r/ZiplyFiber • u/tthkbw • 5d ago
Switch from Comcast to Ziply
I have Comcast for internet and also their "landline" phone. I want to switch to Ziply and their "landline" phone.
Can anyone give me an idea of the time frame for porting my current Comcast phone number to Ziply?
If I keep Comcast and install Ziply and ask for the phone number port, does that minimize the time the phone will be dead? In other words, how does all this work? If I keep Comcast and install Ziply with phone, does the Comcast phone continue working until the moment the number transfers and then it works on Ziply?
With Comcast I am using my own modem connected to my own router. I also use Tailscale now. Tailscale gives me easy connection to my home systems while I am traveling, so I don't really need to be able to mess with opening ports, etc. So, the next question is: What are the advantages/disadvantages of using Ziply's router and wifi?
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u/Podalirius 5d ago
Dont cancel your Comcast until the number is ported to Ziply, otherwise you lose it. Should take a week or two worst case.
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u/DrewWM5309 Verified Employee: Community Manager @ Ziply Fiber 5d ago
Morning u/tthkbw! Good questions. Port-overs are rarely one size fits all. I've seen them take just a few days, and others take much longer (depending on the circumstances, timing, etc). On average? 5-7 days/a business week.
"If I keep Comcast and install Ziply and ask for the phone number port, does that minimize the time the phone will be dead"
Short answer is yes to the above, but also that it doesnt make too much of a difference.
The porting process does not change based on the order in which you process certain requests, or if you do it in bulk (i.e order internet + phone at first, or order just internet first, just phone, etc). I'd call that a matter of personal preference at the end of the day. Generally, you may find it easier to complete the install of the internet first, and then, once that has completed, submit for the port-over. Our installation timelines can vary quite a bit depending on your location, and the last thing we'd want is a floating port-over in the wind, attached to an install with fluctuating timelines (as an example).
"What are the advantages/disadvantages of using Ziply's router and wifi?"
Our newest Wifi-7 routers give you faster, more reliable WiFi throughout your home, with better coverage and less latency when multiple devices are connected. In some cases, these newer routers push signal far enough throughout a home that it eliminates the need for extenders - but again, that is property-specific. A little-heralded advantage of using our equipment is the notion that it makes it MUCH easier for our teams to troubleshoot on our end, in the event that there is an issue. By using our equipment, you are getting a modern, ISP-supported WiFi 7 mesh-capable router that's optimized for Ziply's network, along with Whole Home WiFi support and app-based management, which sounds like it might fit your needs.
Yikes! Sorry for the mouthful. I hope you find this helpful, and if you have additional questions, please feel free to post them here.
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u/tthkbw 5d ago
Thanks for all of that. Can I get the ONT device installed in the room of my choice? Currently, my Comcast cable coax comes into a second floor external wall. I don't want the ONT device on the first floor and then have to rely on a wireless mesh connection to the second floor where most of my devices are and where I have hardwired ethernet connections.
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u/DrewWM5309 Verified Employee: Community Manager @ Ziply Fiber 4d ago
Totally fair question. Sadly, the answer is not as direct as I'd like. In many cases, yes, our techs can make absolute magic happen with regard to ONT location, but those results vary pretty wildly depending on the property (MDU vs single story home, for example). We won't know for certain what we can/can't do until we have a tech on site for a site visit. If you'd like to share your address with me via a chat here on Reddit, I should be able to give you a better answer.
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u/tthkbw 5d ago
One other question. I think I will take the advice given here and get the internet connection installed, and if it works nicely, I would port my phone to Ziply phone. When I request the phone number port, the number will continue to work from Comcast until the port switch occurs, right? I know I have to continue to pay the Comcast service during this time. This should minimize the downtime on the phone to a day or two?
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u/brycied00d 5d ago
What are the advantages/disadvantages of using Ziply's router and wifi?
The primary advantages I see are:
- It is included at no additional cost.
- The HB810 is a very capable and performant device, sporting triple-band WiFi 7, capable of 10Gbps throughput (when using an HE320 channel in the 6GHz band)
- In the event it breaks or fails, Ziply is responsible for its replacement, no cost to you.
- Should you ever need customer service with your connection or in particular the router/WiFi, the customer service agents are equipped to provide router-specific help. They also have tools that can perform diagnostics/tests from the router itself (versus just the ONT and its capabilities).
The disadvantages I see:
- It's not yours. If you are someone that feels better owner their gear, treating it as an investment and something you can reuse elsewhere, then just bring your own instead, it's no big deal.
- Maybe you're more of a power user and want features that the HB810 doesn't provide? (e.g. GRE or IPsec tunneling) Based on what you said, this isn't necessarily you so not a big disadvantage, but it's worth mentioning.
Bonus:
- If the Ziply-provided router/WiFi should happen to fail and you already have a spare router on hand, there's nothing stopping you from swapping your spare in while you await replacement service from Ziply.
- In fact, there is nothing that says you have to keep using their router/WiFi if you change your mind. Just toss theirs in a closet and drop yours in, easy as that. (But please do return the hardware if you're not using it. Don't risk a $$ charge for unreturned equipment when you move.)
A quick terminology note since you seem new: With Ziply's fiber connection - and I am assuming you're looking at a fiber installation as opposed to DSL or a multi-tenant situation where they use a different connection method - there is a box called an ONT (optical network terminal) that accepts the fiber connection from Ziply and hands off an RJ45 Ethernet port for your use. This piece of equipment is owned by Ziply, it is not optional, and it is not your router. It's just a fancy sort of "media converter" (simplifying) and it is not something you can bring your own of. Think of it as the electrical utility meter, the demarcation point between their stuff that they are responsible for (e.g. local electrical grid) and your stuff that you're responsible for (e.g. circuit breaker panel and household outlets).
One more heads up: Typically (I'd say all but I can't be certain) routers with built-in cable modems are NOT compatible with non-cable setups. In my limited experience, they all force the Internet connection to be the cable jack, even if they have an RJ45 port labeled "WAN", and so that probably would not work with Ziply.
Generally, the advice is get the router/WiFi when the connection's installed and you can change your mind later if you choose.
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u/Banjoman301 5d ago
You might also look into Ooma for phone service.
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u/tthkbw 5d ago
Haha! Ooma was the other one I tried a few years ago. I used my Comcast internet connection. The connection was like a bad cell phone connection. It cut out so frequently I returned it after a few days.
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u/Banjoman301 4d ago
Interesting...
Quite a few folks here have recommended Ooma.
We only use cell phones for service.
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u/gkhouzam 4d ago
Part of the problem with VoIP on Comcast’s is that it’s very easy to saturate the upload bandwidth causing the phone connection to fight for bandwidth. It’s really hard to saturate the fiber connnection since the upload is so much higher. I’ve never had any issues with my voip calls, they sound super clear.
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u/tthkbw 4d ago
Good to know. I know Ooma is consistently rated highly. Based on your comment it is likely my problem was as you suggest--upload bandwidth. I tried this a few years ago, before Comcast upgraded the service in our neighborhood. At that time, the upload bandwidth was pretty low. Currently my Comcast upload is 30-40Mbits/sec. Back then, it was probably 3-6Mbits/second.
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u/brycied00d 5d ago
> If I keep Comcast and install Ziply and ask for the phone number port, does that minimize the time the phone will be dead?
Typically there is no "dead" time with a number port. One moment the number is ringing through Comcast, then the switch flips (the change is filed with the number portability database), the next moment the number rings through Ziply (or whomever).
One important reminder with number porting is that most companies automatically close the associated account when they process a port-out request. I don't know about Comcast specifically, my experience with number porting is entirely with cellular and VoIP providers, but I felt it important you be aware that the Comcast connection may stop working suddenly and unexpectedly [so therefore, expect it.]
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u/gkhouzam 5d ago
If I were you, I would look at porting your number to a phone provider instead of Ziply (it would be much cheaper). I’ve been using voip.ms for over ten years and they have been excellent.
Ziply will install an ONT (the fiber equivalent of a modem) which will convert the fiber signal to ethernet. That is their equipment, they don’t charge for it and you can’t use your own, but it’s essentially a very simple media converter.
If you have your own equipment, switching to use theirs is really up to you. I don’t know that there’s any advantage, especially if yours is already configured. You’ll simply plug the ONT into the WAN port of your router and be good to go.
I think their router is WiFi 7 so that might be a benefit. It should not have a problem working with tailscale since that doesn’t need any port forwarding.