Is there any way around the 14 day new customer broadband restrictions?

blizeH

matelodave said:

blizeH said:

macman said:

No way should you be trying to arrange this before actual completion date, in case it's delayed. If necessary you can tether or use a dongle for the time it takes to get the new service installed.
Are you referring to a 14 day cooling off period?

Thank you, we were told the completion date is set in stone and won't change? Not sure how realistic that is.

I'm so confused by this process - it's standard for people to be without internet (if living in an area without 4G/5G) for 2 weeks?

As Macman says, it should be, but often slips, especially if you are in a chain or even for a new build if its not completed on schedule. 

We've moved house several times and bought/sold houses for my Mum and MIL and out of around twelve transactions, six of them have slipped because something went wrong down the chain - we even ended up being homeless for some three weeks due to a glitch in the chain

We had anticipated it and lived in a caravan for three weeks with our possessions in storage to help break the chain and get it moving. It could have gone horribly wrong, and we could have been homeless for a lot longer if it had all gone to pot, but at least we would then have been cash buyers for another property

Even if you are a cash buyer it can still slide if there's an upward chain.

Regarding provision of internet, there is a process that has to be followed that relies on giving you as the customer a fourteen day cooling off period, the ISP has to programme the changeover with Open Reach if they are the network provider in your area and of course it relies on the previous occupant releasing their broadband contract in a timely fashion - many don't, and as they are still in contract you cannot demand the ISP to transfer you, even if they don't own the house any more.

Lastly, there may be a waiting list which may prioritise anyone who's been waiting over you as soon as the line gets released.

It may be irritating but, in the end, getting broadband isn't really a right, it's a privilege and you'll just have to accept what's available when it's available.

Possibly the only way around it is to get the vendor to take out a new contract on your behalf and in your name whilst they are still living there. You pick up the cost of his early termination fee's if there are any and pay for the service until you eventually move in.

Thanks so much, this is really helpful Appreciate you taking the time to explain the ins and outs of how it works too.

Jonboy_1984

shiraz99 said:

Also, if it's going to cost you a "lot of money" then maybe you should be looking at a business contract instead.

On a business contract for the support guarantees and a Static IP, because I work from home full time, still had a 14 day wait when I moved earlier this year…

Neil_Jones

Jonboy_1984 said:

shiraz99 said:

Also, if it's going to cost you a "lot of money" then maybe you should be looking at a business contract instead.

On a business contract for the support guarantees and a Static IP, because I work from home full time, still had a 14 day wait when I moved earlier this year…

There's a difference between business as in self-trader, and business as in Joe Bloggs Ltd.

One of these does not give you a cooling off period, and the other you only get through the existing consumer protections I believe due to its nature of trading.