Broadband switching: Horror stories are putting me off!

Spidernick

Morning all!

I have the notice through from Sky that my broadband/phone deal will be increasing from £35.40 to £39.40 next month (including free calls). The BT deal of £24.49 before cashback, etc, (with only weekend calls, but that is fine, as we don't need the full call package any more), therefore looks a good option. The rub is that I then go on these and other forums and read horror stories from people who get left with no broadband for days or weeks on end and am wondering is this really is that common, or whether it's the usual case of people who have had problems much more likely to tell their story.

I had a really stressful time trying to sort out problems with Talk Talk years back (and hence wouldn't touch them with a barge pole) and haven't had any real problems with Sky. As such, I'm wondering whether to take the risk of changing or not. I have no love of Sky (far from it and am only with them by default) and am annoyed at how they ramp up their charges all the time. I would like to move, but not if there is a reasonable chance that things will go wrong. In short, if anyone can offer me reassurance that things are likely to be OK (yes, I know there are no guarantees) it would be appreciated. Thanks.

Browntoa

you only ever read the horror stories because they moan


the ones it went ok for never post

Mister_G

Well here's a good story then!

I moved from Virgin National (not cable) to Plusnet in May 2015. No problem with an overnight switchover.

I then moved from Plusnet (they put their prices up mid-contract) to Origin in September 2016. Again no problem with an overnight switchover.

So it can be done painlessly.

JJ_Egan

About twenty seemless switches for me from the days of dial up .

As said this is more and more a moaners forum and its not something that those who have no problem even bother posting about .

kwikbreaks

I too have made countless switches with no serious problem just minor annoyances on occasion which were quickly sorted. Moving or even just calling saying you are thinking about moving will usually prevent an increase or even bring about a decrease.

If you do decide to move remember to consider using a cashbaclk site such as TopCashback.

mac.d

I've switched a few times without any issues. I've switched between various bog-standard broadband ISP's, to and from a LLU ISP, and from standard to fibre broadband. Had other issues along the way, but never any hassles switching ISP. Service down for a few hours on the day of switch, and that's about it.

boatman

I've had half a dozen switches, BT from Plusnet was the only one that went wrong, 3 weeks without broadband. Not sure if Plusnet put some sort of block on it because i left after their price rises last summer. Or it was BT's systems that just didn't book an openreach appointment for the switch.

patchwork_cat

We are currently in the middle of switching and have lost internet and are very frustrated. I think we have had an LLU and are now switching to an ADSL, as we went from sky to BT, but I feel like a mushroom with BT. We move virtually annually and have had some were internet was down for up to 12/15 hrs, but nothing like this before.

terrierlady

we switched from BT as bills were rising and cost of calls, we were concerned as we went with Origins and had paid up front for a year.The switch day went ok for phone but broadband was an issue as settings on the router were wrong and needed changing.Phoned customer care prepared for long wait but got through and was helped to reset the router.We notice its quicker than BT and hope the service lasts.It can be very off putting if you have never swopped but this year have done elec gas and broadband so thanks to all on here for helping me.

Teapot55

My big worry would be having to send dozens of emails telling everyone my email address had changed.

Plus, how to migrate your address book... after all you can't have your old email and your new one going at the same time....

kwikbreaks

That's why you shouldn't use ISP email addresses...