In order to be able to order a new Internet connection, the previous provider must first be terminated. In practice, however, this is sometimes not as easy as one might imagine. We will go into detail about the various pitfalls when terminating an existing Internet connection.
The provider change is particularly quick if Cancel 1&1 with a Mein Deal template is worked. All the information you need to completely cancel your previous Internet connection is included in these free downloadable sample cancellations. You just have to fill out the template and send it to the old provider like 1&1 in good time.
When is the right time to terminate the internet connection?
Minimum contract terms often apply to Internet connections. These can then only be terminated annually, more rarely semi-annually at the end of the contractually agreed performance period. After a change in the law, it should be easier for consumers to terminate a contract that has been concluded since the end of 2021. In addition, they should new regulations for fairer consumer contracts overall worry within Germany.
Some landline and Internet providers already have contracts that can be terminated on a monthly basis. With the majority of German service providers, however, as a new customer you commit to a minimum term of one to two years. The Internet connection cannot be terminated immediately after the order has been placed, so as not to remain a customer for longer than the minimum contract period. With most well-known Internet providers, termination can take place at the earliest three months before the end of the contractually agreed period.
How do I properly cancel my ISP?
The notice of termination must be in writing to the utility provider. Terminations by fax or e-mail are only accepted as a gesture of goodwill. The written form means that a letter must be delivered by post. Your own signature on the notice of termination is very important. However, it is quite possible to cancel the Internet connection by email in order to meet the deadline.
In this case, the signature can be scanned or the entire notice can be filled out by hand and then scanned in full. In the case of termination by e-mail, the terminating contractual partner always has proof of the date of termination. If there are later disputes with the provider, this can become important.
After the internet termination by e-mail, an additional letter must be sent by post. It is sufficient to confirm the information from the e-mail in writing with a signature. It is best to send every letter of termination by registered mail so that you can prove that the recipient has received it in case of doubt.
What belongs in the letter of termination for the Internet connection?
The termination itself can usually be informal. However, if only individual sub-areas are terminated, a certain form may be necessary so that the termination can be processed in due time. A free template from the Internet always helps so that no important information is forgotten in the cover letter. These include, among other things:
- full name of the contractual partner
- customer number
- Connection ID number
- Phone number
- in the case of termination due to a change of residence, also the new address
- alternative contact option for queries such as mobile phone number
Are there special termination rules for internet services?
Who be Office & Network relocated to a location where the Internet service provider does not provide any service, can terminate the Internet connection regardless of the remaining contract periods.
Another case that justifies special termination without notice is an increase in operating costs. If the monthly base price is higher, less data volume is made available at the same price, or the Internet connection demonstrably does not reach the contractually guaranteed speed, the notice period does not have to be observed either.
If no technician appears in the event of a fault, it is also possible for consumers to switch Internet service providers quickly. It does not matter whether the Internet access is required for work or for purely private purposes.
If the hardware that enables access to the Internet fails, the Internet service provider is obliged to provide a replacement free of charge. However, this does not apply if you caused the damage to the device yourself. If no functional technology is sent within the usual deadlines, a special right of termination also applies and you can switch providers immediately.
If there is a good reason why the existing internet contract can no longer be maintained, direct contact sometimes helps. As a gesture of goodwill, Internet providers can prematurely release a customer from a contract, for example if their financial circumstances change drastically.
Be sure to pay attention to deadlines if you want to terminate Internet access
If, according to the Internet contract, termination is possible at the end of each month, there is little need to worry about the notice period. Some time ago, the provider 1&1 had this offer in its program as standard, especially in the mobile communications sector.
With most providers, however, termination is only possible within three months of the end of the respective term. This means that notices received early will not be processed, nor will notices sent too late. If the termination of the Internet connection reaches the right recipient too late, the concluded contract is usually extended by a further year. In a few cases, it even says in the contract that you are then committed to this provider for a further 24 months.
In order not to forget the notice period under any circumstances, it is advisable to note a date in your calendar as soon as you sign the contract. This is best stored online in a cloud so that it is not forgotten when changing mobile devices or in the event of a PC system crash.
Why is it worth canceling an internet connection?
In a few exceptional cases, such favorable conditions were agreed a long time ago that termination would only be worthwhile for the service provider. But it happens much more often than that long-standing existing customers simply pay much too high basic fees or would be provided with a significantly larger volume of data for the same price with a new contract.
In these cases, prior to a timely termination, you can first communicate with the Internet provider by telephone. Especially with Telekom, other conditions can be negotiated that are cheaper. It is common practice for the major German Internet service providers to terminate an old contract in order not to lose their loyal customers, but then set up a new contract at the same time.
If you are no longer satisfied with the offer from the old provider, if the data transfer service does not match the contract you have concluded, or if you are disappointed with the customer service, the new provider can in some cases take over the termination completely. It is also important that the intention to change provider is made in good time so that you are not left with two expensive Internet contracts.
