How to give notice to broadband provider

David_Cardiff

I want to change from my Virgin media broadband package to one of the packages recommended in MSE.

Virgin require 1 month’s notice. All the deals appear to be intended to be taken up immediately. How do I bridge that gap? Do I give notice and then wait until a couple of days before my Virgin subscription expires and then find out what offers there currently are? In addition, I do want to make sure that I do not lose my phone number!

iniltous

Only Virgin provide service over VM ‘cable’ , everyone else will need to install a ‘line’ or if there is an old ‘BT’ type connection, bring that back into service...when you pick a new provider they should arrange a new line if it’s needed and arrange porting the number from VM.
You may want to check with VM , as they have been known to cease the telephony ( a result of the request to port the number ) but leave broadband and TV working, arguing that they only were asked to cease the phone , so you should check that they will cease TV and broadband at the same time ( if that’s what you want ) after signing up with someone else
Some providers seem to be better than others at porting, if the number is very important, best to check that they will be able to import the number

D_M_E

You might be able to get FTTP if your home is in an enabled area, searh for FTTP Cardiff for example and you might find VM are not the only fibre network which can supply your home.

As for VM, phone them on a phone which records calls and give them the required notice and tell them you want to cancel EVERYTHING, then what I would do is make another call with a week to go and tell them you want to port the number and insist they give you a code to do so and when you have it pass it on to your chosen supplier.

[Deleted User]

To add to the above it may take a month to set up a BB connection through the Open Reach network depending on your personal circumstances. There will be either an overlap or a break in service.

AndyPK

cancelling VM should take 30 days.
Be nice and tell them to deal you are moving to. (price etc) They may match it. (if they do carefully check the new contract online within 14 days, under the bills section and get back to them asap (14 days) if wrong)
If you want to take your phone number with you, you need to tell VM this (and the new company)

Wait 1 day or 2 incase VM ring back with a better deal.

Sign up to the new company. It usually take 2-3 weeks for it to go live. Pick a date when you will be a home, and allow a bit of an overlap if it doesn't work out! You can always cancel this contract within 14 days of signing up. So just get it done.


before starting all that, have a practice at going through the signup process with other companies (not to the submit bit though!), and see what is the minimum guaranteed speed they will offer. It's towards the end. It may give you a range of install dates as a guide