Five reasons to change broadband provider
We outline some of the many reasons to change broadband provider, from reliability to value.
While apocalyptic newspaper headlines and social media angst routinely paint a negative picture of modern life, there are some positives about today’s technology-driven society.
We live in a golden age of media content, as streaming platforms and terrestrial broadcasters alike generate unprecedented quantities of high-calibre television.
Despite the latest cost-of-living crisis, living standards have been improved immeasurably by consumer technologies like smart doorbells, tablet computers and 5G-enabled phones.
Home broadband also operates at a speed and with a reliability previous generations would barely have believed possible, while advances in WiFi make it more dependable than ever.
Yet some homes still experience sluggish or unreliable connections, while ISPs aren’t necessarily improving on their historic customer service standards.
Five common reasons to change broadband provider
When you decide to change provider, there are plenty of good broadband firms competing for custom, as even a cursory search on BroadbandDeals.co.uk will confirm.
On paper, they all offer comparable line speeds according to the abilities of each property’s local exchange, and headline prices are probably – though not always – competitive.
As such, it’s interesting to consider some of the most common reasons to change broadband provider – as well as the attributes you should seek in a replacement ISP to resolve these issues.
1. Slow line speeds.
Rather like an unreliable car, a slow internet connection can be a deal-breaker, irrespective of how affordable it is or how supportive customer service staff are.
Many older properties still provide a straight choice between sluggish ADSL connections or proprietary fibre broadband. Run a line speed check if you’re unsure of current performance.
What to look for: Average line speeds far in excess of your current provider, which will almost certainly involve a different connection into the home via a non-Openreach network.
2. Disappointing customer service.
ISPs have had many years to streamline their service, and yet surveys continually show some organisations don’t communicate effectively with either customers or themselves.
From billing errors and broken promises through to clogged call centres and chatbots unable to answer even basic questions, customer service issues remain a key weakness among some ISPs.
What to look for: Trustpilot and Google publish honest customer reviews. Also investigate whether a potential new ISP has UK-based call centres with long opening hours.
3. Patchy network coverage.
Broadband connections may drop out due to various reasons – a router which can only support a few connected devices, signal interference, poor WiFi coverage, and so forth.
Few things will irritate a customer more than buffering or latency caused by a weak or unreliable signal, with the latter potentially caused by faulty cabling outside the home.
What to look for: Does a new ISP offer mesh extenders, routers with external aerials or a whole-home coverage promise? Could you piggyback a third-party router off their supplied device?
4. Relatively poor value.
Broadband services are generally well-priced in the UK’s competitive market, but don’t just study headline monthly fees when making a financially driven decision to switch ISPs.
Another company might offer slower line speeds at cheaper rates, or bundle in extra goodies like SIM cards or streaming subscriptions. They could simply offer more for less than your current provider.
What to look for: Check mid-contract price rises before signing up, which have to be published in advance, and consider what monthly costs will add up to after any introductory deals end.
5. Relocation.
This is less of a negative factor than the ones previously mentioned, but it’s no less significant. Moving house – either temporarily or permanently – often instigates a switch of ISP.
Maybe your current provider isn’t available in your new region, especially if you’re moving to or from the East Riding. Perhaps their service is worse elsewhere, or other ISPs are more prevalent.
What to look for: Use our postcode search tool to determine which ISPs are active in a particular location, the average line speeds they can deliver, and their charges.
