Cooling off period is slightly different for services than it is for goods.
Since broadband is a service, then the
following will apply
Cancelling services
Your right to cancel You have 14 days from entering into a service contract in which you can cancel it.
The trader shouldn’t start providing the service before the 14 day cancellation period has ended, unless you have requested this.
If you request a service starts straightaway In this instance you will still have the right to cancel, but you must pay for the value of the service that is provided up to the point you cancel.
For example, if you buy a service like gym membership and start using the gym and then change your mind within this 14 day time period, you will be refunded but could be charged for the amount of gym time you used.
If the service is provided in full within 14 days The right to cancel can be lost during the cancellation period if the service is provided in full before the 14 days elapses.
I can see both sides of the coin:
- The consumer wants to know that their service is satisfactory
- The service provider has charges that it will have to pay - ie Openreach, modem costs, service during the trial period.
Openreach/BTw charges will apply because an engineer has had to do one or more of the following: Rewire MDF/ rewire MDF tie pairs / rewire tie pairs at cab / Change realm / Set up realm.
When the law was brought into effect there were more ISPs than there are now and I suppose if you were unscrupulous enough, you could rack up several months free broadband at a particular premise... (which could be handy if you are living in temporary accommodation) and leaving the service providers out of pocket