Check availability and your current contract early, then agree the move with the provider. Confirm whether the new property needs an engineer or just activation, and keep a temporary connection plan for any gap.
Before your next order, compare London’s fibre networks and coverage alongside the practical steps in this guide.
Check before choosing a package
Use the complete new address, including the flat number, to investigate the orderable options. A listing saying fibre available should prompt a check, not replace one. Ask about the actual connection in the property rather than relying on a speed quoted for the area.
If you can visit, note what fixed equipment is present and where it sits. Avoid disconnecting anything during a viewing. A photograph of the equipment label, with the occupier's permission, can help a provider identify the setup.
Ask what happens to the existing contract
Openreach advises customers still in a minimum term to discuss the move with their retail provider, including fees and any change of technology. Moving from one address to another does not itself tell you what your contractual options are.
Request a clear written summary of the old service's end date, the new service's start date, any new minimum term and the total charges. Compare a transfer offer with alternatives only after understanding those details.
Distinguish activation from installation
An existing fibre termination may make the setup simpler, but the provider must confirm that it belongs to the network you are ordering and that the service can be activated. A missing or incomplete connection may require work and an appointment.
For a flat, establish whether the building is already ready for the chosen network. Do not schedule an essential home-working day around an unconfirmed assumption that the visible equipment will simply work.
Prepare for dates to move
A tenancy start, key collection, installation and work commitment can each change. Keep the provider updated and ask what happens if access is delayed. Book appointments only when someone can actually let the engineer in.
For temporary internet, test mobile reception in the rooms you will use and check the data allowance and tethering terms. A signal outside the building does not guarantee the same experience at a desk indoors.
- Keep the order and current account references handy.
- Confirm the full new address matches the order.
- Arrange any access or landlord permissions.
- Know which equipment to take and which to leave.
- Keep a temporary connection and charging plan.
Run a practical check after moving in
Start by testing the service at the router, then in the important rooms. Check work VPNs, television devices and any connected household equipment. Update saved Wi-Fi details as needed.
If a problem occurs, record whether it affects a wired device, one wireless room or every device. That distinction gives support a useful starting point and helps avoid confusing an activation issue with a coverage issue.
Finish the old address properly
Check the final bill and follow equipment-return instructions. Leave fixed network equipment in place unless the network or provider tells you otherwise. Securely reset any personal router you are selling or giving away.
Store the new contract, support details and installation records. The next renewal is easier when you know which network and service are actually in use.
Your questions, answered.
Can I take my old router to the new home?
Ask the provider. It may be reusable, need returning or be unsuitable for the new service. Fixed network equipment such as an ONT usually has a different role from your router.
Will moving home let me leave a contract for free?
Do not assume so. The answer depends on the contract and the provider's moving-home policy; ask for the implications before agreeing the move.
Sources & further reading
Official information behind this guide. Links checked 29 October 2026; individual datasets retain their stated reference dates.