Do not cancel your old internet or TV subscription yourself: with Easy Switch, your new operator handles the whole switch, including the cancellation with your old operator. When you order, you only give your Easy Switch ID and your customer number, and you choose the date on which your old subscription ends. You find your Easy Switch ID on your invoice, your order confirmation or in the customer zone of your current operator. Easy Switch is free, has existed in Belgium since 1 July 2017 and works for all your services, including your mobile plan and your landline, as long as you switch at least your internet or TV. Below you can read where to find your ID for each operator, how the switch works and what compensation you get if something goes wrong.
What is Easy Switch?
Easy Switch is the mandatory switching procedure for internet and TV in Belgium, imposed by the government and supervised by the BIPT, the Belgian telecom regulator. In the past, you cancelled with your old operator yourself and hoped your new connection would be ready in time. With Easy Switch, your new operator takes over that work, and your old contract ends at the earliest on the day your new services are active, so you are never left without internet.
What needs to happen? | Who does it? |
|---|---|
Giving your Easy Switch ID and customer number | You |
Cancelling your old contract | Your new operator |
Transferring your mobile numbers and landline number, if you ask for it | Your new operator |
Returning your rented modem and decoder | You |
The procedure costs you nothing. Since October 2023, businesses and non profit organisations with a standard rate plan can also use Easy Switch.
When does Easy Switch not work?
Easy Switch only works when you switch at least your internet or TV to another operator.
Situation | Easy Switch? |
|---|---|
You switch your internet, your TV or both | Yes |
You switch a pack of internet or TV with mobile or landline | Yes |
You only switch your mobile plan | No, your new operator takes over your number through number porting |
You move house and stay with the same operator | No |
You move abroad | No |
You switch between two brands of the same operator, such as Orange and hey! | No |
If you move within Belgium and change operator at the same time, Easy Switch does work. What else to arrange when you move is in our mobile and internet checklist for moving.
What is an Easy Switch ID?
Your Easy Switch ID is a unique code of numbers and letters that your new operator uses to find and cancel your contract with your old operator. Every customer with an internet or TV subscription in Belgium gets one automatically, and you always give it together with your customer number. Since October 2023, the code also contains a check digit.
If you only have a mobile plan or a prepaid card, you do not need an Easy Switch ID. Your new operator then takes over your number, and here you can read how to keep your number when you change mobile providers.
Where to find your Easy Switch ID for each operator
Look at your invoice first: your Easy Switch ID is usually on the first page, next to your customer number. You also find it in the customer zone or the app of your current operator.
Operator | Where to find your Easy Switch ID |
|---|---|
Proximus | On your invoice, in the detail section, and in MyProximus |
Telenet | On your invoice, your order confirmation and in MyTelenet |
Orange | On your invoice, next to your customer number, and in your customer zone or the My Orange app |
BASE | On your invoice, your order confirmation and in your online customer zone |
Scarlet | On the first page of your invoice, or in MyScarlet under Products |
VOO | At the top left of your invoice and in My VOO |
hey! | On the first page of your invoice, in your customer zone or the app |
If you cannot find your Easy Switch number anywhere, ask the customer service of your current operator. Operators must show the ID on your invoice, and the BIPT has already imposed a fine for this.
How does Easy Switch work? 4 steps
Order with your new operator and give your Easy Switch ID, and your new operator arranges the rest.
Choose your new operator and order internet, TV or a pack.
Give your Easy Switch ID, your customer number and your preferred switching date when you order, so your new operator can arrange everything in time.
Your new operator installs and activates your services and cancels your old contract on the date you chose, at the earliest on the day of activation.
Return your rented equipment to your old operator and keep the proof of shipment.
If you switch with Easy Switch from Proximus to Telenet, for example, you give Telenet the Easy Switch ID from your Proximus invoice, and Telenet cancels your Proximus subscription for you. If your new services were already active before you gave your ID, Easy Switch is no longer possible and you cancel yourself, as explained in our guide on how to cancel Telenet.
Taking your mobile number and landline with you
Ask your new operator to take your mobile numbers and your landline number with them: through Easy Switch they transfer the numbers and cancel those subscriptions, as long as you switch at least your internet or TV. If you want to keep a number with your old operator instead, first check whether that operator offers telephony without internet or TV, because otherwise you risk losing that number.
What compensation do you get if Easy Switch goes wrong?
Your new operator pays you a fixed compensation if your switch goes wrong.
What goes wrong? | Compensation | How do you get it? |
|---|---|---|
You are without internet or TV for more than one working day after your old operator cut you off | 10 euros per day | Automatically, on your first invoice |
Your new services are not active on the agreed date | 6 euros per day | On request with your new operator |
The technician does not show up for the appointment | 30 euros per missed appointment | Automatically, on your first invoice |
Keep your confirmation emails and note the dates, so you can easily prove your claim. If you cannot reach an agreement with your operator, you can file a free complaint with the Ombudsman for Telecommunications.
Can you simply switch to another provider?
Yes, you can switch at any time, and Easy Switch itself costs nothing. In Belgium there is no legal notice period for telecom subscriptions, and with a fixed term contract your operator can only charge a cancellation fee in the first six months. A smartphone or other device you are still paying off, you continue to pay off or settle in one go.
Telecom that works for you
Easy Switch works for internet and TV, but for your mobile it still comes down to numbers, SIM cards and roaming settings. Firsty is building telecom that works for you, not against you: no SIM card to swap, no roaming setting to remember, no zone chart to check and no surprise bill. Every connection Firsty sells also connects someone in Belgium who needs it, not as charity, but because that is how the business works. Keep an eye on what Firsty is building, because things are moving, and discover more at Firsty.app.
FAQ
What is Easy Switch?
Easy Switch is the free Belgian procedure through which your new operator arranges your switch for internet and TV, including the cancellation with your old operator. You only give your Easy Switch ID and your customer number. The procedure has existed since 1 July 2017 and is mandatory for all operators.
What is an Easy Switch ID?
An Easy Switch ID is a unique code of numbers and letters that every customer with an internet or TV subscription in Belgium receives. Your new operator uses that code, together with your customer number, to find and cancel your old contract.
Where do I find my Easy Switch ID?
You find your Easy Switch ID on your invoice, usually on the first page next to your customer number, on your order confirmation or in the customer zone and app of your current operator. At Proximus it is in the detail section of your invoice and in MyProximus, at Telenet also in MyTelenet. If you cannot find it, ask customer service.
Where is the Telenet Easy Switch number?
The Telenet Easy Switch number is on your Telenet invoice, on your order confirmation and in MyTelenet. Give it to your new operator together with your Telenet customer number.
How does Easy Switch work?
You order internet or TV from your new operator and give your Easy Switch ID, your customer number and your preferred switching date. Your new operator activates your services and cancels your old contract, at the earliest on the day of activation. You return your rented modem and decoder yourself.
How far in advance should I switch to another provider?
You do not need to switch months in advance, because there is no legal notice period. Do give your Easy Switch details when you order, so your new operator can arrange everything before the installation.
Can I change from Telenet to Proximus?
Yes. Order internet or TV from Proximus and give the Easy Switch ID and customer number from your Telenet invoice. Proximus then cancels your Telenet subscription for you, and if you ask, Proximus also takes over your mobile numbers.
Does Easy Switch also work for a mobile plan?
Yes, but only if you switch at least your internet or TV: then your new operator also takes your mobile plans with it. If you only switch your mobile, you use number porting: your new operator takes over your number and cancels your old subscription for you.
How much compensation do I get if Easy Switch goes wrong?
You get 10 euros per day if you are without service for more than one working day, 6 euros per day if your new services are not active on the agreed date and 30 euros per missed appointment with a technician. You receive the first and the last compensation automatically, the second you request yourself.
