Frequently Asked Questions

Whilst trying to remain impartial, we all have our favourites. It’s easier to find negative reviews than glowing ones - but that glowing review might not be the best broadband deal for you. If you are looking for the fastest broadband provider then Virgin Media is a good place to start. If you're an avid online gamer and latency and upload speed are paramount then BT and Zen are worth considering. If it’s a budget broadband package that you are looking for, start with TalkTalk. For just plain, good old customer service we would steer you towards Plusnet.

Switching your broadband provider is a less painful exercise than it used to be. Before you begin the process, it's definitely worth making sure that you're outside of your contract tie-in with your current broadband provider. If you aren't then you will face a financial penalty and will probably be required to pay for each month that you have left on your contract. If you would like to switch broadband provider and your contract has ended, there is no need to contact your existing supplier. The switching process is triggered by the broadband provider that you have decided to move to. The exception to this rule is if you want to switch to a Virgin Media fibre broadband deal. Unlike other broadband providers, Virgin Media Fibre doesn't use copper phone line cables to deliver it’s broadband. So, if you want to switch to a Virgin Media package, you will need to notify your current broadband provider after Virgin have given you an install date. This way your broadband disruption will be minimal. If you're ready to start looking for a better broadband deal, just enter your postcode into our broadband calculator at the top of this page to see what broadband deals are available in your area.

With any ADSL broadband connection the broadband is sent down the copper phone line. Even if you have Superfast fibre broadband the last part of the connection from the telephone exchange to your property still requires the phone line. Virgin Media is the only broadband provider in the UK who can deliver fixed line broadband without a phone line. This is because Virgin don’t use BT’s infrastructure. Instead, they use their own fibre-optic network. Virgin broadband is not available to all properties in the UK but, if you are in a city or built up area, you are more likely to have the option of getting broadband without a phone line.

Not in the deals on Landlinesaver, but there are a few things that you should be aware of! Phone and broadband providers used to advertise broadband prices with an eye catching price tag, then in the small print mention that you still had to order phone line rental. This would often raise the price significantly. Since October 2016 the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) have clamped down on this misleading practice. So, now the broadband prices advertised include line rental. If you use our broadband calculator and filter by ‘First year cost’ the figures that you see will include all extras e.g. the cost of posting the router, installation fees etc.

The simple answer is YES! As long as you're not moving house away from your current telephone exchange. If you're switching to Virgin Media they too will allow you to keep your old telephone number. You will be asked which number you would like to transfer during the sign up process.

In June 2015 Ofcom made it easier for consumers to switch their phone or broadband supplier. You no longer need to contact your current provider for a MAC code (Migration Authorisation Code). The switching process is entirely handled by your new supplier. This helps to avoid lengthy phone calls to your old provider.

If you're only switching your broadband and not the telephone provider then your switch over should be almost seamless. If you are switching both your phone and broadband provider, this will require an Engineer to visit your local telephone exchange. The switch over is usually complete within 3 hours of disconnection. If you are switching to Virgin Media, it is possible to keep your old broadband connection active until your Virgin broadband has been installed and is live.