This topic

Switching to another provider

spottydog10 — Mon, 03 Mar 2025 21:52:12 GMT

Our BT contract Fibre 2 ends on 10th April.
I looked at the upgrade offer which says £31.04 for 24 months but underneath that is written from 31st March 2026 £34.04. I tried to call BT today to clarify and got an answerphone, which has made me look for alternatives.

I have decided to move to a new provider and my question is: When do I order the new package from the other provider? I don't want to leave it too late and risk an interruption in service but also don't want to leave too early and pay an exit fee to BT.

Any advice please? Thanks, Mike

Re: Switching to another provider

iniltous — Mon, 03 Mar 2025 22:03:05 GMT

You do realise that almost every provider has annual increases built in , so whoever you switch to will put the price up during your time with them .

What exactly did you want clarification on ? , seems pretty clear the price is £ 31.04 until March next year ( 2026 ) and then goes up by £3 a month

The chances of getting switched totter new provider on the exact anniversary date of starting your BT deal is slim , but a day or two out of contract price or a day or two of early termination charges won’t be much .

If you want to switch around 10th April , you need to sign up with someone else around 14 days before that date

Re: Switching to another provider

chrisjp — Mon, 03 Mar 2025 23:14:46 GMT

£31.04 per month going to £34.04/month is a pretty good price - a lot of FTTC customers are paying £50+/month having been "upgraded" to Halo deals.
Not sure you'll do much better with another provider. You may save up to 10/month, but is it worth that for the hassle and possible interuption of service?

Re: Switching to another provider

spottydog10 — Mon, 03 Mar 2025 23:38:29 GMT

£31.04 for 24 months brings us to March 2027 but the price rise is from 2026?
Maybe I don't understand the corporate jargon.

The other provider has a guaranteed 12 months no price rise.

Thanks for the info on exiting, Mike

Re: Switching to another provider

Crimliar — Tue, 04 Mar 2025 02:59:54 GMT

But on a 24-month contract, you can switch again in April 2027!

Re: Switching to another provider

garybs29 — Tue, 04 Mar 2025 07:34:43 GMT

So the other ptovider guarantees no price rises until March 2026 same as the BT renewal. I nonestly don't understand what you mean by the corporate jargon swipe either it's very clear

Re: Switching to another provider

iniltous — Tue, 04 Mar 2025 10:17:56 GMT

If you join BT in March 2025 the price increase is in 12 months (March 2026 ) that’s the same as the new provider offering no increase for 12 months , you don’t say if the new provider is a 12 or 24 months minimum term , if it’s a 12 month term , that’s obviously more flexible in that you should be able to leave penalty free on 12 month instead of 24 with BT .

I don’t see what the problem is, certainly no advantage with the new ISP you are considering as far as the length of time before the price increase, what ISP is the one you are considering and what us the minimum term ? , not many have no increases for the entire minimum term , so who is it you are potentially moving to ?

Re: Switching to another provider

spottydog10 — Tue, 04 Mar 2025 16:52:12 GMT

This is the deal from BeFibre.
The reviews seem pretty decent but you cant tell until you get the service.
BeFibre 500Mbps £26 a month no increase in 18 months

Re: Switching to another provider

imjolly — Tue, 04 Mar 2025 16:49:55 GMT

Please delete befibre advert as not permitted on forum or mods will

Re: Switching to another provider

spottydog10 — Tue, 04 Mar 2025 16:52:46 GMT

Sorry, I've deleted the picture.

Re: Switching to another provider

iniltous — Wed, 05 Mar 2025 09:40:41 GMT

BeFibre are an Alternate Network, so no discussion about them on this forum is appropriate, as far as price increases etc you would need to consult them or possible if they have a community forum ask there …..in you shoes personally I would wait until their service is in and working before cancelling Openreach connection in case they fail to install on the agreed date , leaving you with no service from anyone but that’s your choice …otherwise , as you are not switching Openreach providers , personally I would give 30 days notice but if you use the OTS , one touch switching system ( assuming your Alt Net uses that ) you really need to ask them , it’s really got nothing to do with BT , if you simply call BT yourself to cancel , it’s 30 days notice , if you use OTS , ask your new provider

Re: Switching to another provider

spottydog10 — Wed, 05 Mar 2025 16:19:04 GMT

Good point Iniltious, I contacted the other provider who said:

"We're enrolled in the OFCOM one touch switch system. This is designed to ensure a seamless transfer on your connection date from your old provider to your new provider.
In our case, we install a brand new line to your premises which means your Openreach line provided to BT has more chance of running alongside your service with us than being cut off before we're installed.
We only request the previous provider cease when your service with us is active."

Re: Switching to another provider

iniltous — Wed, 05 Mar 2025 16:36:10 GMT

TBH , they are simply reiterating the way OTS should work , the OTS system doesn’t inform the old provider until the new provider gives the nod that they have successfully installed their service.
10-14 days before the expiration of your current minimum term is when you should speak to the new provider, but a few days before or after won’t cost much ….

If ETC or the paying the out if contract price is an extra 50p per day , if the change is 3 days early or 3 days later than ideal , £1.50 is hardly a hardship.

Re: Switching to another provider

Crimliar — Wed, 05 Mar 2025 21:50:38 GMT

@iniltouswrote:
the OTS system doesn’t inform the old provider until the new provider gives the nod that they have successfully installed their service.

There is a flowchart titled "SW1 - One Touch Switch", available as a .pdf, which suggests the above is not at all how this procedure is designed to work

Re: Switching to another provider

iniltous — Wed, 05 Mar 2025 22:40:24 GMT

From the flow chart

SW1.34 GP Receive Order completion

e.g. KCI3

(I) confirms service provision complete,service activated and working

(I) informs hub of ‘switch complete’ (to trigger LP(s) to cease service and billing)

Seems pretty clear to me ,