Trying to upgrade to 1.6Gbps EE from out-of-contract 900Mbps BT and told it is not possible

[mike63uk]

I have just spent ages on a call trying to upgrade my broadband from BT 900Mbps to EE Premium 1.6Gbps with the Smart Hub 7 Pro Router to be told that this is not possible for existing customers.  I was told I need to cancel my current BT contract and take out a new EE contract, I don't want to do this as I would lose my BT email and also cannot be without service as I work from home.  The only offer I could get was an offer of EE 900Mbps Ulimate including the Pro router for £1 less than the price of 1.6Gbps Premium, I don't need or require the Home Visist included in the Premium package.  Does anybody know if this limitation is going to be removed soon?  I can get faster and cheaper broadbad from our local altnet, but as I have been a BT customer for 40 years I would like to stay with them if they can sort out their ordering systems.

[Kimberlin]

@mike63uk 

Please don’t take this the wrong way, but I find it interesting that you think loyalty somehow might have a bearing in all of this. I highly suspect that ultimately BT wouldn’t care less whether you’ve been a customer for 40 years or otherwise.

You could migrate to EE, ultimately, it’s questionable as to whether you’d actually be leaving BT at all, they are it now seems, one and the same, so what is the issue? Is it just the name of the company?

You can keep your BT email on a premium basis if you leave BT, but you’d have to pay for it, around £90 a year I believe?

My Wife WFH and we’ve successfully switched from BT to PN using OTS without any dramas whatsoever and absolutely no loss of service, though admittedly we don’t have a landline.

At the end of the day, it’s your choice, your decision, but I wouldn’t let any form of so called loyalty cloud your decision.

[chrisjp]

If you've been refused EE Premium 1.6Gbps with the Smart Hub 7 Pro Router, but have been offered EE 900Mbps Ulimate including the Pro router for £1 less than the price of 1.6Gbps Premium, then I think you should take that.
BT's/EE's sales practices are undeniably irritating but I very much doubt if you'll notice any difference between 900Mbps and 1.6 Gbps, unless you have a house full of teenage gamers!

[Anonymous]

Sadly you can't get something that doesn't exist...it's a stretch BT offering 900mbps given the ability of the SH2 so they certainly don't offer 1.6 Gbps

If you really need this type of speed then you'll have to leave  BT.

On a side note the EE wifi 7 router is available to buy on Ebay. 

[mike63uk]

I know I need to switch to EE, but they will switch me to 900Mbps EE but not 1.6Gbps EE without cancelling and starting from scratch.

[Kimberlin]

@mike63uk 

That is correct. If you migrate to EE, it will be set up as a brand new contract, most likely for 24 months as most ISP contracts now appear to be.

I feel you’re very worried about loss of service. It’s likely it will be problem free and almost seamless.

Honestly? I suspect you have little to fear. Just make sure you know fully what you’re signing up to.

[Anonymous]

Best wait till your contract ends then.

I know from experience that there's little or no difference between 500mbps and 900mbps so this rationale probably applies going from 900mbps to 1.6Gbps.

[Kimberlin]

@mike63uk 

Be aware that if you are still in contract with BT, depending on how long you’ve left remaining, even though you’re with BT, if you switched to EE, they might pay Early Termination Fees up to £300.

https://ee.co.uk/help/broadband/getting-started/early-cancellation-credit

[iniltous]

if BT suggest the change to EE and arrange it is one thing , someone using the regular migration process, so without BT controlling the migration then the normal principles apply as far as ETC , returning equipment ,  email access restrictions unless payment is arranged separately for premium access etc.
I suppose one way to consider is to use BT to migrate to EE at 900Mb , then upgrade to 1.6Gb once confirmed as an EE customer , although once with EE , there will be no guarantee what price the upgrade to 1.6Gb will be

[Kimberlin]

@mike63uk 

Also, be aware, if you switch or migrate to another ISP now, you’ll see the annual annoying £4 increase on your bills from April. Irrespective, there’s still the annual increase whatever you do, just be aware of it in your decision.