How to set up internet in a new home
Order internet about two weeks before you move. That leaves time for an installer visit if one is needed, and you will have a connection on your first night.
- Check which providers reach the new address before anything else.
- Book the install two weeks ahead, more at the start or end of a month.
- Put the router in a central, open spot, not in a cupboard.
1. Find out what reaches the new address
Internet is sold address by address. Your current provider may not serve the new place, and the new street may have options you did not have before. Call with the full address, or look it up on the FCC National Broadband Map. If you rent, ask the landlord whether the building has a deal with one provider.
2. Decide: transfer or start fresh
If your current provider serves the new address, a transfer is simple and keeps your plan. A move is also the best moment to switch, because new-customer prices are usually lower. Check whether your current plan has a contract with an early cancellation fee. Many providers waive it when you move to a place they do not serve.
3. Book installation
There are two kinds. With self-install, the provider mails a kit and you plug it in. With a technician install, someone comes in a two to four hour window. A home that has never had that provider's service usually needs a technician. Someone 18 or older must be home.
4. Place the router well
Wi-Fi spreads out like light from a bulb. Put the router near the middle of the home, up on a shelf, in the open. Avoid closets, the floor, and spots next to a microwave or a fish tank. In a large or multi-storey home, plan for a mesh system.
5. Close out the old service
Cancel the old plan for the day after you move, return the equipment, and keep the receipt. Unreturned modems are one of the most common surprise charges.
Moving day list
- Account number and the new address, written down.
- Install date and time window.
- Old equipment boxed with its power cords.
- A phone hotspot as backup for the first day.
Common questions
How long does it take to get internet installed?
Self-install kits arrive in a few days. Technician visits are usually available within one to two weeks.
Can I set up internet before I move in?
Yes. You can place the order early and schedule the install for move-in day or just after.
Do I need to be home for installation?
For a technician install, an adult must be there. Self-install needs no appointment.