Guide to broadband and moving home

If you're planning to move home, sorting out your broadband and other bills and utilities is vital. What speed can you expect? Can you cancel or port your contract? Will you stick with the same ISP? Is an Openreach fibre line available, or will you be using Virgin Media?

There's much to think about before moving, but a little forethought and planning goes a long way. Christian Cawley, a contributor at Broadband Genie, has provided us with the steps to follow.

Check Broadband Speed and Coverage at the New Address

It makes sense to know in advance what broadband speed to expect. As you'll know the postcode of your new property, it should be straightforward to check your new speed.

You can use an availability checker to see what broadband is available at your intended home. Simply enter the postcode and wait for the results.

In most cases you'll see a choice of multiple broadband packages, usually on an Openreach (BT) telephone line. Take the time to research which package suits you best and sign up to it.

Openreach or Virgin Media - How This Affects Your Move

A new house can often mean faster broadband. You can probably get fibre broadband from an Openreach telephone line, but if your new home is in a Virgin Media or “full fibre” area, the speed increases might be considerable.

If you're happy enough to receive a standard 10-11Mpbs ADSL broadband package, that's fair enough. But if you're a heavy streamer or online gamer, then superfast broadband internet will be important to you.

In fact, if neither Openreach fibre nor Virgin Media are available to your new home, you might reconsider moving! You can however use an availability checker.

Cancel Your Broadband Contract, or Stick With Your Current ISP?

Should the broadband speed of the property you're moving to be markedly faster than your current speed, you might wish to cancel your current contract and switch. This is particularly likely if you're moving to a home with Virgin Media broadband from one without, or vice versa.

Usually, cancelling your contract will depend on how long you have had it. If you're on the first 12-24 months, for example, leaving will typically incur a fee. On the other hand, if you're beyond the initial period there should be no charge for leaving. Find out by visiting your My Account page on your ISP's website, or ask customer services.

In many cases it is possible to migrate your existing ISP deal to a new property. If not, you will probably still have to pay an early cancellation fee if you’re currently in contract.

Are Any Charges Associated With Moving?

If you're simply switching an ongoing broadband account from one property to another, then there often is no charge. Some providers do levy a charge for this, though they may also waive it if you agree to sign up for another 12, 18 or 24 month term.

However, aside from charges associated with contract cancellation, there may be a fee for setting up a new connection. For example, moving to a property with Virgin Media fibre access that has never been connected to the Virgin Media network will require cabling to be installed. It is likely this work will incur a charge. There would also be a cost in the unlikely event that your new property does not have a BT telephone line.

Before moving, take the time to research your broadband options, speak to your existing ISP, and see what they can do. There is enough to do when moving to a new house without complicating things with broadband issues, so try and make things as seamless as possible.

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