How to switch broadband provider: A complete guide

Switching broadband providers doesn’t have to be a hassle—whether you're looking for better speeds, more reliable service, or simply a better deal, we’re here to make the process as smooth as possible. In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about changing broadband providers, from placing your order with GoFibre to getting connected to our ultra-fast, ultra-reliable full fibre network.

Switch broadband providers in 4 easy steps

1. Check your postcode – First, see if we’re available in your area. Just pop your postcode into our checker, and you’ll know in seconds.
2. Choose your package – Choose the broadband plan that suits you best. We’ve got options for every need.
3. Choose your support options – At checkout, you can choose Switching Credit to receive up to £200 to help cover any cancellation fees from your old provider. And if you'd like us to handle the switch, select One Touch Switching and we'll manage the cancellation process with your current provider.
4. We’ll be in touch – Once you’ve placed your order, we’ll contact you within 24 hours to confirm the next steps.

How long does it take to change broadband provider

Switching to GoFibre usually takes, on average, around 14 days from when you place your order. This gives us enough time to ensure everything is set up and to schedule your installation at a convenient date and time, so you can enjoy your new full fibre connection with minimal disruption.

What happens after I decide to switch broadband providers?

Switching broadband provider is simple—just place your order online! First, check if we're available in your area, then pick the broadband package that suits you. When you place your order, you’ll have the option to choose One Touch Switching, where we’ll take care of everything for you. You won’t need to contact your current provider—we’ll handle the whole switch and set up your new GoFibre connection.

Once your order is in, our team will get in touch with you within 24 hours to confirm everything and let you know what’s coming next. If all goes smoothly, we’ll schedule a time for our engineer to come and install your new full fibre connection. We aim to book installation appointments within 7 days, so things will move quickly.

Sometimes, we might need to carry out a survey before the installation if your property requires some extra work. This is just a quick visit where our engineer checks the best way to get you connected. Once the survey’s done, we’ll set up your installation date.

On average, it takes about 14 days from placing your order to getting you fully connected. Don’t worry—we’ll keep you updated the whole way, so you’ll always know what’s going on!

What if I’m stuck in a contract? Will I need to pay early termination charges?

Most broadband contracts come with a minimum term—typically around 12 or 24 months. If you’re still within that period, you might encounter early termination charges. You might be wondering, 'When can I switch broadband without penalty?' The good news is that at GoFibre, we offer a switching credit of up to £200 to help cover those cancellation fees when you make the move to us. This means you can switch to GoFibre early and avoid those penalty charges—we’ve got you covered!

If you want to confirm whether you would need to pay early cancellation fees before switching and how much that is, you can find out by checking your original broadband contract—it usually has all the details about any fees you might face. Many providers also have online customer portals where you can log in and see your account info, including contract terms and potential fees.

In any case, when you place your order online with us using One Touch Switching (an optional service where we handle the cancellation for you—no effort needed on your part), you’ll receive a text or email from your old provider letting you know if there are any cancellation fees.

Do I need to cancel my broadband before switching or tell them I am switching?

You don’t need to worry about cancelling your broadband or letting your current provider know you’re switching—unless you prefer to handle it yourself.

If you choose GoFibre’s One Touch Switching, we’ll take care of everything for you. You can opt in this service when you place your order online. At the final step of the order process, you’ll be asked if you want to use this service. All you need to do is select “Yes”, and we’ll manage the rest, including contacting your current provider to arrange the switch.

Will I be without internet if I switch broadband provider?

We get it—no one wants to be stuck without the internet. Fortunately, we’re here to ensure your service keeps going without a hitch.

When switching broadband providers, you can choose to do the switching yourself, or use our One Touch Switching service. With One Touch Switching, we coordinate directly with your old provider, making sure there’s no gap in your broadband service. Your new GoFibre connection will be activated on the start date we provide, and we’ll ensure your old service is switched off right when your new one goes live. This means you can carry on doing what you love online with minimal or no disruption.

If you decide to cancel your old provider yourself, there could be a brief period where you’re without internet, as it depends on the timing of when your old service ends and your new one starts. To avoid any disruption, we recommend you only cancel your old service once you’re up and running with your GoFibre connection.

No matter which route you take, we’ll support you through every step of the process to make sure your switch to GoFibre goes as smoothly as possible—without leaving you hanging.

Do I need an engineer to install full fibre broadband?

To get you set up with full fibre, we’ll need one of our engineers to pop round. The installation usually takes about 2-3 hours, so it’s not too long—but it’s definitely hands-on to make sure everything’s running smoothly.

We do ask that someone is at home while the engineer works their magic. That way, they can access everything they need to get your connection up and running. Once it’s done, you’ll be ready to enjoy ultra-fast, ultra-reliable internet—no trouble, just full fibre!

Check out our full fibre installation guide for all the details on what to expect and how we’ll set up your connection!

How much does it cost to get full fibre installed?

Installation is free, provided we’re able to connect you using the standard method. However, in the rare case that your property requires extra work due to specific circumstances, there may be an additional charge. For example, if you have a particularly long driveway or would prefer an underground connection rather than using a pole, we’ll discuss what’s known as “exceptional engineering charges” with you beforehand. This way, you’ll know exactly what to expect before we proceed with the installation.

Are there any other costs associated with switching broadband providers?

When switching broadband providers, the only costs you might need to consider are potential cancellation fees from your old provider. Don’t worry, though – we’ll help cover these with our switching credit of up to £200. Installation of your new full fibre connection is free, as long as we can carry out a standard installation. In rare cases, if additional work is required, we may discuss 'exceptional engineering charges' for installation. You’ll also receive a free router as part of the package. If you’d like to keep your landline number, there is a one-off £30 transfer fee.

Can I keep my landline number?

Want to hang on to your landline number? No problem! For a one-off £30 transfer fee, we can make it happen. It usually takes around 14 days to get everything sorted, and all you’ll need to do is fill out a quick form—we’ll take care of the rest.

Not feeling attached to your old number? No worries! We can set you up with a shiny new one, with your area code, and it won’t cost you a thing.

Just a heads-up: if you’ve already cancelled your old broadband service, we might not be able to transfer your number. But don’t worry—we’ll work with you to find the best solution.

Do I need to change my router when I change provider?

Yes, you will need to change your router when you switch to GoFibre. But don’t worry—we’ll provide you with a brand-new, high-quality router that’s fully optimised for our full fibre network. Our router is designed to give you the best possible speeds, whether you’re working, streaming, or gaming. Plus, it’ll ensure your home Wi-Fi runs smoothly from day one, so you won’t have to worry about compatibility or a complicated router setup.

Who should I contact for more information or support with switching to GoFibre?

If you need more information or support with switching to GoFibre, we’re here to help! Simply head over to this page and send us a message. We’ll get back to you as quickly as possible.

If you’d rather speak to someone, you can reach our friendly customer service team on 0800 059 0980. We’re available Monday to Friday, from 8am to 8pm, and on Saturday from 9am to 5pm.

Also, don’t forget to check out our FAQs for answers to some common questions. You might find exactly what you need there!

We’re here to make the switch as smooth as possible for you, so don’t hesitate to reach out!