Our switch guide will provide vital information and advice for those who consider changing their provider. Our step-by-step and easy to understand guide will help you to fully understand the things beneath the switching procedure and accomplish it as smoothly as possible.

Before you go for this extreme option, we would like you to examine the reasons for which you have made this decision. There could be valid reasons like poor service, lack of features you require or your current package may sound a bit expensive. If your provider offers packages that can meet your requirements better than the current package, you can consider upgrading to another package with better features instead of changing the provider.

Can you find a better package with your current provider? This simple step might solve most of your problems unless you are completely disgusted with the service quality of your provider. In that case, we suggest you to change your provider without the slightest hesitation.

Upgrading your package often helps you to get better speed, more usage limit or features like wireless compatibility or business features. Check whether your current provider offers any recent package that can meet your needs. We have listed all the packages of major UK ISPs in our detailed broadband suppliers comparison table which is up-to-date and can help you find the recent packages launched by your provider.

Like to add wireless features to your package? Want to wi-fi your broadband connection? Read our article on wireless broadband and we have also provided a comparison table exclusively for wireless packages available in the UK.

If you look for a package with business features like email, webspace and advanced security, search in business broadband category which can help you to know whether your provider offers packages to suit your needs.

As broadband prices are falling everyday, there are chances that you can get a higher speed package with additional features for the same monthly charges that you are currently paying.

When you upgrade your service with your current provider, it means your connection speed or download limit or both is increased. Upgrading your service with your existing provider generally involves minimum down time which means you will not suffer from any loss of service that will test your patience.

Most ADSL providers will allow you to go with the minimum contract of the new package although you are already in a contract. Some providers would allow you to upgrade your service only after a contract period of one month.

Upgrading your service with your current provider has a few advantages. Broadband providers slash the broadband charges frequently. In addition to higher speed or more download limit, you also get price discount and special offers. Moreover, this procedure is simple and easy. All you have to do is to ask your provider to make changes in your package. After a minimum downtime, your service will be upgraded.

• Read the terms and conditions of your existing service. Different ISPs have different upgrading procedures, terms and conditions, so it is always a good idea that you are well aware of them.
• If your connection is ADSL, it is possible that you may be asked to pay some charges for upgrading. Again, check the terms and conditions of your ISP.
• Generally upgrading will come into effect from the month that follows. This is to enable the ISP to avoid complications in billing.
• Some ISPs may insist that you should be in minimum one month contract before you go for upgrading. This generally happens when you are a customer of Virgin Media.
• When you are in middle of a contract and you upgrade your package, either the old contract will resume or the minimum contract of new package will begin on the date of upgrading. Again, different ISPs have norms, so check them.

Sometimes you may find your current service very horrible, connection speed unreliable, price too expensive and upgrading your service with your current provider not so useful. This is the time you may consider switching to another provider to find alternative package in terms of better price and higher speed. Switching or migrating to another provider can be money-saving if you find the best deal that caters your needs but it involves fair amount of market research, shopping around and reading broadband reviews.

All UK broadband providers follow a Migration Authorisation Code (MAC) process the rules of which are laid down by Ofcom. MAC is a special identifier that helps the customers to switch from one broadband service provider to another broadband service provider without any loss of service.

If you want to change your ISP, ask them to issue MAC. But don't cancel your existing service.

Your current provider should give you MAC within five days. Remember, the MAC is valid for one month from the date of issue.

You should give the MAC to your new ISP you wish to migrate. Your new ISP will forward the MAC to your existing provider and will let you know of the transfer date.

Downtime for MAC process usually does not exceed more than half-an hour. Down time means the loss of service during the switch process. You can also ask new provider about the likelihood of any downtime.

As per new rules of Ofcom, all the broadband providers are required to issue the customers with a MAC upon request. However if you have difficulties in getting MAC, do the following things:

If the contract period with your current provider is not over and you want to switch, you are required to pay remainder of your existing contract or a cancellation fee. So, read the terms and conditions of your current provider.

You can contact the customer service of your ISP and inform them of your decision to switch and ask for MAC. Even after numerous requests, if they make undue delay in issuing MAC, you should make a formal complaint to the ISP through the normal complains process.

You can also make complaint to Ofcom or Otelo which may consider your complaint if your current provider is their member.

Check the contract length

Generally all ISPs make you commit to certain length of period when you take up their packages. It may be 12 months or 18 months. If you are currently in such a contract, switching may become a little complicated. You are generally expected to pay a cancellation fee to get MAC number. You can also check the terms and conditions of your current provider.

Check the availability of the new service

If you move between ADSL services, the availability of provider and particular package depend on the exchange near to your premises and BT line. Certain packages (like 24 mb broadband) may not be available if your premises are not in proximity to exchange. You should check the availability of broadband provider you wish to switch to. Click here to check the availability.

If you wish to move to cable broadband service, cable lines should be available in your area. To check the availability of the packages available in your area, click here.

In UK, there are mainly three types of migrations.

• You migrate from ADSL broadband to another ADSL broadband
• You migrate from ADSL broadband to cable broadband
• You migrate from cable broadband to ADSL broadband

The widespread BT's network made ADSL broadband available everywhere in UK. There are a number of ADSL broadband providers who offer excellent packages with special offers. Most ADSL broadband providers offer an expensive modem or router free of cost if you sign up for 12 months or 18 months.

In order to switch to another ADSL broadband follow the MAC process which means obtain the MAC number from your current provider and pass on to the new provider. This kind of switch does not take more than a week's time.

Cable lines provide this kind of broadband and they are generally available in most parts of UK. When you switch to cable broadband, you need to cancel the existing ADSL broadband but this procedure does not prevent you from using BT phone line or your existing number. You should order cable broadband in advance before you leave ADSL as this will prevent any loss of service between switch. Cable broadband also requires a cable modem which is generally supplied by your cable broadband provider. The installation is usually done by an engineer.

If you wish to move between cable broadband and ADSL broadband, you need BT network in your area. You can have both the services simultaneously as both services come into your house over different wires. Before you switch to ADSL, you need to cancel the existing service which means you will have temporary loss of service. However, this can be avoided, if you order new package well in advance before you leave ADSL.

Installation of ADSL service is as simple as anything. Your provider will send you the start-up package and you can do the rest of the things yourself.