End of FTTC contract in 2 months - should I start looking to switch now?

drykoke

Locked into 24 months with TalkTalk FTTC, this will finish first week Feb 2022.

Do I need to start looking now, particularly if it takes a long time for a new provider to set me up? We don't have Virgin Fibre in our area, so the only possible switch is to another FTTC provider on OpenReach.

Might be OK left closer to the time if switching is quick and easy?

Neil_Jones

Well there is no switching window like you see in energy so you can look but pointless switching now as you'll get hit by exit fees up until whatever date it ends in February.

FTTC wise you just pick somebody else, sign up with them and they do all the work.  All you do is swap/reconfigure a router on changeover day.  That's it.  Lead time with cooling off if 17-21 days.

FTTP (the other/faster fibre) is a different kettle of fish switching wise.  In theory should work the same way, but I think it doesn't.

iniltous

I would suggest you wait a while , until mid to late January , and see what offers etc are available then, if moving to another FTTC provider , they do the arrangements ( serving notice to TT ) and as already stated, this process takes 10-14 days , so to arrange the migration as close to your minimum term ending , you want to sign up with a new provider 10-14 days before that date.
Personally I wouldn’t worry too much if it isn’t on the exact date , a few days early termination charges if done before the minimum term, or a few days at TT ‘out of contract’ price shouldn’t amount to much…any over payment , TT should refunded you , they no doubt will charge a full month and refund the days paid for after the switch , your final bill with TT and the initial bill with whoever you sign up with, no doubt will have debits and credits as they adjust your payments to fit in with the way they produce their  monthly bill. 

neilmcl

It doesn't take that long to switch, there's a minimum period of 14 days and it's usually done on or just after that. Moving too early in a contract and you may face a cancellation charge. There are always deals around so I wouldn't worry too much about waiting until the new year.

matelodave

MY FTTP contract with BT ends around mid January and I'm seeing what's around.

However, as most providers set out new deals early in the new year,  I'll be waiting until 2022 before I do anything serious, just in case there are any decent deals around.

drykoke

Great, thanks everyone. I will wait until mid-January before looking for a new deal.