🤔 Guide to Seamless Fibre ISP Switch in Western Cape #
Tired of buffering, slow speeds, getting ghosted by support or unreliable service from your current ISP? Wondering how quick it is to switch ISPs with minimal downtime and if there’s a better fibre option out there?
A MyBroadBand’s readership survey found that 26% of people are considering switching to a different ISP to do just that.
We put this guide together to explain how to make the switch to our high-speed fibre internet seamlessly with minimal downtime.
As a top fibre ISP on Octotel, Frogfoot, Vumatel, and Openserve networks in Cape Town and Cape Winelands, Atomic makes switching ISP fast and frustration-free. We’re here to guide you through the process, addressing your top concerns like timelines, disruptions, and what to expect.
Quick Summary of the Process #
1. Check Your Eligibility and Coverage #
- Switching ISPs won’t require new fibre cabling; it’s just a backend change with the fibre network operator.
- Start by confirming Atomic’s fibre coverage in your area. Use our fibre coverage checker tool to see the availability of our fibre packages in your area.
- Ensure your line is active and not under a long-term contract with your current ISP. If you’re in a contract, check for early termination fees and clawbacks with your current ISP.
2. Choose Your Atomic Package #
- Select from our flexible home and business fibre plans, up to 1Gbps. All include uncapped, unthrottled data, free router installation, and no installation fees for switches.
3. Cancel with our existing ISP and find the last day of service. #
- Contact your ISP and notify them that you would like to cancel. Get your last day of service and check for any early cancellation fees, clawback fees and if you need to return any devices like your WiFi router.
- ISPs generally require one calendar months notice, however, in some circumstances, you can waive your notice period, but you will most likely still have to pay them for the notice period.
- Terminations normally happen at the turn of the month, after your notice period is up.
4. Order with Atomic and let us know when the service should start. #
- Place an order on our website, with your desired Fibre Network package and WiFi router
- We will check the order and communicate with you any relevant information that is needed
5. Migration and Activation #
- Atomic coordinates with the underlying network operator (e.g., Vuma or Openserve) to port your line when the notice period with your old ISP is up.
- How quick is the actual switch? The migration itself is usually instant and normally happens around midnight. There is usually a little bit of downtime – the time it takes to update your Router settings. See common pitfalls below for edge cases.
- When the line is provisioned, we’ll keep you updated via SMS/email.
- If we are supply a new router, we aim to deliver it before to your migration, and it will be pre-configured.
- If you are using your own WiFi router, check which router settings need to change; it is usually a 5-minute process switching from PPPoE to DHCP, or updating your PPPoE settings if you are on Openserve. We are always happy to help.
6. Go Live with Atomic #
- Boom! Your fibre connection is upgraded.
- Test your new fibre speeds and enjoy perks like our excellent uptime, low latencies and epic support.
Addressing Your Top Questions: How Quick Is It Really to Switch ISPs? #
⏱️ How long does it take to switch ISPs?
This depends on your current contract notice period and the underlying Fibre Network Operator providing the fibre, but from a technical standpoint, this can be done in as little as 1 business day.
🧩 Is switching ISP difficult? There’s a little bit of admin involved, especially if your old ISP makes it difficult to contact them to cancel, and you might need to reconfigure your WiFi router or plug in a new one if we are providing one.
️⚡️ Can you switch ISP without downtime? Technically, no, there is always a little bit of downtime. This can be as little as the time it takes to reconfigure your WiFi router or plug in your new one when your new service is activated. Forum users on MyBroadband report experiences like “only 2 hours offline” or “seamless overnight switch,” but warn that uncooperative ISPs can cause delays. With Atomic, we proactively manage this to keep downtime to a minumum.
Common Pitfalls and How We Avoid Them: #
🚧 Your old ISP doesn’t log the cancellation with the Fibre Network operator
If this happens, your old ISP will turn off your existing service and the fibre line will be locked to the old ISP. We highly recommend you get written confirmation from your old ISP that they have logged the cancellation with the Fibre Network Operator.
💵 Billing Overlaps
If you choose to waive your notice period with your old ISP, they will still bill you for the remainder of your notice period. We have also seen instances where old ISPs continue to bill for the service after it’s been migrated – you will need to take this up with your old ISP.
🚚 What if I’m Moving?
Switching ISPs is separate from address changes; we handle both. Please review our moving properties support guide.
👾 Failed Provisioning
In a small number of cases, the Fibre Network Operators’ provisioning of the new service fails. In this case, we will need to open a ticket with the Fibre Network Operator and ask them to investigate the provisioning.
💭 Final thoughts
Switching ISPs is not as hard as it seems, and when our customers say things like “I wish I had done this sooner” and “I am finally getting the speed I am paying for”, we think switching ISPs is worth it. Life is too short to live with crummy internet.
Why Choose Atomic for Your ISP Switch?
- Fast, Low Latency Fibre: Blazing speeds with low latency for 4K streaming, online gaming, and smart homes.
- Epic Fibre and WiFi Support: Contact us on the phone, email or live chat and speak to someone that knows fibre and WiFi in and out. We also offer easy to understand, well written support guides.
Thousands of people have signed up with Atomic and never looked back.
“My only regret is that I didn’t sign up sooner. Atomic Access has been excellent, start to finish – the prices are on par with the rest of the industry, but the support is second-to-none, and I mean what I say – they helped me save over R1600 from a short WhatsApp conversation alone. No other ISP’s service has come close, and I recommend Atomic Access without hesitation.” – Wogan M
Ready to Switch and Upgrade to Atomic? #
Life is too short for subpar internet and support
Start by:
- Cancel with Your Current ISP: Give your notice now.
- Choose Your Package: Pick the right fibre plan for your home or business.
- Sign Up: Apply online and let us handle the rest.
