As an expert in cloud data security, I‘ve helped many clients safely switch internet providers over the years. The process involves more than just signing up for a new service. With some planning and the right information, you can make the transition seamlessly. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need as a trusted advisor. I‘ll provide tips to save you money, avoid downtime, and protect your home network based on my decade of experience.
Contents
Why You May Want to Switch Internet Providers
The first step is evaluating if a new provider is right for you. Here are the most common reasons I see people make a change:
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Moving to a New Home – Relocating often means you need to find an ISP available in your new neighborhood. Even if it‘s the same company, you‘ll likely have to set up new service rather than transfer your existing plan.
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Slow Speeds – Buffering wheels make it hard to stream movies or video chat without frustration. In an October 2022 survey by PCMag, 73% of readers switched providers due to unreliability and 66% cited slow speeds as the reason. If your current ISP can‘t resolve speed issues, switching may be your best option to improve connectivity.
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Excessive Data Caps – Most major broadband providers now impose data caps, typically 1 TB per month. Going over will trigger extra charges or throttled speeds. According to 2021 data from BroadbandNow, the average household uses 500 GB of data per month. If you exceed your data cap regularly, look for an unlimited plan.
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Price Increases – According to CordCutting.com, the average cost of internet service has risen 29% since 2016 with users now paying $68 per month on average. Comparing plans from alternative providers in your area can reveal opportunities to cut your monthly bill.
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Poor Customer Service – Dealing with long hold times, unresolved issues, and unhelpful support can quickly have you looking for a provider known for excellent service. In a 2022 ACSI survey, internet service scored 65 out of 100 for customer satisfaction, the lowest of all industries.
If any of these issues have you ready to break up with your current ISP, the benefits of switching may outweigh the effort.
Step 1: Research New Internet Providers in Your Area
The first step is finding out what options you have available. The major broadband providers (Comcast Xfinity, Spectrum, Optimum, Cox, Verizon Fios, AT&T Internet) have wide coverage across the U.S. Smaller regional and local ISPs are also worth exploring.
Here are a few ways to research providers:
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Use Online Lookup Tools – Enter your zip code in tools like Allconnect or BroadbandNow to instantly see available ISPs in your area.
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Ask Neighbors – Speaking to neighbors and asking who they use and what speeds they get can provide on-the-ground insights.
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Compare Plans and Prices – Once you see available providers, visit their sites to compare plans based on speeds, price, data caps, and features.
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Read User Reviews – Check ratings on sites like BroadbandNow and ConsumerAffairs to see real customer satisfaction feedback.
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Call Companies Directly – Speaking to sales agents allows you to ask specific questions about installation, equipment, contracts, and support.
Here is an overview of what to look for when comparing plans:
Internet Speed
The minimum download and upload speeds you need depends on how many people are online and what activities you do, like streaming, gaming, video calls, or running a business.
According to August 2022 data from Ookla Speedtest, the average fixed broadband download speed in the U.S. is 183 Mbps and average upload speed is 33 Mbps.
Aim for speeds at least 25% faster than what you currently have if speed is the reason you‘re switching.
Reliability
Look at ratings related to uptime, latency fluctuations, and outage frequency. Consistency is key – speeds at 3 AM shouldn‘t be drastically different than at 8 PM. Choose a provider on a reliable network.
According to Microsoft data, the average internet outage lasted 3 hours 5 minutes in 2022.
Data Caps
If you exceed your monthly data allotment, you may encounter throttled speeds or overage fees from $10-50 per 50 GB. Cordcutting.com reports the average overage charge is $30.
Unlimited data removes this worry if you use 1 TB+ per month. But unlimited plans do cost more on average:
Price
You‘ll want to look at not just the monthly bill but also setup costs like activation fees ($10-$100) and equipment charges ($5-$15/month to rent a modem plus router). Taxes and other fees can add 10-20% extra too.
Promotional pricing and bundles that package internet with TV and phone can provide savings, at least for the first year.
The table below shows price ranges for popular ISPs:
If availability in your area is limited, choosing the provider with the lowest total monthly costs may make your decision simple.
Contracts
You’ll likely need to sign a service agreement. Longer 2-3 year contracts may offer lower regular pricing or bigger discounts. Shorter 1-year agreements provide more flexibility to switch again sooner.
Make sure to understand early termination fees (ETFs), which average $200 for breaking a contract early according to ConsumerReports.
Once you compare options using this criteria, choosing a new provider gets much easier. Don’t forget to see if your current company can match competitor offers before cancelling.
Step 2: Cancel Your Current Internet Service
Giving proper notice before your new service starts prevents paying for any overlap. Here are the logistics to handle for a smooth termination:
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Check Contract End Date – Review your agreement to see when your term ends. Most contracts require 30 days advance notice to cancel or change plans without an ETF penalty.
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Confirm Early Termination Fees – If leaving prior to your contract expiring, expect to pay an early termination fee. Fees often start higher (around $350) and decrease over the contract length.
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Set Cancellation Date – Once your new service installation is booked, call existing company about one week before install date to cancel service on that same day.
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Return Equipment – You’ll likely need to return cable modems, routers, or other rental gear. Ask for a prepaid return shipping label from your provider.
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Get Final Bill – Review your final bill closely to ensure no erroneous charges. It should cover service up until cancellation date plus any ETF fees if you cancelled before contract term ended.
Returning equipment promptly and noting final bill due dates prevents avoidable headaches during this transition between providers.
If you want to avoid cancellation fees, you could try negotiating a better deal, suspending service during travel, transferring service to a new address, or even waiting out the rest of your contract term if it ends soon.
But in most cases, cancellation is required to switch providers. Once that’s handled, you can proceed with your new provider installation.
Step 3: Install and Set Up New Internet Service
The installation process only takes a few hours. But having your new home network setup fully ready ahead of time ensures the transition is truly seamless.
Installation Day Tips:
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Confirm Date and Time – Verify your installation window the day before. Clear your schedule so you or another adult are home for the full window.
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Clean Access Areas – Ensure the technician can easily access where the service line enters your home and wherever the modem will setup. Move any obstructions.
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Have New Router – Except for fiber installations, you likely need to purchase your own router unless renting. Ensure model is approved by new ISP.
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Backup Settings – Take photos of your current router admin pages showing port forwarding rules, connected devices, WiFi name and passwords, etc. to transfer settings later.
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Make Payment – Have your first bill payment or deposit ready if required to activate internet service. Ask about autopay options to avoid late fees.
The technician will handle cable connections and activating your equipment/service. Just ensure you have all the details needed when they arrive.
Post-Installation Configuration:
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Test Speeds – Use a speedtest site to confirm your speeds wirelessly and wired align with what you‘re paying for. Contact ISP support if results are lower than expected.
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Secure Network – Change the default admin password on the new router. Set up router firewall rules and enable WPA3 WiFi encryption for maximum security.
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Setup WiFi – Create a strong WiFi password you can easily find later and customize your network name.
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Update Connected Devices – Login to phones, computers, printers, smart speakers, and other WiFi devices to connect them to the new network.
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Adjust Port Forwarding – Forward the same ports as on old router if needed for remote access, gaming, cameras, or other devices.
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Back Up Data – Once fully online, do a new backup of all computer and device data in case any issues arise during this transition.
Following this checklist gets your network humming along just like before. Minimizing downtime ensures productivity and internet access is unaffected by the switch.
Tips for Seamless Internet Provider Switching
Follow these tips from my decade of experience guiding clients through ISP switches to make the transition smooth as possible:
Align Timing Carefully
- Schedule install with new provider 1-2 days before you cancel old service to avoid any gap without internet if installation hits snags.
Temporarily Use Mobile Hotspots
- Have phones and cellular iPads ready as hotspots in case install runs long. Using mobile data prevents disruptions.
Take Photos and Notes
- Document old router settings, network names, devices, connections etc. in case needed for reference later.
Leverage Promotions
- Ask new provider about any discounts, price guarantees, or signup deals to maximize savings.
Consider Buying Modem
- Purchasing your own modem prevents rental fees. Just confirm model is approved by new ISP before buying.
Keep Old Account Active Short Term
- Consider overlapping new and old service by a few days as a safety net and stop autopay on old account.
With the right preparation and diligence, you can make switching internet service a frustration-free process. Paying attention to contract terms, installation timing, hardware, and network settings will ensure your internet transition is smooth as can be.
How to Switch Internet Providers FAQ
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about what‘s involved when changing internet providers:
How long does it take to switch internet providers?
The full process takes 1-3 weeks in most cases from research to install. It depends on scheduling installation, returning equipment, and if any permitting/construction is required. Have someone home for the 4-hour install window day to answer technician questions.
What are all the steps required to change providers?
Major steps are:
- Research new ISP options and pick one
- Notify current company to cancel service
- Select installation date with new provider
- Return old equipment
- Setup new modem and router when installed
- Configure network settings and reconnect devices
How much downtime occurs when switching providers?
If you properly align timing of installing the new service 1-2 days before you cancel the old, downtime should be minimal, if any. Use your smartphone as a mobile hotspot if needed during the transition.
Will switching ISP affect my email accounts?
Switching providers won‘t impact web-based email services like Gmail. But you may need to update SMTP settings for business email accounts tied to your domain after changing ISPs.
Can switching improve internet speeds?
It depends on your current speeds and new provider capabilities. Research plans advertising speeds suiting your household needs. Run speed tests after installing to confirm your new rates.
What fees are involved when cancelling and switching providers?
Cancelling will lead to early termination fees if under contract, averaging $200-400. New provider may charge activation, equipment rental, install fees too. First month often higher with these added costs.
The Bottom Line
The effort to switch internet providers pays dividends through faster speeds, unlimited data, improved reliability, and cost savings. Using this guide will simplify researching your options, seamlessly handling cancellations and installation, and configuring your new home network.
With diligent planning and attention to timing, you can change providers with zero downtime or headaches. Follow the tips and instructions outlined here from my decade as a cloud data security expert, and you‘ll have new, better internet service set up in your home quickly and painlessly.
