Bundling your broadband with TV, phone, or mobile services can cut costs and simplify billing, but it’s not always the best option. Many people pay for channels they don’t watch or get locked into longer contracts that reduce flexibility. Netflix subscriptions are now available in some bundles too.
This guide explains happens to each service when switching broadband bundles, and how to work out whether a bundle genuinely saves you money compared to buying services separately.
What Are Broadband Bundles?
A broadband bundle combines your internet service with other services like TV, landline phone, or mobile into a single package with one monthly bill. Instead of managing separate contracts with different providers, everything comes from one company.
The most common bundle types include double-play (broadband plus one other service, usually TV or phone), triple-play (broadband, TV, and phone), and quad-play (broadband, TV, phone, and mobile). Each combination offers different features and pricing, with most major providers offering at least some bundled options.
Bundles typically cost less than buying each service separately, but the discount varies significantly between providers and depends on which services you actually use. The key question isn’t whether bundles can be cheaper in theory, but whether a specific bundle saves you money given what you actually need.
Compare broadband and TV bundles →
Should You Bundle Your Services?
Bundling works well when you genuinely use all the services included, and the combined price beats buying them separately. If you watch terrestrial TV regularly, make landline calls, and need reliable broadband, a triple-play bundle from one provider can be significantly cheaper than three separate contracts.
The convenience factor matters too. One bill, one customer service number, and one renewal date make life simpler. If something goes wrong, you’re dealing with a single provider rather than coordinating between multiple companies. Many people find this simplicity worth paying a small premium for, even if the bundle isn’t the absolute cheapest option.
However, bundling isn’t always the smart choice. You might pay for TV channels you never watch, or find yourself stuck with a landline you don’t use because it comes as part of the package. Bundles often require longer contract terms than standalone broadband, typically 18 or 24 months, which reduces your flexibility to switch if better deals emerge.
Separate services also let you choose the best provider for each category. You might want Virgin Media for broadband speed, Sky for sports channels, and a different mobile network entirely. Bundles force you to accept one provider’s offering across the board, even if they’re not market-leading in every category.
Switching Broadband: Quick decision checklist
Bundle makes sense if you’ll actually use all included services, the total cost genuinely beats separate providers, you value having one bill and one point of contact, and you’re comfortable with the contract length.
Bundle probably isn’t right if you’re paying for channels or services you don’t use, you want flexibility to switch individual services, you’d get better quality from different providers for each service, or the promotional price jumps significantly after the first few months.
See broadband and phone bundle options →
Specific Rules for Switching Broadband Bundles
When you switch broadband providers, One Touch Switch handles your broadband and landline phone transfer automatically. Your new provider contacts your old one, arranges the switch, and ensures you’re not left without service for more than one working day. This process is straightforward and well-established since September 2024.
However, One Touch Switch doesn’t cover TV or mobile services. These sit outside the automatic switching process and may need separate cancellation. Some providers automatically cancel your TV service when you switch broadband, while others require you to give separate notice. Mobile contracts are always independent and won’t be affected by switching your broadband provider.
There’s one important exception: if you’re cancelling because your broadband speeds fall below the guaranteed minimum and your provider can’t fix the problem within 30 days, you can switch your entire bundle without paying exit fees. This protection extends to TV and mobile services included in the same package, provided your reason for leaving is the broadband speed issue.
For full details on this protection, see our guide on your rights when switching broadband.
Check with both your old and new providers about what happens to bundled services when switching. Ask whether TV cancellation is automatic or requires a separate notice, confirm the notice period for each service, and clarify any price changes if you’re keeping some services but cancelling others.
For a complete explanation of how the new rules work, see our guide on One Touch Switch.
What Happens to Each Service When You Switch Bundles
Your broadband and landline phone transfer is handled by One Touch Switch when you sign up with a new provider. The new provider manages everything, and your phone number can be ported over if you want to keep it. This part of the process is smooth and requires no action beyond signing up with your new provider.
TV services require more attention. Some providers, like Virgin Media, note that TV may be cancelled automatically when you switch broadband, while others require you to contact them separately to cancel. Check your provider’s policy before switching to avoid accidentally paying for contracts that operate independently of your broadband. Switching broadband providers does not affect your mobile service. If your mobile is part of a bundle and you want to cancel it too, you’ll need to contact your provider separately and follow their mobile cancellation process. Mobile contracts often have different end dates from broadband, so check both before making decisions.
Equipment return applies to all services. You’ll typically need to return broadband routers, TV boxes, and any other loaned equipment within 60 days to avoid charges ranging from £65 to £115 per item. Keep proof of postage when returning items, and don’t cancel your direct debit until you’ve received confirmation that everything has been accounted for in your final bill.
Comparing Bundle Costs vs Separate Services
Working out whether a bundle actually saves money requires comparing the total cost against buying each service separately. Add up what you’d pay for standalone broadband, TV, and phone from different providers, then compare this against the bundle price. Don’t forget to include any setup fees, equipment charges, or installation costs in both scenarios.
Watch out for promotional pricing that makes bundles look cheaper than they really are.
Many bundles include services you don’t actually need. If you never watch the premium sports channels included in your package, you’re essentially paying for something you don’t use. Be honest about your actual viewing and usage habits rather than paying for aspirational services. Similarly, if everyone in your household uses mobile phones exclusively, you’re wasting money on a landline just because it comes in the bundle.
The cheapest option depends entirely on your situation. Some households genuinely benefit from bundles, particularly if they use TV services heavily and value the convenience of one bill. Others save more money by choosing the best standalone provider for each service separately, even though it means managing multiple contracts. Run the numbers for your specific usage before committing.
Common Bundle Switching Scenarios
If you want to switch broadband but keep your TV service, check whether your provider allows this and what happens to your bundle discount. Many bundle savings disappear when you remove one service, potentially making it more expensive to keep TV separately than you’d pay as part of the original bundle. You might save more by cancelling everything and finding a TV-only deal elsewhere.
Switching TV while keeping broadband works the same way, but in reverse. Contact your provider to cancel TV service, confirm whether this requires notice separate from your broadband contract, and find out how the change affects your pricing. Some providers maintain reasonable pricing for standalone broadband, while others significantly increase the monthly cost once you remove other services from the bundle.
Moving your entire bundle to a new provider is straightforward for broadband and phone through One Touch Switch, but remember to coordinate TV service separately. Sign up with your new provider for the full bundle, let them handle the broadband and phone switch, then contact your old provider to cancel TV if it doesn’t happen automatically. Time everything to avoid paying two providers simultaneously.
Breaking up a bundle into separate services makes sense if the bundled approach no longer suits your needs. You might cancel TV and phone while keeping broadband, or switch broadband while finding better TV and mobile deals elsewhere. Just check the exit fees for each service and confirm what you’ll pay in total before making the change. Sometimes it’s cheaper to wait until your contract ends rather than paying penalties to leave early.
Switching Broadband Bundles Frequently Asked Questions
Do I pay separate exit fees for each service in a bundle?
Exit fees for bundles vary by provider. Some calculate one combined early termination charge based on your total monthly bundle cost multiplied by the remaining months, while others charge separately for each service. Check your contract terms or contact your provider to get an exact breakdown. If you’re leaving because broadband speeds fall below the guaranteed minimum, you can cancel the entire bundle without exit fees for any service. Use our early termination fee calculator to estimate costs, then verify with your provider.
What happens to my bundle discount if I cancel one service?
Bundle discounts typically disappear entirely when you remove any service from the package. The remaining services revert to their standalone pricing, which is usually significantly higher than the per-service cost within the bundle. For example, if you’re paying £50 for broadband, TV, and phone together, removing TV might increase your broadband and phone cost to £45 rather than dropping to £35. Contact your provider before cancelling any service to find out exactly how pricing changes, as staying in the bundle might be cheaper than you expect.
Is it always cheaper to bundle services together?
No, bundles aren’t automatically cheaper. While they often cost less than buying each service separately from the same provider, you might save more by choosing the best individual provider for each service. Compare bundle prices against standalone services from different providers, factoring in promotional periods and price rises. If the bundle includes channels or services you don’t use, paying for them wastes money, even if the bundle seems cheap. Run the numbers for your specific situation before assuming bundling saves money.
Can I add my mobile plan to my broadband and TV bundle?
Many major providers offer quad-play bundles, including mobile, though availability varies by provider. BT, Virgin Media, Sky, Vodafone, and EE all offer packages combining broadband, TV, phone, and mobile. Adding mobile to an existing bundle might be cheaper than a standalone mobile contract, but check the total cost carefully. Mobile contracts bundled with broadband often have less competitive rates than standalone SIM deals, and you may face restrictions on upgrading phones or changing tariffs.
Related Guides
For more detailed information on specific aspects of switching broadband and managing bundles, see our comprehensive guides:
- How to Switch Broadband Provider UK – Complete step-by-step switching process
- One Touch Switch Explained – How the 2024 switching rules work
- Understanding Broadband Exit Fees & Early Termination Charges – Calculate costs and learn negotiation strategies
- Your Rights When Switching Broadband – Consumer protections, compensation, and speed guarantees
- Social Tariff Broadband UK – Eligibility criteria and how to apply
- Switching Broadband When Moving House – Provider notice periods and installation timelines
- How to Save Money on Broadband, Phone and TV Bills – Money-saving tips on switching and negotiation tactics
Use our tools
- Broadband Speed Test – Test your broadband speed in seconds
- Broadband Early Termination Fee Calculator – Work out what you’d pay to leave early
- Broadband Comparison – Compare standalone broadband deals with our postcode checker tool
- Broadband and TV Bundles – Find bundle packages at your address
- Broadband and Home Phone Packages – Compare broadband and phone combinations
