Moving is complicated, and comparing internet plans can be, too. Combine the two, and it can be even more complex.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
But if you want internet and don\u2019t want to rely solely on your phone\u2019s data plan in your new home, it\u2019s a necessity. Whether you\u2019re a professional work-from-home couple spending all day on Zoom calls while raising three YouTube- and Spotify-happy teenagers or a thrifty single who spends little to no time streaming or scrolling in favor of reading books and raising chickens, you probably need home internet \u2014 at least for the chicken cam.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
How to find ISPs<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n\nYou probably have a rough idea of the kind of internet plan you\u2019ll need in your new home based on what you had at your old place and how you felt about it. The first step is to see which internet service providers (ISPs) are available in your new area and what plans they offer.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\nUnfortunately, depending on where you\u2019re moving, you may not have a lot of options \u2014 and you\u2019ll need to know what they are before you go under contract. Websites like HighSpeedInternet.com<\/a>, Allconnect.com<\/a>, InMyArea.com<\/a>, and WhistleOut<\/a> let you find providers by ZIP code, though you may want to try more than one since they each offer slightly different results and they\u2019re not always up to date.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\nJust because ISPs allegedly serve your ZIP code doesn\u2019t mean all<\/em> of it \u2014 they may serve all homes in an area, some, or just one. Check with each ISP you\u2019re interested in (whether on their website or via direct contact) to make sure the company can connect to the street address of your new home \u2014 not just the neighborhood. Even in relatively built-up areas, you may find homes where the cable or fiber run stops just a couple hundred feet away<\/a> with an ISP unwilling to extend it. If you live in a big-box \u201cluxury\u201d apartment building, a condo, an HOA, or something similar,\u00a0you might be limited to only one or two ISPs. Check with your property manager or board.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\nUnderstanding your options<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n\nKeep in mind that the more people and internet-connected devices in your home, the more bandwidth you\u2019ll need, since it has to be shared. Most people should opt for fiber or cable if available, especially if you stream a lot, work from home all or some of the time, game online, regularly take video calls, or have streaming cameras. Wi-Fi devices will be further limited by their radios, and anything on a mesh network will have further slowdowns the further it is from the main node. BroadbandNow<\/a> and Consumer Reports<\/a> both offer calculators to help you estimate your bandwidth needs.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\nYour options will generally fall among the following types of internet service, in rough order of speed and preference: <\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\nFiber:<\/strong> Fiber is the best speed by far, if you can get it. In neighborhoods where fiber is available, it\u2019s not uncommon to see gigabit (1000Mbps) plans for $100 a month or less. And unlike cable internet, it\u2019s often symmetrical, with upload speeds nearly as fast as download. (Cable upload speeds are often capped at a fraction of their capabilities.) But it\u2019s not as prevalent as cable, it\u2019s more complicated to set up service, and it\u2019s not compatible with equipment like cable modems, if you already own one and were hoping to save some cash.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\nCable internet:<\/strong> Cable is widely available, low latency, and can usually be bundled with other services (including phone, cable, streaming bundles, and smart home \/ security options). In areas where cable ISPs have to compete with fiber, they tend to offer competitive gigabit-plus plans, at least for the first couple of years. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\nFixed wireless: <\/strong>Since fixed wireless uses 4G and 5G cell networks, it\u2019s good for areas that don\u2019t have fiber or cable infrastructure, and it\u2019s often much faster than satellite or DSL. But inclement weather and line-of-sight obstructions can hinder connectivity, data can be capped, and it\u2019s only as good as the cell reception. It can be up to 1Gbps or as low as 25Mbps.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\nSatellite:<\/strong> Satellite is good for off-grid and rural areas. While it\u2019s slower and more expensive than cable, fiber, or fixed wireless, it\u2019s more resilient in natural disasters since it doesn\u2019t rely on ground-based infrastructure, which can be damaged or lose power.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\nDSL: <\/strong>DSL is widely available and affordable; if you have landline service, you can probably get DSL. It\u2019s often the slowest option \u2014 50Mbps if you\u2019re lucky, and even slower as you get farther from the service provider\u2019s facilities.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\nFeatures and drawbacks to look out for<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n\nSpeed:<\/strong> This is an obvious one. The advertised number represents download speed. The second number, representing upload speed, has become more important in the age of cloud storage, always-on cloud cameras, and video content creation for social networks.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\nData caps:<\/strong> Not all plans are unlimited. And some plans may be \u201cunlimited\u201d in name only. Compare any applicable data caps with your anticipated usage, and understand the consequences of going over. (Will your service be throttled? Will you be subject to additional charges? If so, how much?)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\nEquipment pricing<\/strong>: Does the ISP let you buy your own equipment instead of using theirs (e.g., modem, routers, wireless mesh signal extenders)? If so, will they waive the monthly leasing fee on the equipment they would otherwise rent out to you? What\u2019s the cost of that when you compare the upfront capital expenditure of buying versus leasing?\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\nIt may also help to check reviews of the ISP\u2019s equipment against reviews of third-party equipment to see if it\u2019s even worthwhile to buy your own. Sometimes the ISP\u2019s equipment is functionally competitive, and nowadays it\u2019s common for companies to throw in whole-home Wi-Fi instead of a single access point.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\nContracts and introductory pricing: <\/strong>The best deal you can get is a low price with no contract. But that\u2019s not always doable. Some internet plans offer introductory pricing that expires after a certain number of months. Others require you to sign a contract for a year or two to get attractive pricing. Always ask how long pricing is guaranteed for, what the price will go up to after that period, and how long \u2014 if at all \u2014 you\u2019ll be contractually obligated to stick around to avoid a penalty. (Also, find out what that penalty is.)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\nInstallation fees:<\/strong> There\u2019s not a lot of DIY in the land of ISPs; you\u2019ll almost certainly have to have a technician come out to set you up. If installation isn\u2019t free, you can sometimes talk the sales rep into waiving part or all of the fee. Just ask. (That\u2019s how I always get my installation fees waived.)<\/p>\n<\/div>\nCheck the nutrition label \u2014 and the neighbors<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n\nThings have gotten a bit easier since the Federal Communications Commission mandated<\/a> that fixed and mobile ISPs post user-friendly broadband \u201cnutrition labels<\/a>.\u201d The labels outline many of the items discussed in this article, including pricing information, data caps, and speeds \u2014 as well as a lot of other important information, like taxes, early termination fees, privacy policy links, customer support information, etc.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\nTo better understand the packages you\u2019re considering, look for the nutrition label on an ISP\u2019s website or in any of their retail locations, i.e., at any of their points of sale. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\n\n\n\n\n1\/2<\/p>\n
Part one of a broadband label for Xfinity gigabit service. Check out that sweet \u201chide promotional pricing\u201d toggle. But wait, there\u2019s more.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n1\/2<\/p>\n
Part one of a broadband label for Xfinity gigabit service. Check out that sweet \u201chide promotional pricing\u201d toggle. But wait, there\u2019s more.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\nThe real experts on your local ISPs are current and former customers. Find online reviews on sites like HighSpeedInternet.com<\/a> or Trustpilot<\/a>. Poke around forums and social networks like Reddit to look for common complaints. If feasible, talk to people in the neighborhood directly about their own ISP and their experiences.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\nAnd my favorite trick: join the most popular community Facebook group(s) for people in the neighborhood \u2014 and just ask. (A few such groups require actual residency and will verify, but many others won\u2019t mind if you haven\u2019t moved to the area yet.) This works especially well in the suburbs and exurbs; Gen X townies often love to dish on who the best and worst companies to do business with in the area are, ISPs included.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Pick up the phone \u2014 yes, really<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n\nYes, you can often sign up for an internet plan on the internet without ever talking to a human being. But unless you have enough money to swim around in, Scrooge McDuck-style, I don\u2019t recommend it. No hate to you introverts out there, but bargains travel with empathy \u2014 and empathy happens in conversation. If you want the best deal, you\u2019re going to have to dial and talk.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\nOnce you and the sales rep have identified the package you\u2019re targeting and the pricing, your two goals are (1) to sweet-talk the rep into giving you a better deal and (2) to discover the \u201cfine print\u201d and any details you don\u2019t like. For the first, break out the charm and your best negotiation tactics (mentioning any other ISP that you\u2019re considering never hurts, for example). For the second, grill the rep on all the \u201cthings to look for\u201d points above.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\nRinse and repeat for other ISPs you\u2019re considering (making sure you get the sales rep\u2019s name, their direct line \/ extension, and a reference number each time). And don\u2019t forget your current ISP if you haven\u2019t ruled them out; if they offer service in your area, they may be willing to sweeten your deal with them in exchange for your continued business, especially if there are promotions you qualify for (which an ISP\u2019s phone rep can find more easily than you can on your own).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\nWhen all is said and done, you\u2019ll be equipped to pick the deal that works best for you. Happy internetting!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
You probably have a rough idea of the kind of internet plan you\u2019ll need in your new home based on what you had at your old place and how you felt about it. The first step is to see which internet service providers (ISPs) are available in your new area and what plans they offer.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Unfortunately, depending on where you\u2019re moving, you may not have a lot of options \u2014 and you\u2019ll need to know what they are before you go under contract. Websites like HighSpeedInternet.com<\/a>, Allconnect.com<\/a>, InMyArea.com<\/a>, and WhistleOut<\/a> let you find providers by ZIP code, though you may want to try more than one since they each offer slightly different results and they\u2019re not always up to date.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Just because ISPs allegedly serve your ZIP code doesn\u2019t mean all<\/em> of it \u2014 they may serve all homes in an area, some, or just one. Check with each ISP you\u2019re interested in (whether on their website or via direct contact) to make sure the company can connect to the street address of your new home \u2014 not just the neighborhood. Even in relatively built-up areas, you may find homes where the cable or fiber run stops just a couple hundred feet away<\/a> with an ISP unwilling to extend it. If you live in a big-box \u201cluxury\u201d apartment building, a condo, an HOA, or something similar,\u00a0you might be limited to only one or two ISPs. Check with your property manager or board.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Keep in mind that the more people and internet-connected devices in your home, the more bandwidth you\u2019ll need, since it has to be shared. Most people should opt for fiber or cable if available, especially if you stream a lot, work from home all or some of the time, game online, regularly take video calls, or have streaming cameras. Wi-Fi devices will be further limited by their radios, and anything on a mesh network will have further slowdowns the further it is from the main node. BroadbandNow<\/a> and Consumer Reports<\/a> both offer calculators to help you estimate your bandwidth needs.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Your options will generally fall among the following types of internet service, in rough order of speed and preference: <\/p>\n<\/div>\n Fiber:<\/strong> Fiber is the best speed by far, if you can get it. In neighborhoods where fiber is available, it\u2019s not uncommon to see gigabit (1000Mbps) plans for $100 a month or less. And unlike cable internet, it\u2019s often symmetrical, with upload speeds nearly as fast as download. (Cable upload speeds are often capped at a fraction of their capabilities.) But it\u2019s not as prevalent as cable, it\u2019s more complicated to set up service, and it\u2019s not compatible with equipment like cable modems, if you already own one and were hoping to save some cash.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Cable internet:<\/strong> Cable is widely available, low latency, and can usually be bundled with other services (including phone, cable, streaming bundles, and smart home \/ security options). In areas where cable ISPs have to compete with fiber, they tend to offer competitive gigabit-plus plans, at least for the first couple of years. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n Fixed wireless: <\/strong>Since fixed wireless uses 4G and 5G cell networks, it\u2019s good for areas that don\u2019t have fiber or cable infrastructure, and it\u2019s often much faster than satellite or DSL. But inclement weather and line-of-sight obstructions can hinder connectivity, data can be capped, and it\u2019s only as good as the cell reception. It can be up to 1Gbps or as low as 25Mbps.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Satellite:<\/strong> Satellite is good for off-grid and rural areas. While it\u2019s slower and more expensive than cable, fiber, or fixed wireless, it\u2019s more resilient in natural disasters since it doesn\u2019t rely on ground-based infrastructure, which can be damaged or lose power.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n DSL: <\/strong>DSL is widely available and affordable; if you have landline service, you can probably get DSL. It\u2019s often the slowest option \u2014 50Mbps if you\u2019re lucky, and even slower as you get farther from the service provider\u2019s facilities.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Speed:<\/strong> This is an obvious one. The advertised number represents download speed. The second number, representing upload speed, has become more important in the age of cloud storage, always-on cloud cameras, and video content creation for social networks.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Data caps:<\/strong> Not all plans are unlimited. And some plans may be \u201cunlimited\u201d in name only. Compare any applicable data caps with your anticipated usage, and understand the consequences of going over. (Will your service be throttled? Will you be subject to additional charges? If so, how much?)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Equipment pricing<\/strong>: Does the ISP let you buy your own equipment instead of using theirs (e.g., modem, routers, wireless mesh signal extenders)? If so, will they waive the monthly leasing fee on the equipment they would otherwise rent out to you? What\u2019s the cost of that when you compare the upfront capital expenditure of buying versus leasing?\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n It may also help to check reviews of the ISP\u2019s equipment against reviews of third-party equipment to see if it\u2019s even worthwhile to buy your own. Sometimes the ISP\u2019s equipment is functionally competitive, and nowadays it\u2019s common for companies to throw in whole-home Wi-Fi instead of a single access point.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Contracts and introductory pricing: <\/strong>The best deal you can get is a low price with no contract. But that\u2019s not always doable. Some internet plans offer introductory pricing that expires after a certain number of months. Others require you to sign a contract for a year or two to get attractive pricing. Always ask how long pricing is guaranteed for, what the price will go up to after that period, and how long \u2014 if at all \u2014 you\u2019ll be contractually obligated to stick around to avoid a penalty. (Also, find out what that penalty is.)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Installation fees:<\/strong> There\u2019s not a lot of DIY in the land of ISPs; you\u2019ll almost certainly have to have a technician come out to set you up. If installation isn\u2019t free, you can sometimes talk the sales rep into waiving part or all of the fee. Just ask. (That\u2019s how I always get my installation fees waived.)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Things have gotten a bit easier since the Federal Communications Commission mandated<\/a> that fixed and mobile ISPs post user-friendly broadband \u201cnutrition labels<\/a>.\u201d The labels outline many of the items discussed in this article, including pricing information, data caps, and speeds \u2014 as well as a lot of other important information, like taxes, early termination fees, privacy policy links, customer support information, etc.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n To better understand the packages you\u2019re considering, look for the nutrition label on an ISP\u2019s website or in any of their retail locations, i.e., at any of their points of sale. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n 1\/2<\/p>\n 1\/2<\/p>\n The real experts on your local ISPs are current and former customers. Find online reviews on sites like HighSpeedInternet.com<\/a> or Trustpilot<\/a>. Poke around forums and social networks like Reddit to look for common complaints. If feasible, talk to people in the neighborhood directly about their own ISP and their experiences.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n And my favorite trick: join the most popular community Facebook group(s) for people in the neighborhood \u2014 and just ask. (A few such groups require actual residency and will verify, but many others won\u2019t mind if you haven\u2019t moved to the area yet.) This works especially well in the suburbs and exurbs; Gen X townies often love to dish on who the best and worst companies to do business with in the area are, ISPs included.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Yes, you can often sign up for an internet plan on the internet without ever talking to a human being. But unless you have enough money to swim around in, Scrooge McDuck-style, I don\u2019t recommend it. No hate to you introverts out there, but bargains travel with empathy \u2014 and empathy happens in conversation. If you want the best deal, you\u2019re going to have to dial and talk.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Once you and the sales rep have identified the package you\u2019re targeting and the pricing, your two goals are (1) to sweet-talk the rep into giving you a better deal and (2) to discover the \u201cfine print\u201d and any details you don\u2019t like. For the first, break out the charm and your best negotiation tactics (mentioning any other ISP that you\u2019re considering never hurts, for example). For the second, grill the rep on all the \u201cthings to look for\u201d points above.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Rinse and repeat for other ISPs you\u2019re considering (making sure you get the sales rep\u2019s name, their direct line \/ extension, and a reference number each time). And don\u2019t forget your current ISP if you haven\u2019t ruled them out; if they offer service in your area, they may be willing to sweeten your deal with them in exchange for your continued business, especially if there are promotions you qualify for (which an ISP\u2019s phone rep can find more easily than you can on your own).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n When all is said and done, you\u2019ll be equipped to pick the deal that works best for you. Happy internetting!<\/p>\n<\/div>\nUnderstanding your options<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Features and drawbacks to look out for<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Check the nutrition label \u2014 and the neighbors<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Pick up the phone \u2014 yes, really<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n