Switching broadband.
Easier than you think. Usually cheaper too.
Most people stay on the same broadband deal for too long and end up paying over the odds for it. Here is everything you need to switch to a better deal without the hassle.
Switching broadband provider in the UK is straightforward. You do not need to contact your old provider first. Compare new deals at your address, sign up with your chosen new provider, and they handle everything. Your service stays live until the new connection activates, typically one to two weeks later. The main thing to check before switching is whether you are still in a fixed-term contract and what your exit fee would be, if anything.
Compare new broadband deals at your address
See every deal available at your postcode. New customers consistently get better pricing than existing customers on renewal. Find out what you could switch to right now.
Compare deals at my postcodeHow to switch broadband provider in five steps
Check when your contract ends and what your exit fee is
Log into your account online or call your provider and ask for your contract end date and your current early termination charge. If your contract has already ended or ends within the next 30 days, you can switch immediately for free. If you are mid-contract, weigh the exit fee against how much you would save by switching now.
If your provider raised prices mid-contract, you may be able to exit for free within 30 days of notificationCompare deals available at your specific address
What is available varies by postcode. A deal that looks great nationally may not be available at your address, or may offer different speeds than advertised. Always check using a postcode comparison tool rather than trusting headline numbers. Look at speed, upload speed if you work from home, contract length, and the full-term price including any post-introductory increases.
Check the price after any introductory period, not just the first-six-months rateSign up with your new provider online
Once you have chosen your new deal, sign up directly with the provider. You will need your address, payment details, and sometimes your current account number to speed up the transfer. Your new provider will give you an activation date, typically one to two weeks away.
You do not need to call your old provider at this stageYour new provider handles the rest
The new provider contacts your old one and arranges the switch. Your old broadband stays active until the new connection goes live. An engineer visit may be required if you are getting full fibre installed for the first time or switching between incompatible network types. Your provider will tell you whether this is needed.
Switching between Virgin Media and Openreach-based providers may involve a brief gap in serviceReturn your old router
Most providers require their router back within 30 days of your switch completing. They will usually send a prepaid returns bag. Do not ignore this. Missing the return window typically results in a charge of £40 to £80. Keep the original packaging if you can as it makes returns straightforward.
Set a calendar reminder to return your old router within the deadlineShould you switch now or wait until your contract ends?
Exit fees are the main reason people put off switching. They are real and can be significant, but they are also predictable. Here is how to work out whether switching now or waiting makes more financial sense for you.
Typical exit fee scenarios and how to think about them
You are on a rolling arrangement, likely at a higher price than you were paying mid-contract
Small fee for early exit vs savings from switching now
Exit fee: ~£210. Annual saving after switching: £132
Ofcom rules give you the right to exit within 30 days of notification
Exit fee: ~£80. Saving by waiting 2 months: £0 extra cost
The calculation is always the same. Compare the total you would spend staying with your current provider until the contract ends against the total cost of switching now including the exit fee. If switching now saves money overall, do it. If waiting saves money, set a reminder for your contract end date and come back to compare then.
How much can you actually save by switching broadband?
Providers consistently offer their best deals to new customers and reserve worse renewal prices for existing ones. The gap between what a new customer pays and what a loyal out-of-contract customer pays at the same provider is typically £10 to £20 per month. Over a year that is £120 to £240 in savings for doing nothing more than switching.
| Scenario | Current monthly cost | Typical new customer rate | Annual saving |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-contract superfast, 36Mb | £42 to £48/month | £25 to £30/month | £144 to £276/year |
| Out-of-contract superfast, 67Mb | £46 to £52/month | £28 to £34/month | £144 to £288/year |
| Switching to full fibre from FTTC | £38 to £44/month (FTTC) | £28 to £38/month (full fibre) | £0 to £192/year + faster speeds |
| Still in contract, staying put | Current rate | N/A | £0, wait for contract end |
The loyalty penalty is real and providers rely on you not switching
When a fixed-term broadband contract ends, most providers automatically move you to a more expensive monthly rolling arrangement without making this obvious. Many customers do not notice because the direct debit stays the same amount for a few months before quietly increasing. Providers rely on inertia. The customers who switch regularly almost always pay less than those who stay loyal, and the service they receive is identical because it runs on the same physical infrastructure.
The one thing worth trying before switching is calling your current provider and telling them you are about to leave. Retention teams often have access to deals that are not publicly advertised, and a 10-minute call can sometimes result in a price reduction that makes staying worthwhile. If they cannot match the best deal you have found elsewhere, switch without guilt. Loyalty is not rewarded in the broadband market.
Use our broadband comparison tool to see what new customer deals are available at your address right now. It is the fastest way to know exactly how much you could save and what you would be switching to.
Questions people ask
Check your contract end date, compare deals at your postcode, sign up with your new provider, and they handle the rest. You do not need to contact your old provider first. Your service stays live until the new connection activates, typically one to two weeks later.
In most cases no. Switching between providers on the Openreach network is usually seamless with no gap in service. Switching between Virgin Media and an Openreach provider, or vice versa, may involve a brief gap as these are separate physical networks. Your new provider will tell you what to expect.
Yes, but you will typically pay an exit fee equal to your remaining months. The exception is if your provider raised prices mid-contract, in which case you have the right to exit within 30 days of notification without penalty. Always check your exact exit fee before deciding.
Typically one to two weeks from signing up with your new provider to activation. If an engineer visit is required for a new full fibre installation, scheduling can take slightly longer. Your provider will give you an activation date when you sign up.
Usually yes, within 30 days of your switch completing. Your old provider will send a returns bag. Missing the return window typically results in a charge of £40 to £80. Keep your original packaging and set a reminder to avoid this.
If you are out of contract or close to it, savings of £10 to £20 per month are common when switching to a competitive new customer deal. That is £120 to £240 per year. The exact saving depends on what you are currently paying and what is available at your address.
Related deals and guides
Ready to find a better deal?
Compare every broadband deal available at your address right now. See new customer pricing and find out exactly how much you could save.
Compare deals at my postcode