Martin Lewis urges Brits to 'ditch broadband' amid new BT Openreach ruling
Consumer finance guru Martin Lewis is urging broadband customers to switch to a cheaper contract following a rule change to the BT Openreach network. The One Touch Switch, recently introduced by Ofcom, allows customers to change providers more quickly without their old provider being able to hinder the move.
Ofcom explained: "Since 2015, people have been able to switch between phone and broadband providers on Openreach's network such as BT and Sky by following a process where their new provider manages the switch. But customers switching to or from a different network, such as Virgin Media, have had to contact their existing provider as well to co-ordinate the switch."
The regulator continued: "With a range of competing fibre-optic networks being built, Ofcom wants to make it easier and quicker for people to move between them and take advantage of unprecedented levels of choice. "Under the new One Touch Switch process, landline and broadband customers only need to contact their new provider to make the change."
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As a result, changing internet providers and saving money has never been easier. Martin Lewis stated: "150Mb fibre broadband from £14/mth (most paying double for half the speed)... switching to smaller 'alt-nets' now much easier too as Ofcom's introduced one-touch switching."
Martin Lewis's Money Saving Expert site has come through with some game-changing advice: "The playing field is levelling on broadband, making it far easier to switch to the new local 'alt-nets' that set up their own networks rather than relying on BT in the background.", reports Bristol Live.
Moreover, these scrappy newcomers are shaking up the market: "And as many of them undercut big providers, we're trying to add more into our broadband comparison, which now covers 25 firms. If you've not switched broadband for years, you're almost certainly out of contract, and can SAVE LARGE by taking advantage of short-lived promo deals."
On the deal radar, Hyperoptic is making waves with an offer on 158mb fibre broadband service at only £13.83 a month, and it's up for grabs in major cities.
Not to be outdone, Gigaclear is doling out a zippy 300mb for £19 a month - a fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP) service that leaves traditional fibre-to-the-cabinet (FTTC) in the dust.
Virgin Media has joined the action too, promoting its 246mb fibre broadband for £22.45 per month; originally priced at £28 monthly, but with a hefty £100 cashback on your first bill brings it down, working out at £22.45 over an 18-month term - and it's available across the UK.
Lastly, Vodafone isn't far behind with its 67mb fibre offer for £22.55 a month. While it may not seem like the most competitive rate, it holds the ace of having wider availability, positioning itself as a solid choice if you're situated outside the realms of the other deals.