4 steps to set up your new internet connection
1. Find an internet service provider
The most important factors in choosing your internet provider are the following:
- Availability
- Speed
- Reliability
- Price
- Customer service
Availability
Some ISPs have a wider service areas than others. Rural areas tend to have fewer choices than suburban and urban areas.
If you aren't sure what's available in your new area, our guide to finding internet for your new home can help you quickly get the best options available near you.
Speed
Nobody wants slow internet, but speed isn't everything when it comes to choosing an internet plan. Normal activity like streaming, video calling, and popular apps requires around 25Mbps.
Many times choosing the fastest plan can leave you paying way more for service than you need to.
Reliability
Fast internet isn't worth much if it isn't reliable. Connections like fiber have grown in popularity and availability but have a more expensive baseline.
Cheaper options like cable and DSL often deliver slower speeds than advertised in certain situations, and satellite internet can be disrupted by the weather.
Price
Price isn't always as straightforward as it should be. There's upfront costs like installation and equipment fees, which can be a big deal during an expensive move. But even after you've settled into your new home, hidden fees and price hikes are worth paying attention to.
The best internet plans come with simple, transparent pricing.
Customer service
When there’s a problem, you want it resolved fast. This is especially important with less reliable types of connections. If you’re considering DSL, for example, make sure that the ISP offering the plan is known for fixing problems quickly and not letting their network fall into disrepair.
Need internet in a pinch?
If you need an internet connection in a pinch, try using your cell phone as a mobile hotspot.
With much lower data caps and slower speeds for phones, it's best as a temporary solution until you choose a permanent internet service provider.
If you're looking for a new internet service provider—perhaps because you're moving—then check out our favorite ISPs.
Compare internet companies
Data as of publish date.
*Lowest rates for T-Mobile customers. All quotes based on enrollment in autopay; $5 more per month without autopay.
**Excludes Xfinity Gigabit Pro and Gigabit X3. For the first 12 months with a 1-year agreement.
***Excludes AT&T Internet 2000 and AT&T Internet 5000 plans. For 12 mos., plus taxes & equip fee. $10/mo. equip. fee applies. Incl. 1TB data/mo.; overage charges apply. Ltd avail./areas.
†For the first 12 months.
‡For the first 12 months with a 1-year agreement.
2. Install your equipment
Once you've chosen a new ISP and plan, you'll need to get your equipment up and running. Depending on your provider and your new home's setup, you may be able to install your equipment yourself.
However, some ISPs require pro installation for top-tier plans or infrastructure like buried fiber cables or utility poles. Thankfully, you won't need any tools for self-installation. This process usually just requires some basic technical skills and outlets.
If both options are available, consider these pros and cons for professional installation.
Professional installation
Pros
Lets you focus on moving in
Doesn’t require technical skill
Will handle unexpected problems
Cons
Can be expensive
Can get in the way of moving in
Must be scheduled in advance
Professional installation requires much less planning and effort on your end, especially if you're busy unpacking and settling into your new home. Depending on the type of internet and the infrastructure already in your home, the process can take a few minutes to a few hours.
The process is generally pretty smooth, but there are a few things you can do to speed it up:
- Have your computers, laptops, and smart TVs unpacked and ready to connect to your new network.
- Move boxes or furniture away from outlets.
- Move any large desks or entertainment centers 3–5 feet away from the wall.
- Secure any pets away from the technician's work areas, including the backyard or side of the house.
- Make sure that you or another adult can be present in the home throughout the installation.
It’s also a good idea to plan extra time around the installation in case the technicians encounter any problems or show up late. Internet installation is not something you want to squeeze into a particularly busy day.
Pros
Usually requires no additional fees
Works around your moving schedule
Cons
Requires basic technical skills
Forces you to resolve problems yourself
Self-installation can seem daunting, especially for those without a technical background, but it’s usually pretty straightforward. It can also save you a lot of money, which can be a big relief after dealing with moving costs.
There are a few steps to self-installation:
- Order your self-installation kit.
- Set up your modem and plug it in to your internet connection.
- Connect your power cable.
Your self-installation kit typically includes your modem and router (often one device, also known as a “wireless gateway”), a power cable, an Ethernet cable, and a cable to connect to the outlet (the type of cable depends on the type of connection you have). Make sure that your kit has all the necessary parts before starting installation.
Most ISPs give you a single device to serve as both modem and router, but if you have a separate router, connect it to your modem with an Ethernet cable.
After you plug it in, the online connection lights should turn on one by one. This usually takes less than a minute with most devices, though in some cases it can take up to twenty minutes.
Once the lights stop flashing, congratulations! Your home now has an internet connection. Now you just have to make it usable.
3. Set up your wireless network
Most devices in your home, from your laptop to your smart TV to your thermostat, connect to your home network wirelessly. Many of these devices don’t even have the connection to plug in a physical cable, so setting up a wireless network has become an essential step in getting your devices running.
Setting up your network can be divided into two parts: connecting to your router and setting up your network security.
Connecting to your router
Many modern routers have apps that allow you to control them from your phone. If your router doesn’t have an app, you can still set it up the old-fashioned way. All you need is a normal web browser and your router’s IP address. Often, it’s provided in your user manual or printed on a sticker stuck to the router itself. If not, you can always find it yourself.
Connecting your router on a Windows machine:
- Open up the Command Prompt and type in IPCONFIG.
- The address you’re looking for will be listed as the “default gateway” and will consist of four numbers separated by periods.
Connecting your router on a Mac:
- Open your network settings.
- Select the “TCP/IP” tab
- The IP address will be listed under “router.”
Once you have the IP address of your router, plug a device directly into your router using an Ethernet cable, then type that number into your browser to get to your router’s security settings.
Set up your network security
Before you log in to your router, you will need your username and password. If you brought your router with you from your old home, this will be the same username and password you set up previously.
If this is a new router, the default username and password will either be printed on the router (often on a sticker on the bottom of the box) or in the user manual.
Once you have the necessary information, setting up your network security is easy:
- Log in using your username and password.
- Change your network name (SSID).
- Set your security protocol to WPA2.
- Set your new password.
Although you can simply use the defaults, we highly recommend changing both, as it makes your home network much more secure.
Your network name, often called its SSID, is what you and other people will see when searching for Wi-Fi networks in your area. Set it to something that you will instantly recognize when it pops up in the list.
WPA2 is the strongest type of security used on Wi-Fi networks, and it’s sometimes labeled WPA2-PSK or AES. When setting your password, make sure that it’s strong and memorable. It’s also a good idea to make it a password that you don’t mind giving out to guests that might want to use your Wi-Fi, so don’t make it a password you’ve used elsewhere.
Once your wireless network is up and running, and it’s time to start connecting your devices.
To finish up, grab a phone or laptop to test your connection. Your wireless network should appear with the name you set and you should be able to log on with your new password.
If everything’s working, it’s time to connect your other devices.
Remember that all the devices that were connected to your Wi-Fi in your old home will need their network information updated to connect. This includes not only computers and laptops but also any smart devices you might own.
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