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How to switch business broadband provider
Over a hundred business broadband providers in the UK are competing to offer the best services at the most competitive prices. With so many choices available, switching providers can sometimes help your business secure better deals.
Here’s our complete guide to switching from one business broadband provider to another.
💡 If you use our business broadband comparison service, our experts will help manage your switch to avoid any disruption.
1. Review current contract
Most business broadband contracts include a minimum contract period during which cancellation requires payment of an exit fee.
These fees are typically high enough that it isn’t worth switching broadband providers until the contract expires.
2. Choose a new provider
Research new business broadband providers, considering speed requirements, reliability, coverage, customer support, and additional services like VoIP phone systems.
Use our business broadband comparison service to talk to our experts about the best options for a business broadband provider in your area.
3. Sign your new contract
Sign a contract with your new business broadband provider. As part of the onboarding process, your new provider will confirm whether they can automatically switch your existing broadband connection or whether a new installation is required.
If no installation is required, the switch date will typically be scheduled within two weeks.
4. Installation (if required)
If a new installation is required, your new provider will schedule a time for engineers to visit your property to set up your new connection.
Read our full guide to business broadband installations to understand this process and the typical timescales involved.
5. Old contract termination
If you are upgrading your connection type, it’s important to schedule the end date of your current contract to avoid loss of connection.
We recommend having a fully functional new connection before contacting your existing provider to request termination of your existing contract.
6. Testing new connection
When does switching business broadband providers require a new installation?
A new installation is always required when upgrading business broadband to a new tethered connection type.
Read our guide to business broadband installations to understand the work and timescales required for different types of connections.
Where your business is switching to a new broadband provider but maintaining the same connection, the switch may not require any physical installation.
Here’s a guide to when a physical installation is typically required when switching business fibre optic broadband connections:
| Old connection | New connection | Switching involves |
|---|---|---|
| SoGEA Openreach | SoGEA Openreach | No change in connection, can be done remotely. |
| Full Fibre Openreach | Full Fibre Openreach | No change in connection, can be done remotely. |
| Full Fibre Openreach | Full Fibre Others | Engineer visit required to install new connection. |
| Full Fibre Others | Full Fibre Openreach | Engineer visit required to install new connection. |
| Leased line broadband | Leased line (any network) | Always requires installation of a new dedicated cable. |
Will there be an interruption during a business broadband switch?
If you are upgrading your broadband connection, we recommend planning your switch with an overlap so you maintain your current connection until your new business broadband is fully operational.
If you are simply switching providers on an existing Openreach connection, you should only expect a brief interruption to connectivity.
It’s important to consider plans for a temporary backup connection in case switching business broadband providers causes problems.
5G business broadband dongles can provide a failover connection in case of issues with your switch.
Do I need to upgrade hardware when switching business broadband providers?
When switching to a new business broadband provider, your new provider will typically deliver a new business broadband router before your connection goes live.
However, we recommend considering whether other hardware, like network switches and mesh networks, are compatible with your new business broadband connection.