Move-day continuity planners
If work calls, remote access or household communication must work soon after arrival, confirm when broadband can start and whether installation is needed. Ofcom advises arranging a start date in time for the move.
Who needs to plan connectivity before moving?
Address-first broadband comparers
If you might keep or change your broadband plan, check what the new property can receive before comparing packages. Ofcom cautions that availability and received speeds can differ from checker predictions.
Indoor mobile coverage switchers
If calls or mobile data matter inside the new home, compare predicted indoor coverage by network before changing your plan. Ofcom notes that the building and local conditions can affect reception.
What should you check before choosing?
Check the property’s broadband options and mobile coverage first, then confirm the service start date and setup. A backup device is worth considering only if a connection gap matters to you and the intended mobile network is predicted to work at the home.
| Concern | Buying check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Broadband at the address | Use Ofcom’s address-level checker to compare available services and predicted download and upload speeds; confirm that a provider will accept an order for the full address. | If my new home has different broadband options from my current one, I need to know which fixed service I can order. Around 31% of consumers put address-specific availability first. |
| Activation and installation | Confirm the proposed start date, any engineer visit or new equipment, and the terms of an existing contract before changing service. | When I need to connect soon after moving in, an uncertain start date could interrupt work or communication. For roughly 25% of consumers, continuity is the primary concern. |
| Indoor mobile coverage | Compare Ofcom’s predicted indoor and outdoor coverage by network at the new postcode and other places where you regularly need service; treat indoor predictions as a guide. | If I rely on calls or mobile data inside the new home, an outdoor signal alone does not settle my choice. Around 25% of consumers prioritise mobile coverage. |
| Backup and router setup | If a broadband gap would matter, check the intended mobile network’s predicted coverage and the plan’s device terms. Ask the broadband provider which router and setup steps are required. | If I cannot wait through a connection gap, I need an interim option I can use at home; if new equipment is required, I also need to reconnect my devices. For about 19% of consumers, backup or router readiness comes first. |
Mistakes to avoid before moving
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Choosing broadband using the old address
A familiar package may not be available at the new property. Ofcom also cautions that actual availability and received speeds can differ from checker predictions.
Check the new address, then confirm the provider can take an order there before relying on a package or router choice.
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Treating outdoor mobile coverage as an indoor guarantee
Walls, building materials and local conditions can affect reception inside the home, according to Ofcom. A mobile-data device will not resolve unsuitable coverage on its intended network.
Compare indoor as well as outdoor predictions before making mobile data your fallback.
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Leaving activation questions until move-in week
A broadband change can involve an engineer visit or new equipment, so the connection may not be ready simply because a plan has been chosen.
Ask the provider to confirm the activation route, preferred date and setup steps; plan interim connectivity if the resulting gap would disrupt essential use.
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Switching without checking the current contract
Your contract status and the applicable switching process affect how you arrange a change of broadband or mobile service.
Check the current minimum term and ask the providers which steps apply to this move before arranging the new service.
Mobile networks to compare at the new address
Ofcom’s postcode-based checker shows predictions for the underlying EE, Vodafone, Three and O2 networks. Compare the places where you need service; a favourable prediction does not guarantee reception inside a particular home.
EE
A network to compare if you are deciding whether to retain or change mobile service for the new home.
- Ofcom’s checker shows local 4G and 5G coverage guidance for the EE network.
- Predicted coverage does not establish your in-home experience; check the terms of any specific plan separately.
Vodafone
A network to include in an address-led mobile comparison before moving.
- Ofcom’s checker supports comparison of predicted Vodafone coverage at the relevant location.
- Building materials and local conditions may make indoor reception differ from the prediction.
Three
A network to assess for mobile service or a possible mobile-data fallback at the new home.
- Ofcom provides network-specific local coverage guidance for Three.
- The checker is a guide, not a guarantee of in-home service; check the intended plan’s data and device terms.
O2
A network to compare where calls or mobile data inside the new home are important.
- Ofcom’s checker allows O2 coverage predictions to be compared with those of the other underlying networks.
- The home’s construction can affect indoor signal even when the local prediction looks favourable.
Joybuy products for moving-home connectivity
Related products coming soon.
Questions about changing connections
Is the broadband checker’s highest speed guaranteed at my new home?
No. Ofcom describes the displayed figures as estimated speeds, and actual availability or received speeds at the property may differ. Use the result to narrow your options, then confirm the provider’s order result for the full address.
Will moving broadband always work without an appointment or new router?
No. Ofcom says a broadband change can require an engineer visit or new equipment. Ask the provider what the new address needs and when the service can start; if the router changes, check how household devices will reconnect.
How do I keep my mobile number if I change network?
Request a PAC when changing mobile provider if you want to keep your number; a STAC is for switching without keeping it. Check your current contract status and compare predicted coverage at the new home before choosing the replacement network.