Moral Dilemma

Watchfulmouse

I cancelled my WiFi and before getting a new one I discovered that my old provider hasn’t actually disconnected me. So I’m currently getting free WiFi. Should I get a new contract or see how long I can get away with not paying anything?

The_Fat_Controller

What type of connection do you have, over the phone line/fibre cable or 4G network ?

If it's over the phone line is the phone service still active ?

Ordering a new service with an active line could be a problem.

Have you checked that your account has really been closed ?

Neil_Jones

Watchfulmouse said:

I cancelled my WiFi and before getting a new one I discovered that my old provider hasn’t actually disconnected me. So I’m currently getting free WiFi. Should I get a new contract or see how long I can get away with not paying anything?

What do you mean, a "new Wifi"?

Remember "free Wi-fi" can be as simple as making use of it in the likes of Tesco, Lidl, McDonalds... for those they are free (although you have paid for them indirectly).

There is no such thing as a free lunch.

As you mention "getting a new WiFi" (whatever that is supposed to mean) I presume you mean you went into a shop somewhere and came out with a new mobile sim?  The old ones of those may not "expire" as such but fall onto a rolling contract.

Watchfulmouse

Sorry I wasn’t clear. It’s home Broadband. 

flaneurs_lobster

If you are happy with your "free" service then knock yourself out. Just don't be surprised when it stops or a bill arrives that's twice what you were paying before. 

Are you sure you've cancelled the service? It's usual to swap to a new supplier so that continuity of service is maintained, cancelling a landline-based service may mean that a reconnection fee may be charged, can be quite expensive.

shiraz99

Watchfulmouse said:

I cancelled my WiFi and before getting a new one I discovered that my old provider hasn’t actually disconnected me. So I’m currently getting free WiFi. Should I get a new contract or see how long I can get away with not paying anything?

That doesn't really make any sense. Firstly, when you say "cancel" do you mean exactly that or did you go through the process to move from one provider to the other, ie, contact the new provider and they handle the rest. What is happening with the new provider, do they think you're their customer now or what?

I would speak to your old provider because at some point you're going to have to complete this switch and you will end up paying for this period where you think you're getting free broadband. Also, cancelling is the worst thing you can do if moving to a new ISP as you may find having your line ceased by Openreach which will cost you more to get it made live again.

The_Fat_Controller

Could this be another case where a consumer has ordered real fibre, had a new installation completed thinking that would automatically cancel an existing service over the phone line.

It is happening quite a lot these days as people do not understand the need to cancel the old service.

So, @Watchfulmouse, who provided your service that you think should have ended and who did you move to and on what technology ?

Do you still have a phone service on either ?

Brie

if you really are getting a service for free then I would suggest you put aside a reasonable amount of what it might cost you monthly in case you do get a bill at some future date. 

But if you look at your log in to wifi details does it give your old provider with your password?  or are you piggy backing on a neighbour's without a password?