No one looks forward to moving his or her residence. Relocating telecom services can be twice as challenging. Often, the people managing the relocation never moved a business before. They have so many things to consider that it’s very easy for something to fall through the cracks.
One of the most challenging aspects of moving a business is moving telecom services and equipment. We have created a telecom business service relocation guide to make it easy and smooth. The following is some tips to consider when relocating a telecom business service:
Six months is a good starting point to complete the entire move. The more time you have, the more flexibility you’ll have to choose the dates your telecom services will be activated and deactivated. It’s much better to start the process sooner than later.
One large chunk of the move is Telecom. Three weeks is the typical interval to install new or move existing phone and internet services. That’s if everything goes smoothly. More often than not, installations require more time.
Always be on the lookout for an auto-renew. Ideally, your contract expiration date would coincide with your move date. That would offer the most flexibility. Make sure you don’t miss the deadline to cancel an auto-renew.
If your contract includes an auto-renew and you miss the deadline to notify your carrier that you don’t wish to re-up your service, you’ll be on the hook for another term and lose your flexibility.
If you move to a building your current carrier can’t service, it won’t allow you out of the contract. If you’re one year in and need to move and choose a location your current carrier can’t service, you’re most likely looking at a termination penalty. The penalty could be calculated as monthly reoccurring cost x number of months remaining on your agreement.
Do your homework and plan ahead. If you sign a lease before discovering this information, you’ll be on the hook for your carrier’s termination liability or whatever the penalty is to break the lease.
Before you sign a lease, determine what services are available at a prospective location. Broadband isn’t available everywhere. There are pockets in every major city where businesses can’t receive the local phone or cable companies’ services.
Where other businesses are experiencing 50 to 200 Mbps of bandwidth, these businesses are reliant on unreliable microwave connections or expensive T1.
Many times when one of DSL and Cable is not available, both aren’t available. Smaller businesses residing in a building with no DSL or Cable internet are forced to subscribe to more expensive phone and internet services.
It’s a good idea to contact the local phone and cable companies or a telecom consultant before signing a lease to determine if the building you’re considering can be serviced. Property managers won’t tip you off. Buyer beware: the absence of these services is not something a property manager or commercial leasing agent is required to disclose.
It’s best to have your phone vendor, IT company, and the company that will install your cabling all involved and receiving order correspondence from your phone and internet service providers. These people need to complete work preceding and during your installation. They’re usually busy people, so reserve the time in advance.
You’ll likely need cabling installed at your new location. Your phone vendor can complete the work that will support both your phone system and computer network.
Planning ahead will give you time to work out these issues ahead of time. When time is compressed, it reduces your options and flexibility.
If you’re relocating telecom business services, contact your phone service provider to determine if your phone numbers can operate at your new location.
Thanks to Voice over IP, there is a great deal more phone number flexibility, but there are circumstances when your phone numbers can’t follow you to your new location. If that’s the case, you’ll need to develop a plan B.
Don’t assume that your current phone numbers will work at your new location. Your phone vendor might need to extend the phone company’s demarc and work with your telephone service provider to port your phone numbers.
If you’re moving into a site that another company is vacating and offering their current services or equipment to you, remember they’re probably doing so because they face termination liability or are unhappy with the equipment or services.
Not all telephone and internet service and equipment is of equal quality. It’s better to find services right for your business versus accepting some other company’s leftovers.
A business phone system is hard-wired in a phone closet. If your business is going to retain its existing system, you’re going to experience a block of time when your customers won’t be able to reach you. Make sure you forward your main telephone number to a cell phone.
If possible, schedule your move during non-business hours. You’re going to need to reserve time with your phone vendor. That individual might need to devote a good portion of a day to your move, and you will need to pay for his time.
Your business is going to go through upheaval anyway, might as well shop around and see if there are better price or service options available. You can schedule the new service installation at your new office location and save on service transfer fees.
When you’re involved with a business move, there is so much to think of and consider. Getting through a move will make you never want to move again. Let the professionals at CarrierBid take your telecom and internet services, phone, and computer equipment off your plate. CarrierBid can help you with every element of your technology.
If you’re moving your business, here are some tips for you. But, if you are too busy or have no experience in this, it’s better to get some help from professionals. In this case, CarrierBid Communications can help.
With our telecom services relocation program, we’ll shop your services, coordinate with your vendors, project manage your installation, provide ongoing customer support, and many more.
“There are so many details to moving. It was a tremendous relief to know the pros were handing our Telecom.” ⎯ Stephan Anderson, Anderson Flowers
“Our company had to move-in days, not weeks. What seemed like an impossible task was orchestrated without a hitch.” ⎯ Val Zoccola, Cortendo AB
“We worked with CarrierBid. Our representative was very knowledgeable and helpful.”
⎯ Cindy Mastronardo, CertaPro Painters
So go ahead and call us. We’ll make your business move go smoothly.
CarrierBid Communications, the technology movers.
If you would like assistance while relocating your business phone and internet or establishing services at a new business location, contact CarrierBid today or complete the web form on the right side of this page. Our professionals will do the bulk of the work for you, allowing you to focus on other responsibilities.
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