Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteiTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
Before changing NBN providers at the same address, verify five things in writing: the cost of ending your current service, the exact terms and availability of the new plan, the transfer details and likely interruption, compatibility of your phone, alarm and modem equipment, and how the old account will be closed and billed. The safest switch is a documented handover rather than an assumption that cancellation, activation and billing happen automatically.
1. Check your current contract before ordering anything
Read your current contract and Critical Information Summary (CIS), then confirm the contract end date with your provider. Ask specifically about every charge that could apply if you leave:
- early-termination or exit fees;
- notice-period charges;
- unpaid invoices or credits;
- equipment repayment or a non-return fee; and
- any discount that must be repaid when the service ends early.
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) warns that ending a contract early may attract a fee. Do not rely on a sales agent’s verbal estimate; ask for the amount, calculation method and cancellation date in writing. Check whether the provider requires a separate cancellation request even when another telco starts a transfer.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →2. Compare the new offer at your exact address
Use the new provider’s current CIS and full contract terms, not only an advertised headline price. NBN plan availability and the access technology serving one address can differ from another, even within the same suburb. Have the provider check the complete service address before you agree.
#1 Best Overall
- CABLE INTERNET AND WIFI MADE FOR YOUR HOME: This two-in-one cable modem and WiFi router puts every setting in your hands, from your WiFi names and passwords to how your network runs, so it works the way your household needs.
- APPROVED FOR YOUR PROVIDER AND PLAN: Works with Xfinity internet plans up to 800Mbps, Spectrum up to 1Gbps, and Cox up to 1Gbps. Not compatible with Verizon, AT&T, CenturyLink, DirecTV, DISH, or bundled voice plans. ISP activation required after setup.
- GET THE FULL SPEED OF YOUR PLAN: DOCSIS 3.1 supports Gigabit+ cable internet plans, so large downloads finish faster and 4K streaming, gaming, and video calls can all run at once. Actual speeds vary by plan and provider.
- WIFI 6 COVERAGE FOR THE WHOLE HOME: Stay connected in every room with dual-band AX2700 WiFi 6 covering up to 2,000 sq ft and capacity for 25+ connected devices. Real-world coverage depends on home size, layout, and building materials.
- WIRED CONNECTIONS FOR YOUR FASTEST DEVICES: Four Gigabit Ethernet ports keep gaming consoles, desktops, and streaming devices hardwired for the lowest latency and the most stable connection in your home.
| Compare | Questions to answer |
|---|---|
| Total price | What is the regular monthly price after any discount, how long does the discount last, and are setup, delivery or equipment charges added? |
| Speed | What speed tier is offered at this address, what typical busy-period speed information is published, and can your in-home equipment deliver it? |
| Usage conditions | Is data unlimited, and are there fair-use, traffic-management or other usage conditions? |
| Contract | Is the term month-to-month or fixed, and what cancellation, notice and equipment obligations apply? |
| Included equipment | Is a modem or router supplied, rented or optional, and who owns it when the service ends? |
| Support | What support channels and hours are available, and what is the process for faults, appointments and billing disputes? |
| Transfer arrangements | Will the provider transfer the existing service or place a new order, and what interruption should you expect? |
| Number and device continuity | Can your home number, medical alarm or other telephone-dependent service continue to operate? |
ACMA recommends comparing prices, features and terms in the CIS. Compare the total cost over the whole promotional period and the first few months at the ongoing price; a low introductory rate is not the same as a low long-term cost.
3. Get the transfer details and AVC ID in writing
For an existing NBN service being moved to another provider at the same address, obtain your current service’s AVC ID. Your existing telco can provide it, and it may also appear on a bill, customer portal or app. Give that identifier to the incoming provider so it can request the correct service transfer.
The AVC ID procedure applies to a same-address transfer. A house move, a change in access technology or a premises without an active NBN service can require a different order and separate installation checks. Tell the new provider if you are changing address or if the existing service is not currently active.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Ask how the handover will be scheduled
Before accepting the order, ask the incoming provider to state:
- whether the existing connection will be interrupted;
- the stage at which the new service is considered active;
- how you will be notified when the transfer is complete;
- whether you need to be present for any work; and
- what to do if the old service stops before the new credentials or equipment are ready.
ACMA says customers must be told whether an interruption is expected and should receive notice when a transfer is completed. Official guidance does not set one universal switch duration, so treat any quoted timing as an estimate for your address and order rather than a guarantee.
Rank #2
- CABLE INTERNET AND WIFI MADE FOR YOUR HOME: This two-in-one cable modem and WiFi router puts every setting in your hands, from your WiFi names and passwords to how your network runs, so it works the way your household needs.
- APPROVED FOR YOUR PROVIDER AND PLAN: Works with Xfinity internet plans up to 800Mbps and Cox plans up to 500Mbps. Not compatible with Verizon, AT&T, CenturyLink, DirecTV, DISH, or bundled voice plans. ISP activation required after setup.
- GET THE FULL SPEED OF PLANS UP TO 800 MBPS: DOCSIS 3.0 delivers plenty of speed for HD and 4K streaming, online gaming, and video calls across your home. Actual speeds vary by plan and provider.
- AC1900 WIFI COVERAGE FOR THE WHOLE HOME: Stay connected in every room with dual-band AC1900 WiFi covering up to 1,800 sq ft and Beamforming+ for stronger signal to mobile devices. Real-world coverage depends on home size, layout, and building materials.
- WIRED CONNECTIONS FOR YOUR FASTEST DEVICES: Four Gigabit Ethernet ports keep gaming consoles, desktops, and streaming devices hardwired for the lowest latency and the most stable connection in your home.
4. Protect your phone number, alarm and other connected services
If retaining a home telephone number matters, ask the new provider to confirm number portability before the order is submitted. Verify whether the number is being transferred, replaced or disconnected, and ask when the old voice service will stop. Keep written confirmation of the number and the planned cutover.
Ask whether the change affects a medical alarm, personal emergency response unit, monitored security alarm, fax, lift phone or any other device that uses the telephone connection. nbn specifically advises customers to ask whether existing telephone or medical-alarm services will be affected. A device that depends on a particular line, dial tone or battery backup may need approval, reconfiguration or a different connection from its equipment provider.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Contact the alarm or safety-device provider before switching. Confirm that it supports the access technology and voice arrangement supplied by the new telco, and ask how it will test the device after activation. Do not assume that a working internet connection proves that an emergency device is operational.
5. Check the modem and router before buying another one
Ask the incoming provider whether your current modem or router works with the address’s NBN access technology and the chosen plan. A modem used on Fibre to the Node (FTTN) or Fibre to the Building (FTTB) needs VDSL2 compatibility. Other access types may have different connection requirements, and some providers require particular settings or equipment.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) notes that customer-premises equipment and in-home setup can limit the maximum speed a household receives from a plan. Wi-Fi placement, cabling, older hardware and the capabilities of connected devices can all affect the result even when the NBN line is working normally.
Rank #3
- DUAL-BAND WIFI 6 ROUTER: Wi-Fi 6(802.11ax) technology achieves faster speeds, greater capacity and reduced network congestion compared to the previous gen. All WiFi routers require a separate modem. Dual-Band WiFi routers do not support the 6 GHz band.
- AX1800: Enjoy smoother and more stable streaming, gaming, downloading with 1.8 Gbps total bandwidth (up to 1200 Mbps on 5 GHz and up to 574 Mbps on 2.4 GHz). Performance varies by conditions, distance to devices, and obstacles such as walls.
- CONNECT MORE DEVICES: Wi-Fi 6 technology communicates more data to more devices simultaneously using revolutionary OFDMA technology
- EXTENSIVE COVERAGE: Achieve the strong, reliable WiFi coverage with Archer AX1800 as it focuses signal strength to your devices far away using Beamforming technology, 4 high-gain antennas and an advanced front-end module (FEM) chipset
- OUR CYBERSECURITY COMMITMENT: TP-Link is a signatory of the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s (CISA) Secure-by-Design pledge. This device is designed, built, and maintained, with advanced security as a core requirement.
Keep the existing equipment if the provider confirms that it is compatible and adequate. Replace it only when the provider identifies an incompatibility, missing feature or performance limitation. If a new device is supplied, ask whether it is included, leased, refundable or subject to a non-return charge, and save the return instructions for the old device.
6. Confirm installation, appointments and extra charges
Ask whether the transfer can be completed remotely or whether a technician must attend. Requirements vary with the premises, the NBN access technology and the state of the existing connection. Confirm:
- the earliest order and activation dates;
- whether an adult must be present;
- where equipment will be installed;
- whether internal cabling, power or wall access is required;
- appointment cancellation or missed-appointment fees; and
- all installation, delivery, setup and equipment costs.
nbn advises allowing time for order processing and installation where applicable. A provider may be able to place the order immediately but still depend on appointment availability or work at the premises. Do not cancel the old service solely because an order has been lodged; wait for the incoming provider’s confirmation of the actual transfer or activation plan.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.7. Use a written switch-day checklist
Keep the following information together in an email, note or printed file:
- The new provider’s name, plan, CIS and contract.
- The agreed monthly price, discount end date and one-off charges.
- Your AVC ID and current account number.
- The expected interruption notice and completion notification method.
- Phone-number portability details and alarm or medical-device confirmation.
- Modem or router model, required settings and return instructions.
- Technician appointment details, if any.
- Customer-support contact details and the order reference.
On the scheduled day, leave the old equipment connected unless the provider tells you otherwise. Follow the new provider’s activation instructions, test wired and Wi-Fi access, and call support promptly if the service does not match the agreed order. Record the time the old service stops and the time the new service becomes usable.
Rank #4
- input voltage：100 -240V
- SAVE MONTHLY RENTAL FEES: Model C7000 replaces your cable modem and WiFi router saving you up to $150/yr in equipment rental fees. System Requirements Cable broadband Internet service, Check your cable Internet service provider web site for data speed tier compatibility, Not compatible with Cable bundled voice services.
- BUILT FOR FAST SPEED: Best for cable provider plans up to 800 Mbps speed
- FAST Wi Fi PERFORMANCE: Get up to 1800 sq ft wireless coverage and 30 devices connected
- VERSATILE CONNECTIONS: 4 Gigabit Ethernet ports give you fast wired connections to your computer,, game box, and other devices. One USB port for storage devices.
8. Check the old account after the new service works
Once the new connection is confirmed, sign in to the old provider’s portal or contact it to verify that the old service is closed. Save the transfer confirmation, cancellation reference, final meter or usage information if relevant, and copies of both providers’ messages.
Review the final bill for the service dates, notice-period charges, equipment fees, credits and refunds. The Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (TIO) January 2026 position statement describes complaints from NBN customers who received notice-period billing after a transfer, including cases in which customers believed cancellation was complete. One illustrative case involved a bill of nearly $6,000; it is a case example, not a typical cost or a population statistic.
If the old provider bills you for a period when it no longer supplied the service, ask it to explain the charge and provide the cancellation record. Use the provider’s internal complaint process and keep the complaint reference. If the response does not resolve the issue, ACMA says you can take the complaint to the TIO.
9. Know which company handles each problem
nbn operates the wholesale network. Your retail phone and internet provider is the party to contact about your plan, price, speed information, connection delay, appointment, equipment, billing, inclusions and most service faults. Start with that provider and give it your order or account reference.
Recommended Free Tools
Escalate through the provider’s complaint process when ordinary support does not resolve the matter. The TIO can consider an unresolved telecommunications complaint after you have given the provider an opportunity to respond. Keep dates, names, reference numbers, screenshots and bills so the issue can be assessed against what you were promised.
Quick Recap
Questions to answer before you approve the order
- What will I pay to leave the current service, including notice and equipment charges?
- What is the new plan’s ongoing price, contract term and total promotional-period cost?
- Is the plan available at my exact address and on its access technology?
- Has the provider recorded my AVC ID for a same-address transfer?
- Will service be interrupted, and how will completion be confirmed?
- Will my home number, medical alarm or other telephone-dependent device continue to work?
- Can I keep my modem, and does it support the access technology and plan?
- Are a technician visit, internal setup or extra fees required?
- How and when will the old account be cancelled, and what final bill should I expect?
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
