Switching provider in Belgium, without interruption or double billing

Many Belgians pay far more than they need to for their internet, TV or mobile package, simply because switching provider seems complicated or risky. Good news: since the 2022 telecom reform, cancellation is free at any time, and an official procedure — Easy Switch — lets you move from one provider to another without interruption and without double billing. Here's how to do it with complete peace of mind, step by step.

Why (and when) to switch provider

Three triggers come up most often:

• The end of a promotion. Many packages are sold at a reduced price for 6 or 12 months, then go back up to full price. That's the ideal moment to renegotiate or switch.
• The arrival of fibre in your street, which reshuffles the deck on speeds and prices.
• A move, which forces you to recheck what's available at the new address anyway.

In every case, the real question isn't « which provider is cheapest in general? » but « which offer costs me the least over twelve months, all fees included, at my address? ». That's exactly what our comparison tool compares.

Easy Switch: switching without interruption

Easy Switch is the official Belgian procedure for migrating between providers. The principle is simple: you don't cancel anything yourself. You give your Easy Switch ID — found on your latest bill or in your customer area — to your new provider. They take care of cancelling the old contract on your behalf, synchronising the dates.

The result: no interruption of service between the old and new contract, your number is kept, and the old provider stops billing as soon as the transfer takes effect. This is by far the safest method.

Keeping your phone number

Number portability is a right: whether it's a landline or a mobile number, you can keep it when you switch provider. With Easy Switch, portability is built into the procedure. One thing to watch: never cancel your old line yourself before the new one is activated — that's the only way to lose your number for good.

Cancellation and returning equipment

If Easy Switch doesn't apply (for example for certain fixed products, or if you're not switching provider but simply stopping a service), a cancellation letter is still required for fixed internet and TV. At Speed.be, our advisors write this letter for you, ready to send.

Above all, remember to return all equipment (modem, set-top box, remote, cables, Wi-Fi repeaters) within the stated deadline and to keep proof — the shop receipt or a photo of the parcel — to avoid « equipment not returned » charges. All the details and a shop locator are in our cancellation & transfer guide.

How long it takes, step by step

1. Compare the offers actually available at your address (2 minutes).
2. Check availability (fibre, cable, VDSL, 5G) — an advisor confirms your exact address.
3. Subscribe to the new offer by providing your Easy Switch ID.
4. The new provider schedules an installation appointment and cancels the old contract.
5. Return the equipment of the old provider once the new connection is active.

Generally allow from a few days to two weeks, depending on the technology and the availability of a technician.

Pitfalls to avoid

• Cancelling yourself too early: always wait for the new service to be activated.
• Forgetting to return the equipment on time (often 15 to 30 days).
• Comparing on the first month's price alone: what counts is the 12-month cost, promotions and fees included.
• Not checking the actual availability at your address — availability changes from one street to the next.

In short: switching provider in Belgium is now simple, free and without any risk of interruption — provided you follow the right order of operations. And if you'd rather not deal with it yourself, that's exactly what we do.