Frustrated with slow internet, rising monthly bills, or constant buffering? Switching providers might sound like a hassle, but it doesn’t have to be.
The good news? You don’t have to sacrifice your internet connection while making the switch. With a little planning, you can get your new Connexion service up and running before disconnecting your current provider. The five steps below walk you through it, from checking your address to returning your old equipment.
Can You Switch Internet Providers Without Losing Service?
Yes, you can switch internet providers without losing service, even if your household relies on the internet for remote work and school.
Since Connexion’s fiber network uses a separate connection from traditional cable internet, you can keep your current service active while your new connection is installed. Once Connexion is up and running, you can cancel your old service.
To manage the switch smoothly and keep your household connected, follow these steps.
5 Steps to Switch Internet Providers in Fort Collins
1. Check if Connexion Is Available at Your Address
Before comparing speed plans or canceling existing services, confirm physical network availability at your specific address.
In Fort Collins, our municipal fiber network passes single-family properties across the city, and many apartment communities are already wired for direct service. If a multi-family property does not yet have fiber, bringing access to individual units requires an agreement between property management and our team.
Checking your address also reveals whether your residence is already lit up with an active fiber jack from a prior resident or needs an initial exterior line drop.
2. Review Your Current Internet Plan
Check your latest bill for contract end dates, equipment rental fees, and billing cutoff dates before placing a new order.
If your existing provider enrolled you in an annual contract, canceling early can trigger termination fees. Month-to-month plans let you disconnect anytime without penalty.
Reviewing your bill also clarifies hardware charges. Cable providers often add recurring monthly rental fees for modems and routers, whereas we include standard Wi-Fi gateway hardware in our base rate with zero equipment leases.
Finally, check your billing cycle dates. Many providers bill on a full-cycle basis without prorating final statements, so scheduling disconnection near the close of your cycle prevents paying for unused days.
3. Schedule Installation Before Canceling Your Existing Provider
To prevent internet outages, schedule your new installation appointment before notifying your current provider to disconnect. Ordering three weeks in advance gives you the best opportunity to secure an appointment window that matches your schedule.
Keep your existing internet subscription active until your new fiber connection is tested and running inside the home.
Installation depends on whether your home has been connected to our network before. If someone had our service in your home before you, the fiber is already in place, so setup is quick and often only takes a short visit or a simple self-install. If your home has never been connected, a crew will bring fiber to your home a few days before your appointment, and a technician will finish the setup inside. If you’re not sure which applies to you, call 970-212-2900 and our team can help.
4. Test Your Current Connection
Test your broadband speed with a direct Ethernet connection immediately after installation before reconnecting wireless devices. Plugging a computer directly into the gateway confirms full symmetrical bandwidth without Wi-Fi interference.
Once verified, set your new router network name (SSID) and password to match your previous network. Laptops, phones, streaming devices, and smart home appliances will reconnect automatically without manual reconfiguration.
5. Cancel Your Previous Account and Return Leased Equipment
Contact your previous internet provider to formally terminate your subscription only after your new fiber service is tested and active, following these two closing steps:
- Call your previous provider to schedule disconnection for the close of your current billing cycle, and request written confirmation of your account closure date
- Collect all rented modems, routers, power supplies, and connecting cables
- Each provider maintains specific return procedures, which often involve drop-offs at a local retail center or an authorized shipping carrier
- Always request a dated physical return receipt showing each item serial number to prevent unexpected unreturned equipment fees
How Does Connexion Compare to Cable?
The comparison below highlights the operational differences Fort Collins residents experience between our municipal fiber and traditional cable.
| Comparison Metric | Fort Collins Connexion Fiber | Traditional Cable | Household Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median upload speed (higher Mbps is better) | 246.96 Mbps | 98.85 Mbps | Eliminates video buffering and accelerates cloud file transfers |
| Median latency (lower milliseconds (ms) is better) | 8 to 9 ms | 22 to 24 ms | Produces responsive gaming and lag-free video calls |
| Upload versus download balance | Symmetrical on every plan | Upload speeds well below download speeds | Prevents network bottlenecks when multiple devices upload at once |
| Contract terms | None on residential plans | Varies by plan, with some tiers carrying a 1-year term | Protects households from early termination penalties |
| Equipment fees | Standard Wi-Fi gateway included | Varies, with some plans charging a monthly gateway fee | Saves recurring equipment rental costs on monthly statements |
| Final billing and cancellation | Prorated or flexible closing with no early termination penalties | Full-cycle advance billing with potential early termination fees | Avoids paying for unused service days or contract exit penalties |
| Customer support | Local Fort Collins team with 24/7 technical support | National call centers and automated routing | Direct access to local technicians and faster issue resolution |
Speed and latency figures are median results from Ookla Speedtest Intelligence data for Fort Collins, recorded from December 2024 through December 2025. Contract terms, cancellation policies, and fee structures reflect published residential subscriber agreements and standard broadband disclosures for regional providers in Larimer County. Individual plan features vary by address and service tier.
Ready to Switch Without the Downtime?
Switching internet service does not have to disrupt remote workdays or leave your family waiting in the dark. By timing your installation before canceling your existing plan, you keep your home connected through every phase of the transition.
Schedule your service online or call 970-212-2900 to connect with our local team and plan your switch.
Sign Up Your Way
If you’d rather talk through your switch with someone in person, our Residential Sales Representatives are your personal, local resource for getting fiber internet and home services set up with confidence. They can answer your questions, explain service plans, check address availability, and guide you through installation.
If you’d like one of our reps to come to you, email sales@fcconnexion.com to ask about available appointment times.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to switch internet providers?
Most standard installations finish within two weeks from scheduling, and we recommend reaching out three weeks in advance. If your residence is already pre-wired for fiber, setup moves faster because outdoor line placement is already complete. The in-home technician visit takes one to two hours, and maintaining your existing provider until the new connection is verified prevents downtime during the transition.
Do you have to pay to cancel your current service?
Whether you’ll owe a cancellation fee depends on your current provider and your plan, so check your latest bill or ask your provider’s customer service team about your contract end date and any early termination fees before you cancel. We don’t have long-term contracts, so switching to us won’t lock you into a new term. Depending on how your provider bills, canceling near the end of your billing cycle may also help you avoid paying for days you won’t use.
Do you need a technician for fiber installation?
Installation timelines can vary depending on your address. If Connexion is already available at your home, getting connected may be quicker, especially if fiber equipment is already installed. If a new connection is needed, a technician visit is required, and our team will walk you through the installation process.
What happens to your old router when you switch?
You must return your old router and power accessories if you lease equipment from your previous provider. Each company enforces specific return timelines and drop-off procedures to avoid replacement penalties. Customers who purchased their router outright are free to keep it or configure it to work alongside the new fiber gateway.
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