How to cancel BT broadband
Cancelling BT broadband means giving notice, confirming your contract end date, and deciding whether you are switching to another provider or ending the service altogether. BT home broadband runs on the Openreach network, so if you are moving to another Openreach-based ISP, the switch is usually straightforward. If you are leaving BT without a replacement, or moving to a different network such as Virgin Media, you need to contact BT directly and serve notice yourself.
Before you start, log in to My BT or open the My BT app and note your minimum contract period and service end date. That single check tells you whether you can leave on notice alone or whether an early termination charge could apply.
Step-by-step: cancelling BT broadband
1. Check your contract status
Open My BT and look for your contract end date or minimum term. BT broadband contracts are commonly 12, 18 or 24 months. If your minimum period has already ended, you can cancel by giving 30 days' notice without an early exit fee. If you are still inside the minimum term, BT may charge for the remaining months — ask for the exact figure before you commit to leaving.
2. Choose how you want to leave
There are three main paths:
- Switch to another Openreach provider — sign up with your new ISP and let One Touch Switch handle the handover (see below).
- Cancel without switching — call BT on 0800 783 1401 (Monday–Friday 8am–9pm, Saturday 8am–8pm, Sunday 9am–6pm) or use BT live chat via My BT.
- Put it in writing — use the cancellation letter generator on this page to draft a formal notice with your account details and preferred leave date.
3. Confirm your leave date and final bill
Ask BT to confirm the date your service will end and what your final payment will be. Keep a record of the conversation — date, adviser name if given, and any reference number. Written confirmation protects you if the disconnection date or charges are disputed later.
4. Return your BT router
BT supplies a Smart Hub (or similar router) on loan. You must return it after cancellation or face a non-return charge — typically up to around £50. BT should send prepaid packaging; you can also return equipment to a BT or EE store. Do not cancel your direct debit until you have received your final bill and confirmed the account is closed.
5. Compare your next broadband deal
Once you know your leave date, check what is available at your address. Use our broadband postcode checker to see which providers and speeds you can get, then browse broadband deals to find a better package before your BT service ends.
BT broadband cancellation by phone
The dedicated number for leaving BT is 0800 783 1401. Have your account number, postcode and the date you want service to end ready before you call.
BT may offer a retention deal during the call. You are under no obligation to accept — but if the offer is competitive, compare it against cheapest broadband deals from other providers before deciding.
General BT customer service is also available on 0800 800 150 if you need account help before cancelling.
Cancelling BT broadband in writing
A written cancellation notice creates a clear paper trail. Your letter or email should include:
- Your full name and service address
- BT account number
- The date you are giving notice
- Your requested disconnection date (at least 30 days ahead unless switching via One Touch Switch)
- A request for written confirmation of your leave date and any charges due
The cancellation letter tool on this page pre-fills BT as the provider and a 30-day notice period. You can download the finished letter as plain text and send it by post or email.
One Touch Switch: the easiest way to leave BT
If you are moving from BT to another provider on the Openreach network — such as Sky, TalkTalk, EE, Vodafone, Plusnet or Zen — you do not need to phone BT to cancel.
Under One Touch Switch, your new provider submits the switch request. BT is notified automatically and your existing contract ends on the date the switch completes. You should still check your final BT bill for any outstanding charges.
Important: One Touch Switch only applies between participating providers on the Openreach network. If you are switching to Virgin Media or a full-fibre provider that uses its own network, you must cancel BT separately. See our guide to cancelling Virgin Media for that process.
BT broadband notice period
BT requires 30 days' notice when you cancel without switching through an approved process. Your service typically continues for those 30 days and you pay for that period on your final bill.
If you switch via One Touch Switch, BT's terms state your agreement ends on the date your switch completes — which may be sooner than a full 30-day notice window, depending on your new provider's installation date. Either way, confirm the exact end date with both providers so you are not left without a connection.
Notice periods can vary slightly by contract type. Check your welcome pack or My BT account, and ask BT to confirm the earliest date you can leave in writing.
BT broadband early termination fee
An early termination fee applies if you cancel BT broadband before your minimum contract period ends and you are not covered by a fee-free exit right (see below).
BT calculates the charge as the remaining amount you would have paid up to the end of your minimum term — essentially your monthly price multiplied by the months left on the contract, plus VAT. The exact figure depends on your package and how many months remain.
To get a binding quote, call 0800 783 1401 and ask BT for your early termination charge before you cancel. Do not rely on rough estimates from third-party calculators — BT's own figure is what you will be billed.
When you can leave BT without an early termination fee
You may be able to cancel fee-free in these situations:
- Your minimum contract period has ended — you only owe the 30-day notice period (or the switch completion date under One Touch Switch).
- 14-day cooling-off period — you can cancel free of charge within 14 days of ordering, provided you return any loaned equipment.
- Mid-contract price rise — if BT increases your core monthly price beyond what was clearly stated when you signed up, you may have the right to leave without penalty under Ofcom rules.
- Persistent faults or slow speeds — under BT's broadband speed code of practice, you may be entitled to leave without penalty if BT cannot fix a significant service problem after investigation. You must give BT the chance to resolve the issue first.
If you are out of contract, switching to a no-contract broadband deal elsewhere means you avoid lock-in on your next package too.
BT broadband vs BT Mobile: separate cancellations
Cancelling BT home broadband does not cancel BT Mobile. They are separate products with different cancellation routes. BT Mobile uses PAC and STAC codes to port your number — a completely different process from broadband notice and switching.
If you are leaving both, handle each product independently: broadband via the steps on this page, mobile via a PAC or STAC request.
What to do after you cancel BT broadband
Once your leave date is confirmed, line up your next connection before BT service ends to avoid a gap.
- Check availability — run your postcode through our broadband postcode checker.
- Compare deals — browse broadband deals or provider-specific pages such as Sky broadband, TalkTalk and EE broadband.
- Order your new package — if your new provider is on Openreach, One Touch Switch handles the BT cancellation for you.
- Set up your new router — your new provider will send equipment or give you an activation date for a self-install.
- Return BT equipment — post back the Smart Hub using BT's prepaid packaging.
If you are also cancelling broadband from another provider, our cancel and switch hub covers every major UK network — including Vodafone broadband, Sky broadband and TalkTalk.
Common mistakes when cancelling BT broadband
- Cancelling the direct debit too early — BT may still charge your final bill. Wait until you have confirmation the account is closed.
- Assuming One Touch Switch covers Virgin Media — Virgin runs its own cable network. You must cancel BT yourself before or after ordering Virgin separately.
- Forgetting to return the router — non-return fees are avoidable if you post the equipment back promptly.
- Not getting charges in writing — always ask BT to confirm your early termination fee and leave date before you commit.
- Leaving it until the last day — start the process at least a few weeks before you want to switch, especially if you need to compare deals and book an installation date with your new provider.
Quick reference
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| How do I cancel BT broadband? | Call 0800 783 1401, use BT live chat, send written notice, or switch via One Touch Switch with a new Openreach provider |
| What is the BT broadband notice period? | 30 days for direct cancellations; may differ when switching via One Touch Switch |
| Is there a BT broadband early termination fee? | Yes, if you are still within your minimum contract term and no fee-free exit right applies |
| Can I cancel BT broadband online? | Not fully — use live chat in My BT, phone BT, or let your new provider cancel via One Touch Switch |
| Do I need to return my router? | Yes — return the Smart Hub or face a non-return charge |
| Does cancelling BT broadband cancel BT Mobile? | No — cancel mobile separately at /switch/cancel-bt-mobile |
