Best way to cancel/migrate?

How do I (hassle free) move from BT to Sky?

We've currently got "Unlimited Anytime Plan" and "BT Total Broadband Option 3". We've already got Sky TV. Our contract is past the minimum term with BT mid-April.

I know we have to call 0800 800 150, but should we set up Sky Broadband/Talk first? Do we need to give any notice to BT? What's the best procedure?

I really could do without a headache.

In my experience, the best way to go would be to get a MAC code from BT then give it to Sky with the new order.

You could keep the BT line as it is, just migrating the broadband service - I think that would be the quickest way to change ISP, otherwise it could be a case of waiting for a Sky line to be installed first. In saying that, is Sky line rental a lot cheaper?

Find out the date when your BT contract ends, then give Sky a call/live chat via their site and they will be able to advise you of the best course of action.

Best of luck.

In reply to a post by Tonguey:

You could keep the BT line as it is, just migrating the broadband service

No, Sky now insist you also put your line with them.

Otherwise, your advice re: MAC is sound.

In reply to a post by Tonguey:

otherwise it could be a case of waiting for a Sky line to be installed first

If they already have an active BT line then the phone and broadband will be switched over at the same time, the only way there'd be a delay is if they were having a NEW line installed.

is Sky line rental a lot cheaper

sky unlimited is £17.25 and broadband unlimited is £7.50 (because of the op having sky tv and taking phone which as said is now mandatory to have broadband)
Were as bt is £19.50 for the unlimited calls + about £20 for broadband (based on web prices im not 100% sure on the broadband so that bit could be wrong) so all in all big savings


Ash

Edited by acpsd775 (Wed 21-Mar-12 18:51:30)

In reply to a post by XRaySpeX:

In reply to a post by Tonguey:

You could keep the BT line as it is, just migrating the broadband service

No, Sky now insist you also put your line with them.

Otherwise, your advice re: MAC is sound.

Wow! not very nice of Sky.

Anyhoo, sorry for the mis-information in my original post.

They say you can save around £200 a year by switching. The numbers certainly seem to add up.

I found this on the website --

"When you switch your broadband, calls and line rental to Sky, there's no need to contact your existing provider. We'll manage the switching for you, and you should be able to keep your existing phone number".

and

"If you do have a compatible line, we'll simply take over your existing line."

So it sounds like all we have to do is sign up with Sky Broadband/Talk after the minimum contract for BT has passed and Sky do all the rest.

In reply to a post by murray2000:

They say you can save around £200 a year by switching. The numbers certainly seem to add up.

I found this on the website --

"When you switch your broadband, calls and line rental to Sky, there's no need to contact your existing provider. We'll manage the switching for you, and you should be able to keep your existing phone number".

and

"If you do have a compatible line, we'll simply take over your existing line."

So it sounds like all we have to do is sign up with Sky Broadband/Talk after the minimum contract for BT has passed and Sky do all the rest.

yup correct also if you go via topcashback.co.uk or quidco.com you could get about £50.50 (current rate for taking broadband unlimited)

Ash

Edited by acpsd775 (Thu 22-Mar-12 08:13:08)

It is still best to ask for a MAC, even if Sky do not require it. Also check the BT Terms & Conditions to see whether the issue of a MAC starts your notice period, whatever that is.

When requesting a MAC, do not mention the words "Cancel" or "Cease", as these may be taken literally and a Broadband Cease order put on your line by BT. That would screw you up. If you can request it online that is safest. If by telephone say you are intending to migrate it, and I always refuse to say which ISP I am moving to - you have no obligation to tell them.

The reason I recommend asking for a MAC is that it shows you are complying with the Openreach migration system. Some people migrating to full LLU as you will be doing find they later receive a charge of around £29.99 from the old ISP, for the Broadband Cease that is part of the move and is triggered by the LLU provider's order. You/they should not be charged this, but having requesting and received a MAC is useful evidence in your favour if you do.

The full LLU process should see your phone and broadband old provider informed of your intention to move, and anti slamming should mean you get a letter to warn you, and thus circumvent any slamming.

Getting the MAC first, can help to trigger the 30 day notice period and as RobertoS points out help avoid any possible cease charges

One problem with Sky is that if you change your phone line over to them and you wish to change it back to BT later then you will most likely lose your telephone number. It is a well known problem.

I can't see us going back to BT, their prices are exorbitant.

If we request the MAC while still being in the minimum contract time, would we have to pay the cancel charge even if we actually moved AFTER the contract has ended? Is it best to request it now or wait until the minimum contract has passed?

In reply to a post by acpsd775:

yup correct also if you go via topcashback.co.uk or quidco.com you could get about £50.50 (current rate for taking broadband unlimited)

Ash

Thanks for the heads up, I had forgotten we could go via Quidco (which I've used before).

In reply to a post by murray2000:

If we request the MAC while still being in the minimum contract time, would we have to pay the cancel charge even if we actually moved AFTER the contract has ended?

No. (But don't confuse the end of the minimum term with the totally different Broadband Cease. That would take a while to explain and doesn't matter here and now).

The request of a MAC does not mean you will necessarily be leaving. If you don't use it, it just lapses. Though with some ISPs, if it is taken as the start of notice, you need to tell them you are staying.

In your case it is fine to ask for it, as long as the actual leaving date is after the end of your minimum term. It would probably be best to wait until you are within a four of five days of then, so there is no possibility of you being moved to Sky before the end of your BT term, as that could trigger a charge for early ending of the contract.

Thank you very much, you've been most helpful.

Just to clarify for myself --

Request MAC 4/5 days before end of minimum term
Sign up to Sky (via quidco) after the minimum term

Hopefully it stays that simple. How long would the downtime be between leaving BT and Sky working?

Not quite.

By leaving it to 4-5 days before the end of the term, it is safe to order from Sky immediately you have the MAC. Migrations normally take 5-10 days to happen from when you order them. The downtime when it happens should be between 10 minutes and an hour with the move you are making, and the phone will stop working for some of that period as well.

After migration, you contact BT again to make sure they know you have left. They should get an automatic notification from Openreach, but that can go wrong. Best to be sure.

What are you doing about email addresses?

In reply to a post by murray2000:

In reply to a post by acpsd775:

yup correct also if you go via topcashback.co.uk or quidco.com you could get about £50.50 (current rate for taking broadband unlimited)

Ash

Thanks for the heads up, I had forgotten we could go via Quidco (which I've used before).

NP i make sure to always check them out when switching get some good money back threw them

Ash

In reply to a post by RobertoS:

Not quite.

By leaving it to 4-5 days before the end of the term, it is safe to order from Sky immediately you have the MAC. Migrations normally take 5-10 days to happen from when you order them. The downtime when it happens should be between 10 minutes and an hour with the move you are making, and the phone will stop working for some of that period as well.

After migration, you contact BT again to make sure they know you have left. They should get an automatic notification from Openreach, but that can go wrong. Best to be sure.

What are you doing about email addresses?

Is it safe to get the code and order from Sky while in the minimum contract? Wouldn't it just be better to wait until after? I'm not sure I understand the logic behind what you're saying (even though you're probably right!)

We've never used the BT email address so it's not really an issue.

If you are happy to wait, that's fine, and safest . Most people want to move as soon as they can once they decide to.

Ask for the MAC 7 days before the end of term - that's 5 working days which is the longest an ISP (in theory) can take to supply it. Most, and I expect BT, supply it within minutes or hours.