Switching Internet Providers
I decided in August that I wanted to switch to another Internet provider despite the horror stories that friends told me when they switched to another Internet provider (T-Online) and phone company (German Telekom).
I was perfectly happy with my old Internet provider (Alice DSL in Germany) and the 16/1 Mbit Internet connection and country wide phone flatrate that they offered for less than 50 Euros a month. The only aspect that made me think about switching in first place was the increase of the Internet speed to 50/10 which would increase the upload speed by a lot. The new connection sells for 60 Euros per month which is still a great deal. If you ever tried to upload a website like Ghacks to another host you might appreciate any extra bit of upload speed that you can get.
What the new company did not tell me was that I could be without phone and Internet connection for as long as six weeks. That was quite a shock when I found out considering that I needed Internet for my work. What good is a webmaster and blogger without Internet? I now have to use a wireless Internet connection that is costing me 5 Euros per day until they establish the new connection.
I got cut off yesterday by my old provider and have not heard a word from the new Internet provider since. I find it quite puzzling that it can take that long of a time in this modern age. I talked to my business partner Everton with whom I run Windows 7 News and he told me that he experienced a similar situation in the UK.
This actually made me write this article as I thought it would be great if other users could share in their success or horror stories when switching Internet providers or phone companies.
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1. If you have a MAC code (Migration Authorisation Code) the service will automatically transfer across from the old provider to the new provider, though a minimum of 5 days. But you will still have internet.
2. If you however cancel/cease your current provider and take out a brand new connection then it will take however long the new provider can offer you their service.
If you took the first option then they are breaking the law (especially in the UK) complain to OFCOM (of whatever is similar in Germany!)
Thanks for the advice. It is a different connection (from ADSL to VDSL)
Wow, 6 weeks…
Are they installing a new cable in your house? Because only that makes sense – Otherwise regular DSL transfers here takes about a 7-10 days or so (using the same phone cable).
Yep, Telekom sucks – always a nightmare changing ISP here in Germany…
hmm we will also get another ISP within let’s say a couple months. I Hope it will go smooth. I didn’t knew about those “horror stories” until now.
I hope for you this will be solved fast.
It’s day ten without “real” Internet. I decided to cancel the initial order (which included keeping the phone number) and placed a completely new order. If everything works out I’m back with full speed on October 16. Keeping the phone number is apparently the main thing that can prolong the transfer and activation. Still, 16 days without broadband reminded me of how I connected to the Internet ten years ago. Awful, I tell ya ;)