Broadband move and overlap planner

Plan the connection and the cost separately

A broadband move has two timelines: when a connection works and when a contract is charged. They can differ. The Movers Guide broadband planner makes that distinction visible so you can prepare for a service gap without assuming that cancelling a payment ends the service, or that a booked installation guarantees an immediately working connection.

Enter the old service’s last working date and the new service’s start date from your provider arrangements. Then enter the number of days you expect both contracts to be charged. The tool does not derive billed overlap from the service dates, because contractual charges may start or end on different dates. Use confirmed terms where available and update provisional arrangements when providers respond.

How the calculation is worked out

The possible gap is the number of calendar days between the two service dates, minus one, with a minimum of zero. If the old connection works on Monday and the new one starts on Tuesday, there is no whole intervening day without service. The result does not measure hours, so it cannot describe a midday disconnection or an evening activation precisely.

For the planning cost, both monthly prices are multiplied by 12 and divided by 365. Their combined daily estimate is multiplied by the entered dual-contract charge days. Known termination, move or setup fees and your temporary-data budget are then added. A blank fees field remains flagged as unpriced even though the displayed known subtotal cannot include an unknown charge.

This is daily planning apportionment, not a reconstruction of either provider’s invoice. A provider may charge a whole billing period, apply a credit later, or use a different calculation. Check your written terms and replace the estimate in your main budget with the actual bill when it becomes available.

Worked example: a short gap and five billed overlap days

In this hypothetical scenario, the old service works through 6 November and the new service starts on 10 November. The tool shows three possible whole days without service: 7, 8 and 9 November. You separately enter five days of dual billing, an old price of £30 a month and a new price of £42 a month.

The overlap estimate is (£30 + £42) × 12 ÷ 365 × 5, which rounds to £11.84. Add £40 of confirmed fees and £15 for temporary data, and the planning subtotal is £66.84. These are invented example inputs, not typical broadband prices or a supplier offer. Changing the new activation date changes the gap, but does not automatically change your separately entered billed overlap.

What else to confirm before moving

Ask the provider about the actual address, installation requirements, equipment delivery, contract term and any linked telephone or TV service. Check whether a work call, accessibility arrangement or other important service depends on the connection. Add a practical backup to your moving day schedule, and test it before relying on it.

Ofcom’s moving-home guidance recommends checking coverage at the new property. Its current switching guidance explains One Touch Switch and separately managed overlap. A house move can involve different arrangements, so ask the providers which process applies rather than assuming every cancellation is handled automatically.

There is no single useful national move fee. The relevant costs are your contract’s termination terms, the new provider’s quoted setup charges, billed overlap and any backup you choose. Put those confirmed figures in the moving budget, keeping recurring broadband charges in the ongoing household section.

How to use this tool

1. Confirm service dates. Use the last working day for the old connection and the planned first working day for the new one. Update them when arrangements change.

1. Enter billing separately. Supply both monthly prices, confirmed dual-charge days and any known fees. Do not treat an unknown cancellation charge as a confirmed zero.

1. Arrange a backup. Read the gap and cost results together, decide how essential internet access will be, and record any temporary-data purchase or alternative workplace in your move plan.

Frequently asked questions

Why do I enter overlap days myself?

Working service dates do not necessarily match billing dates. Enter the dual-charge period confirmed by your providers; the calculator does not infer contractual liability from an installation appointment.

Will my actual invoice match the estimate?

Not necessarily. The tool uses monthly price multiplied by 12 and divided by 365. Providers may bill whole periods, apply credits or use different terms.

Does the planner check coverage or speed?

No. Check the property with your provider and appropriate coverage resources. A date entered here is your planning assumption, not confirmation that the new connection will work on time.