Switching broadband has saved Hull residents £520 a year

The broadband landscape in Hull means that residents have had little choice but to stick with the same internet provider. But recent research from Uswitch suggests that broadband customers that have remained with the same provider for between seven and eight years are the worst off, paying an extra £22 a month on average.

In Hull, the expansion of MS3’s network and its growing number of internet service provider (ISP) partners means that residents no longer have to remain with the previous sole provider. MS3 has now connected over 10,000 customers in the city, with its own market research citing that package speed, price and quality are some of the key reasons for making a switch. But what exactly are the steps to switching broadband provider?

To support customers looking to make the change, last year MS3 partnered with comparison site Uswitch to allow Hull residents to compare their local broadband provider options, costs and speeds more easily. Better savings and more choice are not the only factors benefiting the region, as full fibre faster internet speeds of up to 1,000 Mbps will ensure Hull enjoys some of the best quality broadband in the UK.

Uswitch offers a vital comparison tool, but residents may be hesitant to make the switch after so many years with a single provider. To advise residents, Ernest Doku — telecoms expert at Uswitch.com — gives his top tips for local residents to get the best deals available:

Tip 1: Do a speed test

With top speeds now available of up to 1,000 Mbps, as well as higher bandwidth, you can do more online with ease and reduce the chance of buffering and long load times. Some providers even offer ‘symmetrical speeds’ where the download and upload speeds are equally matched. Use Uswitch’s speed test tool to estimate better what deal will suit you.

Tip 2: Know the process

Once you’ve signed up, most providers will send a member of the team out to survey the outside of your property and plan the route to bring the fibre network to your house. Once you’re happy, an engineer will drill a small hole of about ten millimetres above your front door, running a discreet, surface-mounted cable inside your property to the closest power socket. In most cases, installations take about an hour and you’ll have internet access from that day.

Tip 3: Check if you can make a saving

The reality is that the fastest speeds aren’t always the most expensive. Search for your postcode on Uswitch’s broadband checker and you’ll be able to see the full range of deals available.

Tip 4: Mark your ‘out of contract’ date in your diary

Most broadband contracts last between 12 and 24 months. At the end of that time, you’ll likely find that your broadband bills have increased, as potential introductory discounts have come to an end, or you could be facing an annual price rise. Uswitch estimates that switching to a new broadband deal after your initial contract has ended could save you up to £179 a year.

Tip 5: Use a comparison website

Using a price comparison website is a great way to see a wider breadth of options available, alongside some of the fastest speeds and best value deals on offer. At Uswitch, we also quality check all of the providers we list to ensure they are financially secure, and that they meet a high standard of both customer service and competitive offers before they are listed on our platform.

To join the 10,000 customers that have already made the switch to a partner on MS3’s network, enter your postcode on Uswitch.com to see all the deals available in your area.