How do I switch internet providers in Switzerland without an internet outage?
Order the new internet connection before canceling your existing one. Coordinate the activation date with the end of your current provider's contract, wait for confirmation of the activation date and the new hardware, and clarify separately who is responsible for initiating the cancellation. With landline number porting, certain parts of a contract may be canceled automatically by some providers.
What should you clarify before switching providers?
First, check the contract term, cancellation notice period, and desired activation date for your current internet connection. Do not cancel your existing service in advance before you know when the new connection can be provided.
If you want to keep your landline number, the porting process must also be coordinated. Green notes that with landline number porting, certain contract components may be canceled automatically by some providers. You should confirm with your current provider whether this affects your entire existing contract.
In what order should you organize the switch?
The safest approach is to order the new connection first and then coordinate the cancellation of the existing connection with the confirmed switch date.
| Step | What you should do | Why it matters |
| 1 | Check the contract end date and cancellation notice period with your current provider | Helps avoid unnecessary fees or having your service disconnected too early |
| 2 | Check availability of the new connection at your address | Shows which connection technology can be provided |
| 3 | Order the new connection with your preferred activation date | Green allows activation dates for new orders up to four months in advance |
| 4 | Wait for confirmation of the activation date | Only then can you properly coordinate the end of your existing connection |
| 5 | Clarify cancellation and, if applicable, landline number porting | Porting may automatically terminate certain contract components with some providers |
| 6 | Have the router ready and test the new connection on the activation date | Green ships the required hardware preconfigured as standard |
What should you consider with a fiber-optic connection?
If you already have a fiber-optic connection, the existing in-building installation can generally continue to be used when switching providers. The Swiss Federal Office of Communications states that, because FTTH in-building installations are standardized, lines, outlets, and connection boxes can generally continue to be used.
If Green needs the OTO ID of your fiber-optic outlet during the order process, you can find it directly on the OTO outlet. The OTO ID helps uniquely identify the existing fiber-optic connection. Whether additional installation work is required at your address depends on the specific connection situation.
What should you do on the switch date?
Keep your existing connection active until the agreed switch time and only put the new router into operation according to the activation instructions. Then test the internet connection with a device connected directly by cable and afterward over Wi-Fi.
A completely interruption-free switch cannot be guaranteed in every case. If you absolutely need to be online that day, for example for working from home, a mobile hotspot can be a useful temporary backup connection.
How do you check the right Green offer for your address?
First, check which internet connections and speeds are available at your address. The technology and bandwidth actually available depend on the location. Only then can the activation date for the provider switch be planned in detail. Green uses, among others, the networks of Swisscom, Salt, and local network operators.
FAQ
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Can I continue using my existing router after switching providers?
With Green, you can use your own hardware as long as the router supports the technology used for your connection. Routers from other internet providers may, however, be configured or approved specifically for their own networks. Green does not provide the same level of configuration support for customer-owned hardware as for devices supplied by Green.
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Do I need a new OTO outlet when switching fiber-optic providers?
Usually not just because you are switching providers. According to the Swiss Federal Office of Communications, Swiss FTTH in-building installations are standardized so that passive components such as lines and fiber-optic outlets can continue to be used when changing providers. Whether additional work is required at a specific address must be checked by the new provider during the ordering process.
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What happens when my landline number is ported?
With number porting, your existing landline number is transferred to the new provider. Green does not charge its own fee for porting. However, if the port takes place before your current contract ends, the previous provider may charge fees. In addition, with some providers, certain contract components may be canceled automatically as a result of the port.