll still be on the BT network, and the current offer gives you unlimited broadband for 12m at £2.50pm, not £12.50.
PS: you are never 'out of contract', you are in a contract on 30 days notice.

bod1467

Bear in mind that on leaving TT you'll almost certainly have some down time (no internet) ... TT have their own network whereas most other ISPs use BT's infrastructure, so moving from TT means getting disconnected from their network before being connected to BT's network.

(Moving between ISPs that use BT's network is usually only a software setting and not a physical movement of wires).

HappyMJ

It could be easy to switch but in my case switching from ADSL to Fibre caused us to get a rubbish service which was worse than ADSL then switching providers to avoid the rubbish service and we were completely down for 2 periods of 4 days and had the rubbish service for a total of 8 weeks. We are now on TalkTalk and reasonably happy. If you aren't happy with the price but happy with the service I'd ring and cancel getting through to retentions then negotiate a deal.

paddyrg

Think you've had a result, only being asked for 3 months!

Many broadband suppliers just use BT's wholesale connectivity, so the actual plumbing is more or less constant, you only pay for someone different to bill you with different levels of customer service. May be with seeing if BT will do you a deal as you have line rental with them already - they keep offering me a year or two completely free broadband if I sign up, so there are deals to be had.

[Deleted User]

HappyMJ wrote: »

It could be easy to switch but in my case switching from ADSL to Fibre caused us to get a rubbish service which was worse than ADSL then switching providers to avoid the rubbish service and we were completely down for 2 periods of 4 days and had the rubbish service for a total of 8 weeks. We are now on TalkTalk and reasonably happy. If you aren't happy with the price but happy with the service I'd ring and cancel getting through to retentions then negotiate a deal.

Great service and prices from Plusnet Their telephone package using BT line is also good value. Best of all - first class customer service and technical support. Free phone number and no waiting on hold for lengthy periods.

Crimson