Whats the process for transferring broadband provider?

FIRSTTIMER

Hi,


My broadband is due to expire/renew 5th May with Plusnet - when do I cancel. Or do I just find a new provider and switch like a bank account? or will plusnet give me a new customer deal again?


Thanks,
Imran

tronator

FIRSTTIMER wrote: »

My broadband is due to expire/renew 5th May with Plusnet - when do I cancel. Or do I just find a new provider and switch like a bank account? or will plusnet give me a new customer deal again?

The process is asking for the PAC at your old and give it to the new ISP. Don't "cancel" your contract as this might lead to canceling your phone line and you might need to pay a reconnection fee.

When you ask for the PAC, customer support might offer you a better deal. Research what you would pay elsewhere and mention it when you haggle with them. If they can't match the other offers, ask for the retention team, which will be able to give you a better deal.

teddysmum

Research other offers, then ask your present provider to beat or match and if they can't/won't ask the provider of your choice to take over.

Browntoa

The new supplier manages the whole switch now

Dizzee_Rebel

I'm in the same position, out of contract with BT end of the month, I phoned them yesterday and they wanted £194 (thats with the line rental saver) & £8.85 month - just for basic unlimited broadband. £300 for the year, very rude bloke on the phone aswell.

Asked for my mac/pac whatever you call it & he said you don't need one anymore. Checked on uswitch & this is the case. You just contact your new provider & they handle everything.

iniltous

Switching provider is now gaining provider led , so no Mac (or PAC ?) needed, you just instruct your 'new' provider
Your minimum term may expire with your current provider, but your contract doesn't, so they shouldn't 're-contract' you for a further minimum term, so if or when you leave , provided you give them the required notice , no early termination fees should apply.
If you are happy with PN you could call them asking what sort of retention deal they will offer you to stay for another 12/18 months, or research other providers and when you have picked the one ,you contact them, they do everthing else.
The only exception is if you move to Virgin Media, PN will probably charge you a fee for ceasing broadband, as you wouldn't be migrating to another provider that uses Openreach's network

kwikbreaks

PAC is for phone number transfer and still needed for that SFAIK.

MAC was for broadband switch and as was stated above no longer used. If you do intend to switch it is still worth contacting your existing supplier though to see if they can make an offer to retain you.

If switching anything phone/broadband/insurance etc. always check what cashbacks are on offer - TopCashBack Quidco and possibly more. Although not guaranteed I've never had a failed cashback. Take the amount on offer into account when comparing deals.

pmduk

kwikbreaks wrote: »

PAC is for phone number transfer and still needed for that SFAIK.

MAC was for broadband switch and as was stated above no longer used. If you do intend to switch it is still worth contacting your existing supplier though to see if they can make an offer to retain you.

If switching anything phone/broadband/insurance etc. always check what cashbacks are on offer - TopCashBack Quidco and possibly more. Although not guaranteed I've never had a failed cashback. Take the amount on offer into account when comparing deals.

I transferred my number last September without a PAC. Indeed, I understood they were only for mobile networks,

parttimeskint

PAC is nothing to do with your landline. That is to do with mobile number transfers.

The process now is:

If you are retaining your existing number your new provider will handle the transfer for you. They will contact your existing provider and make arrangements for phone and broadband to switch. Normally takes 10 working days and this satisfies any notice requirements from the losing provider. Also, this way, there is no cessation charge. Your service should cancel with your old provider and start with the new provider on the same day with a short downtime. As this can take anytime up until midnight, your old provider bills you for the day of the change over and the new provider bills from the next day. So if you move to a new supplier on 1st, they start billing you from the 2nd.

Some of the providers do seem to have issues getting broadband and line activated at the same time for some reason although there should really be no issue.

At times OFCOM can sanction companies so they can't take over and retain the number meaning they have to provide a new line and new number. Usually due to slamming and, over the last few years, mostly talktalk.

If you don't want to or can't keep your number then the new provider will usually do what is called a new line provide. This may be chargeable and won't necessarily cancel the existing supplier in the house.

If you are moving suppliers then it's sensible to make sure the current supplier is set to cancel when the new one goes active. Your new provider will bill you from the day the service goes active as there is no losing provider as far as the activation goes.

There has been many occasions where a new line was requested and, rather than a new line installed, open reach connect the existing cable to the new suppliers equipment, usually when moving to or from LLU. All sounds good but the old supplier may still have you registered on their equipment and will still be charging you for it if they haven't received any request to cancel, after all, many people do have more than one phone line. Take a little responsibility and check with your existing supplier if you aren't 100% sure when your old service will cancel. Time it wrong and you may be paying BT the 30 days notice period along with your double bill from Sky.

Moving to and from virgin is a little different. You would be better checking with your existing supplier and virgin as to how best retain your number. Virgin media have 10 days after your existing line cancels to pick up the number. What they usually do, is provide the service with a temporary number first.

If you are moving to virginmedia and not keeping your number you have to cancel with your existing supplier, virginmedia can't do it for you, no matter what they tell you. There again may be a cessation charge for this from your existing supplier.



HTH

inglorius

Why have Plusnet informed me they will charge me £30 for transferring my phone line to a non BT provider eg Virgin or Sky I thought they had to transfer your service out of contract for free

pmduk

Why not check this with your new provider? If there is a charge, they may be prepared to cover it?