Switching ISPs: Is It Ok for Connections to Overlap?

PurchaseAnxiety on 09/01/2017 - 20:20
Last edited 09/01/2017 - 20:38

Hi all.

My contract with my ISP is coming up soon, and I'm looking to switch. Obviously, I would like as little downtime as possible between connections. So I was wondering, will signing up with one ISP while still connected with another cause any complications? Will I be charged for both plans at the same time (which I'd be ok with)? Or will my old ISP automatically terminate my service, similar to porting a mobile number over?

EDIT: Sorry, forgot to mention I have NBN, not ADSL, if that makes a difference.

Internet

Comments

  • tomsco on 09/01/2017 - 20:34

    My understanding is that the old ISP may still bill you for the rest of the service, but the changeover can be prior.

  • John Kimble on 09/01/2017 - 20:36

    The following applies to adsl… Dunno about cable or other.

    If your old and new ISPs support churning (most do these days), then yes you are meant to sign up to the new ISP and they will handle the cancellation with the old ISP.

    Downtime length is unavoidable if a technician needs to go to the exchange and complete physical work. Can be a day or two or a couple of weeks.

    http://www.internode.on.net/support/faq/adsl/getting_connect…

    https://www.whistleout.com.au/Broadband/Guides/how-hard-is-i…

    • PurchaseAnxiety on 09/01/2017 - 20:38

      Thanks for the info, but I'm on NBN (forgot to mention in OP)

      • brokenglish on 09/01/2017 - 21:02

        What type of NBN device do you have at home? Where is the cable going to from the back of your router?
        If this is how it looks like, you can get 4 ISPs concurrently connected to your premise - therefore you don't have to cancel the current ISP before getting the new ISP.
        If there's only one wall socket, then there might be 0-3 days downtime depending on your new ISP.

        • PurchaseAnxiety on 09/01/2017 - 21:05

          I've got FTTH, so it's the first one. So I'm guessing the new ISP simply activate a different port on the modem?

        • brokenglish on 09/01/2017 - 21:07

          @OldMateNate: Correct, when you get the new ISP, it will be on the next UNI-D port. Say your current one is UNI-D 1, the new ISP will be through UNI-D 2. You can cancel the current ISP after getting the new port connected to avoid downtime.

        • PurchaseAnxiety on 09/01/2017 - 21:11
          +1

          @brokenglish: Great. Thanks for the info mate.

  • rldowling03 on 09/01/2017 - 21:53

    When I switched my NBN from Optus to TPG about 18 months ago, TPG put their line on port 2 of the NBN box with Optus on the first port. They were both active for about a week before I called Optus to switch it off.

    I imagine it should work the same, just get the new telco to put their connection on a different port than your current and then cut the original ISP off once the new one is all setup and working.

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