Switching broadband gets easier

If you're looking to switch broadband providers, you'll be pleased to know the process is getting a whole lot easier from now on.

Last December, Ofcom, the industry regulator, imposed a new General Condition, GC22, "governing the obligations of broadband providers to customers who are seeking to migrate between DSL-based broadband services". GC22 came into force today, 14 February 2007.

This obliges all broadband providers to abide by the MAC (migration authorization code) system for switching broadband providers. Where the MAC process is not applicable (eg cable broadband) Ofcom says that "...communications providers are required to facilitate migration in a fair and reasonable manner, ensuring that migration is carried out within reasonable timescales and with minimal loss of service."

Previously, the MAC process was voluntary for ADSL broadband providers. In the MAC's favour, it worked well for most ADSL broadband switchers. The existing broadband provider would provide, on a consumer's request, a code that identifed their phone line. The consumer would then give this MAC to their new broadband provider. This would allow the new ISP to manage the changover, often reducing offline time during the switchover to only a few minutes.

Unfortunately as it was voluntary not every ISP provided MACs, and some switchers had to cancel one broadband contract, and be without any broadband at all until the entirely new broadband was set up. Not surprisingly many people simply didn't bother switching at all as the hassle factor was too much (not to mention the prospect of several days returning to dial up while waiting for the new broadband package to be set up!)

All broadband providers will now have to use MACs where applicable, and they have to give you a MAC within five days of you requesting it. They're not allowed to charge you anything for switching, either (though even after you switch they can still pursue you for cobntractual rights, so make sure you're out of the initial broadband contract when you start switching provider).

With so many cheap or superfast broadband deals around now it's not surprising that the clamour to improve the broadband switching process has grown. Now that the MAC process is compulsory, with large potential fines for breaching the conditions, switching broadband providers should become a whole lot easier for a lot of people.

If you want to switch, or simply to see if there's a better or cheaper broadband deal out there for you, visit my broadband comparision website UK Broadband Finder and find out about broadband availability in your area.

By the way, anyone still having problems switching broadband providers is encouraged to contact Ofcom - they can't investigate individual complaints about ISPs but they can build up a picture of trends, and if particular broadband suppliers keep popping up they can investigate then.

By Sarah, at UK Broadband Finder

Virgin Media launches

Virgin Media - created from NTL, Telewest and Virgin - has now launched in the UK.

The new tagline is Watch it, Surf it, Talk it, Walk it so expect to see/hear that on a billboard, TV or radio station near you soon... along with some very cool adverts starring Uma Thurman.

And if you though the new Sky offer of broadband, TV and phone was a great deal at £26 per month, wait til you see Virgin Media's £40 a month bundle - broadband, TV, phone, mobile.

Virgin Media is offering:

• Broadband: blisteringly fast broadband. Unlimited downloads.
• TV: Crystal clear TV - plus 500 films at your beck and call.
• Phone: Flexible plan. Fair pricing. No phoney baloney.
• Mobile: a different kind of mobile service that's flexible and fun.

In a selection of packages so there's sure to be one that suits you.

View packages and bundles from Virgin Media.

Or check out a range of broadband providers and broadband packages on my broadband comparison website ukbroadbandfinder.com

By Sarah, at UK Broadband Finder

Cheap broadband packages

With many people looking for a new home broadband package as part of that new year financial resolution, now is a good time to look over some current cheap broadband deals.

First of all, if you're switching from an existing broadband provider, make sure you are out of the initial contract - often 12 months, but sometimes 18 months or more.

Then you can start checking out the lower cost broadband options. Prices have come down significantly and it is perfectly possible to get broadband for under £15 a month.

BT Total Broadband Option 1 is only £9.95 for the first six months, then £17.99 per month. You will have to sign up for 18 months though. Download speed is up to 8Mb. There's free connection and a 20GB usage guideline.

AOL Broadband Silver is only £14.99 per month - the "up to" download speed recently went from 1Mb to 2Mb, and if you sign up now you'll also receive a wireless router worth over £55! So no more messy cables, and you can use your laptop anywhere around the home.

With Be Lite you get download speeds of up to 24Mb. The package is only £14 per month, though currently Be broadband is only avaialble in certain parts of the UK. You can check here to see if your exchange can get Be broadband yet.

Orange Broadband Starter is great if you are new to broadband and is only £14.99 per month. You get up to 2Mb download speeds and there's a 30 day money back guarantee.

PipexMini is only £14.99 per month. That's broadband from only 50p a day! There's 2GB download allowance and download speeds of up to 8Mb. There's also two FREE months (or a free modem) when you switch your broadband to Pipex.

Tiscali's up to 2Mb broadband package is ideal if you use the internet reguarly - and it is also only £14.99 per month. There's unlimited monthly usage (fair use policy applies) and free modem and connection.

You can also find out more about cheap broadband deals on my broadband comparison website ukbroadbandfinder.com.

Broadband prices can be even cheaper if you take a bundle, eg broadband and phone. For bundled broadband and phone (some with low cost broadband) visit my broadband bundles page.

By Sarah, at UK Broadband Finder

Virgin Media and more

Last year it was announced that the new Telewest, NTL and Virgin company would be branded as Virgin Media. The new company is soon to launch its products - heralding a year of fantastic entertainment and communications consumer offers from a range of companies.

Virgin Media will offer what they call a quadplay - of digital TV, broadband, mobile phone and home phone. For NTL / Telewest / Virgin this is a chance to put behind them the years of cable mergers and move forward with bundled entertainment and communications packages that benefit from the customer service Virgin is renowned for. Keep an eye out for the Virgin Media launch.

Companies are increasingly bundling together entertainment and communications products as it helps them attract new customers (one bill at a great price) and retain existing ones (especially as there are now so many excellent standalone deals around - BT broadband for £9.95 a month, anyone?).

Sky has got in quick with its new See, Surf, Speak bundle - over 100 digital TV channels, UP TO 8Mb broadband and free UK evening and weekend landline calls. All this for just £26 a month, plus a one-off broadband activation fee of £20 (plus £11 per month to BT for your line rental.) Find out more about SKY here.

Another broadband company soon to be offering TV is Tiscali as part of its triple play offering. One of the UK's largest broadband providers, Tiscali bought TV/video on demand/broadband/phone provider Homechoice last year and will be offering a TV service more widely in the next few months (it is currently offering it to a select group of customers only). Homechoice has only been available in parts of London and Stevenage but Tiscali TV should be available much more widely when it launches. Tiscali TV isn't available yet but you can check out current Tiscali broadband and broadband-and-phone bundles here on my broadband comparision website www.ukbroadbandfinder.com.

By Sarah, at UK Broadband Finder

Broadband FAQs

If you're finding the world of broadband a bit confusing don't worry because help is at hand.

On my broadband comparison website www.ukbroadbandfinder.com there is a big broadband frequently asked questions section where you can find out what is ADSL, the difference between a Meg and a Gig, and, if you're really interested, what local loop unbundling is.

There are also links to a load of broadband articles and on-site broadband blog posts I've written about broadband and related issues, so you can find out more and feel that bit more confident whether you're looking for your first broadband package, or if you're switching broadband provider.

There is also separate section on business broadband FAQs too.

By Sarah, at UK Broadband Finder