Because fibre is open-access, the cable to your home stays the same no matter who you buy from. Switching ISP is mostly paperwork — the trick is sequencing it so you’re never disconnected.
You keep your line
Your network operator (Vumatel, Openserve, etc.) owns the fibre; your ISP just rents capacity on it. Switching ISP means handing that rental over — no trenching, usually no technician, and you keep the same physical connection.
The overlap trick
The safest way to avoid downtime is a brief overlap: activate the new ISP before cancelling the old one. You may pay a few overlapping days on both, but you stay online the whole time and avoid a cancellation gap.
Heads up: some operators only allow one active ISP per line, forcing a “port” instead of an overlap. In that case the changeover is quick — often under an hour — but schedule it for a time you won’t miss the internet.
Step by step
- Check your contract — note any remaining term or early-cancellation fee with your current ISP.
- Order with the new ISP and tell them it’s a takeover of an existing active line (have your address and current provider handy).
- Confirm the switch date the operator gives the new ISP.
- Cancel the old ISP for the day after the new service is confirmed live — giving notice per their terms.
- Re-log your router with the new ISP’s username and password once active.
Common gotchas
- Notice periods: most ISPs need 30 days’ cancellation notice — give it early to avoid double-billing.
- Router lock: if your current router was a free-to-keep deal, confirm it’ll work with the new ISP, or use theirs.
- Static IPs / email: if you rely on an ISP email address or static IP, sort a replacement before you leave.