Broadband is one of those bills that can sit on direct debit for years because changing it sounds more annoying than paying it.

That makes renewal time worth ten minutes of attention.

Ofcom, the regulator for phone and internet services, says your provider must tell you when your contract is coming to an end.

The end-of-contract notification should arrive between 10 and 40 days before the minimum term, the period you agree to keep the contract, ends and show the end date, the price you pay now, what you will pay afterwards, any notice period and the provider's best available deals.

So before pressing "renew", check five things.

1. What will you actually pay after the current deal ends?

Do not compare only the introductory price. Look at the price that applies once any discount finishes and the total cost over the new minimum term.

2. Are you already out of contract?

If you are, you can shop around. Ofcom, the regulator for phone and internet services, says customers who are out of contract can often get a better deal by taking a new contract or switching provider.

3. Are you paying for speed you do not use?

A home with several people streaming, gaming and working online may benefit from faster full fibre, which uses fibre-optic cable all the way to the home.

 A lighter-use household may not notice enough difference to justify paying for the fastest package available.

4. What is available at your exact Peterborough address?

Do not rely on a citywide coverage percentage. Broadband availability can differ by street, building and even individual flat.

Use an address checker and compare the networks that can actually serve your home.

5. What happens if you move or cancel early?

Check fees for ending the contract early, home-move rules and any installation cost before signing another long contract.

Renters or people in flats may also need permission for new cabling or equipment.

Compare the whole contract cost. Write down:

• current price

• price after the current term

• new-contract price

• minimum term

• any setup or exit charge

• speed you actually need

Then compare like with like.

If your current provider still wins after that, staying is perfectly sensible. Loyalty is not the problem.

Paying more because you never checked is.