Moving broadband to a new home
Everything to know about taking your broadband package with you
*Average speeds are based on the download speeds of at least 50% of customers at peak time (8pm to 10pm). Speed can be affected by a range of technical and environmental factors. The speed you receive where you live may be lower than that listed above. You can check the estimated speed to your property prior to purchasing.
Fibre/cable services at your postcode are subject to availability. You can confirm availability on the provider's website.
Some broadband providers may increase monthly prices each year during your contract. Please refer to individual broadband provider's terms and conditions before signing up.
Providers that offer no upfront cost broadband include: Virgin Media, BT, TalkTalk, Plusnet, Vodafone and Community Fibre.
It’s worth noting that some providers offer no upfront cost packages as standard. While others relinquish setup costs for a limited time – usually as part of a special offer.
Deals with no upfront costs are available on various types of broadband, including ADSL broadband, fibre broadband, plus broadband and home phone bundles. They are less common on TV packages, though, so bear this in mind if TV is particularly important to you.
Lastly, it’s important to note that no upfront cost deals won’t necessarily be the cheapest. Often, providers request a higher sum upfront in exchange for a lower monthly premium, so bear this in mind before you pick a deal.
Installation costs can be expensive, especially if you need a new phone line installed at your home. To that end, a no upfront cost broadband deal is a good way to save money in the short term
If you don't have money to hand to pay for installation or to cover the upfront cost of a router, broadband with no upfront cost will get you online with no major outlay
There are plenty of broadband deals with no upfront fees available. So you can take your pick from household-name brands
Deals with no set-up costs aren’t necessarily the cheapest packages overall. Sometimes, providers will offer a higher set-up fee in exchange for a lower monthly subscription.
Some full fibre packages require a more complex installation, so you may need to pay for an engineer visit
You may not qualify for vouchers and reward cards, which are often available for switching customers willing to pay a small upfront fee.. Read more in our broadband with free gifts guide
There are three simple steps to compare broadband deals and switch providers
Ensure you're no longer within the minimum terms of the contract length with your current broadband provider. You can find out by looking at your original contract, confirmation email, or by contacting their customer service.
We algorithmically sort broadband packages based on your location, the speed you'd get, and how much it costs.
Your new provider should contact your current provider and arrange the switch for you. And you'll receive letters and emails updating you on this.
Absolutely. And better still, we've gathered our pick of the best broadband deals with nothing to pay upfront in the deals table on this page. So you can see them at a glance.
You may find deals with no upfront cost on all kinds of broadband packages, including fibre broadband, and even bundles with phone lines and TV.
However, bear in mind that you may be charged postage for a new router or any other equipment. And you’ll have to pay a monthly subscription for your broadband service – the connection itself isn’t free.
When you opt for a broadband deal, there are a few different upfront fees which you could end up incurring. These include:
Installation charge- An installation charge, also known as a broadband installation fee, refers to the amount you may need to pay for an engineer to come and install your broadband. This usually only applies when you require a brand new phone line or are switching to full fibre, which requires more than simply plugging in a router.
Additional installation fees – If you need a new line installed, especially if it’s full fibre, and your property is a little difficult to connect, extra fees may apply. This can include the cost of additional cabling or equipment.
Activation fee- Some suppliers charge consumers an activation fee for switching their new broadband service on. This is less common than previously, but be sure to check details of any deal before you sign up.
Delivery charges- Some providers may ask you to cover the cost of the delivery of a new router. This isn’t as commonplace these days, but check anyway – and be aware that some suppliers will ask for your router back if you switch providers.
Whether you're looking for cheap and cheerful or high-spec full fibre broadband, everyone's needs are different. Finding the best deal for you starts with understanding how you plan to use it or if bundling your services lower your monthly bill.
If you're still in your minimum term, you'd be subject to an early repayment charge if you ended your contract early.
If you're out of contract or approaching the end, you can switch without penality.
A tariff may offer everything you're looking for, but does it come to the right monthly price and offer good value for money? Shop around to find the right tariff at the best possible price.
Many providers offer tempting incentives, such as cashback or gift cards to new customers. These may help bring down the cost of an expensive broadband deal, although you should also consider whether these gifts are as important as factors such as speed and cost.
It might not be the norm, but you can find broadband with no upfront cost and a TV package bundled together.
Simply enter your postcode in our ‘Compare broadband deals in your area’ tool at the top of this page. Next, select ‘Sort by: Set-up Costs’ from the drop-down menu on the right. Then on the left column, scroll down and toggle on ‘TV deals included’. This will show you broadband deals that include TV packages with no set-up fee.
A quick search shows Virgin Media to offer plenty of choice, but which providers appear will depend on where you live.
MoneySuperMarket has won the Feefo Platinum Trusted Service Award, an independent seal of excellence, which recognises businesses that consistently deliver a world-class customer experience.
Use our postcode checker to filter what's available in your local area
*Annual Savings based on an average monthly bill of £37.11 from a nationally representative sample (1000) vs our cheapest monthly cost for superfast broadband (>55Mbs), Onestream £20.00 month.
You might have to – it depends on the package you buy. Broadband providers will supply you with a wireless router, and some may charge a one-off fee for set-up and installation.
If you’re taking out a phone line as well, and don’t currently have a landline, you will have to pay to have a new line installed. Some may charge miscellaneous setup fees for a phone line anyway, even if you currently have one installed – check with your provider before signing up.
If you are moving to a full fibre deal, you may need to pay for an engineer to set up the fibre connection into your home.
They can be, but it really depends on the deal. The best way to find out is to use our broadband checker to find two deals for your premises: one with an upfront cost and one without. Then click ‘More Details’, and in the ‘Costs’ section look at ‘Total contract cost’. This will tell you which deal works out cheaper in the long run.
Unfortunately, there’s no such thing as free broadband. You can, however, find plenty of cheap broadband deals from some of the UK’s most well-known providers.
To find our lowest cost internet deals, simply enter your postcode into our postcode checker and filter by ‘First Year Cost.’
If you're struggling to afford broadband, you may be eligible for help. Our page on low income broadband goes into more detail.
Yes, you can. These days, broadband-only deals are becoming increasingly common.
Typically, most broadband plans – both ADSL and FTTC fibre optic broadband – will come with a landline included. This is because these types of connection use Openreach's network of copper telephone wires to connect your home to the nearest cabinet.
So, although you may not use a landline to make any calls, you’ll still need it to deliver an internet connection to your home. Luckily, it's included in the cost of your package, and you won't have to pay for a calls package if you don't want one.
However, many providers now offer broadband without a landline, including BT, Sky, TalkTalk, Virgin Media and Plusnet.
Not to mention, many providers (both big names and smaller specialist companies) provide full fibre options. As these ultrafast connections don't use copper cables at all, they don't require a telephone line to deliver your internet.
