Moving Guide: How to Keep Your Internet

Moving comes with a long list of to-dos: packing boxes, forwarding your mail, setting up utilities, and learning a new neighborhood. One thing that ofter gets overlooked until the last minute is internet service. When you work from home, stream video or music, and run smart devices, being offline for a few days disrupts your life.  

The good news is that moving internet service can be simple if you plan ahead. This guide walks you through how to move your internet service step by step so you can stay connected from your old home to your new home. 

Let’s unpack this. 

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Quick Reference: Moving Internet Service Checklist 

Use this quick checklist to keep everything on track: 

• Confirm your moving date and new address
• Check if your current provider serves your new address
• Decide whether to transfer your current internet or switch providers
• Schedule your transfer or new installation 2 – 4 weeks before moving
• Compare plans and speeds at your new address
• Pack your modem, router, and cables in a clearly labeled box
• Test your internet at the new home on move-in day
• Cancel the old service and return any rented equipment

Keep this list handy while you read. The rest of the guide fills in the details.

Why Your Internet Belongs on Your Moving Checklist 

Internet service used to be a nice extra. Today, it’s closer to a core utility. Many people work from home, take online classes, stream video instead of using cable TV, and rely on smart devices for security and comfort. 

When you move, losing internet for even a few days can mean missed meetings, late assignments, or kids who cannot access their homework. It can also break things you forget about, such as smart locks, cameras, or thermostats that quietly rely on Wi-Fi. 

That’s why your plan for how to move internet service should sit near the top of your moving checklist, right next to power and water. 

When Should You Start Moving Your Internet Service? 

Plan your internet move to happen 2-4 weeks before your moving date. This provides ample time to schedule installation and allows for some flexibility in case of weather or other unexpected delays. 

If you’re moving during a busy time of year, such as summer or the end of the month, start sooner. Remote workers and students should try to have internet active on or before moving day. 

Here’s a simple timeline you can follow. 

6 to 8 weeks before you move 

• Confirm your move-in date and new address
• Start checking which internet providers serve your new home
• Make a note of which connection types are available, such as fiber, cable, or 5G home internet

2 to 3 weeks before you move 

• Decide whether you want to keep your current provider or switch
• Compare costs, speeds, fees, and any contract terms
• Schedule your transfer or new installation
• Order equipment if you need a new modem or router

1 week before you move 

• Confirm your appointment date and time window
• Make sure someone 18 or older will be home if a technician needs access
• Pack your modem, router, and cables in a clearly labeled “Internet” or “Open first” box

Move day or the day after 

• Set up your modem and router at the new home
• Activate your service using the provider’s app or instructions
• Run a quick speed test to make sure your connection is working as expected
• Call your provider if you notice slow speeds or connection issues

A little early planning here can save you a lot of frustration later. 

Step by Step: How to Move Internet Service to a New Address 

Moving requires coordination and planning. Check one item off your list by using this quick guide for finding the right internet service provider at your new address: 

Step 1: See if your provider is available at your new address 

Before you cancel your existing internet plan, check if your current provider is available at your new home address. If you subscribe to a large internet provider like AT&T or Xfinity, you may be able to transfer over service easily. 

To check for internet providers at your new address: 

• Enter your ZIP code in our internet provider search tool
• Contact your internet provider’s customer service department
• Confirm which plans and speeds are available at the new address
• Ask if your current modem and router will still work or if you will need new equipment

If your provider can serve your new address and you are happy with them, transferring service may be the simplest option. 

Step 2: Compare the cost of transferring vs switching 

Before you commit, compare the cost of staying with your current provider to switching to a new one. 

• Review your current contract for early termination fees if you cancel
• Ask about any move or activation fees at the new address
• Check whether your provider offers moving discounts or credits
• If you are thinking about switching providers, ask new providers if they help cover early termination fees when you switch to them

Put the numbers side by side: 

• Monthly price and promo period
• Regular price after the promo
• Any fees related to moving, canceling, or starting new service

Sometimes, transferring is the cheapest option. Sometimes switching to a better plan at the new address makes more sense, especially if another provider offers faster speeds or a lower long-term price. 

Step 3: Reevaluate your internet speed and data needs 

Whenever you move, we recommend reevaluating your internet needs. Ask yourself, “What’s missing now – coverage, speed, reliability?” It’s a good time to consider: 

• How many people live in your home
• How many devices will be online at the same time
• Whether anyone works from home or takes online classes
• Whether you stream in HD or 4K, play online games, or upload large files
• Whether you use smart home devices, cameras, or connected doorbells

If your new home is larger or has more floors, you may also need a stronger router or a mesh Wi-Fi system to reach every room. A plan that was barely enough in your old apartment might feel cramped in a bigger house with more devices. 

Step 4: Shop for internet plans at your new address 

If you need to switch providers, always search by address or zip code to find the best internet providers in your area. When you get the search results for your new area: 

• Compare connection types, such as fiber, cable, 5G home internet, fixed wireless, or satellite
• Check download and upload speeds for each plan
• Look at data caps, if any, and what happens if you go over
• Note contract length and whether there is a price increase after the first year

As you compare, focus on how each plan will feel day-to-day, not just on the advertised maximum speed.

Step 5: Decide whether to bundle TV, phone, or home security 

Many providers bundle internet with TV, phone, or security services. Bundles can simplify billing and sometimes cut costs, but they are not always the best deal. 

Ask yourself: 

• Will you use the other services, or is streaming your primary way to watch TV?
• Does the bundle lock you into a longer contract?
• Could you pay less by combining internet service with streaming services you choose separately?

If a bundle does not match your habits, keep your internet plan separate.

Step 6: Schedule your transfer or new installation 

Once you select the provider and plan right for you, it’s time to order service and lock in your date. 

• Schedule your transfer or new installation 2 to 4 weeks before your move
• Choose a day and time when someone can be at the new home during the service window
• Ask whether self-install is an option and whether there is a fee for a technician visit

If you can, arrange for a small overlap, so you have internet service at both homes for a brief period. That overlap can make the move smoother, especially if you need internet at the old address right up until the last day. 

Step 7: Cancel existing service and return equipment 

After your new connection is up and working, it is time to close things out at your old address. 

• Have service disconnected at the old address on move-out day or soon after
• Ask for clear instructions on how and where to return rented equipment
• Drop off or ship the equipment back by the deadline
• Save receipts and tracking numbers in case there are billing questions later
• Check your final bill to confirm you are not being charged for unreturned equipment or extra time

Taking this last step seriously can save you surprise charges weeks after you have settled in. 

How to Avoid Fees and Downtime When You Move Internet Service 

A bit of strategy can prevent both bill shock and long stretches without internet. 

To reduce fees: 

• Call your provider early and ask about any move fees or installation fees
• Ask if they offer special moving promotions
• If you plan to switch providers, ask new providers whether they offer any help with early termination fees
• Return all rented equipment on time to avoid charges

To reduce downtime: 

• Try to have your new internet activated on or before your move-in day
• Keep your old service active until your new service is confirmed to work
• Pack networking gear in an easy-to-reach box so you are not digging for it late at night
• Have a backup option, such as a mobile hotspot, public Wi-Fi, or a co-working space, in case an appointment gets delayed

This approach helps you move internet service smoothly without losing critical connectivity. 

What If Your Current Internet Provider Doesn’t Offer Service in Your New Home? 

Sometimes your current provider doesn’t offer internet at your new address. You still have options. 

Here is what to do: 

• Call your current provider to confirm there is no coverage at the new location
• Ask about early termination rules and any final charges
• Use an address-based search to see which providers serve your new home
• Look at all available technologies:
  • Cable or fiber internet, where available
  • 5G home internet or fixed wireless in some suburbs and cities
  • Satellite internet in rural or hard-to-reach areas

If you work from home or rely on real-time video calls, pay extra attention to upload speeds and reliability. In some cases, you might choose a primary home internet plan and keep a backup hotspot handy for emergencies. 

Choosing the Best Internet Setup for Your New Home 

Your new home is a fresh start. Your internet setup should match how you live now, not how you lived a few years ago. 

When you pick a plan and equipment, consider:

• Speed that fits your household size and habits
• Enough upload speed for video calls and cloud backups
• A router that supports your speed tier and device count
• Mesh Wi-Fi or extra access points for bigger homes or tricky layouts
• Smart home devices, cameras, and game consoles that depend on stable Wi-Fi

If you aren’t sure what you need, it can help to talk with an expert or use an online questionnaire that recommends speeds based on your answers. It is better to choose a plan that comfortably supports your daily life than to constantly fight buffering and lag. 

Moving Internet Service Checklist (Printable Summary) 

Here is a simple checklist you can save or print: 

• Confirm your moving date and new address
• Check if your current internet provider serves your new home
• Compare the cost of transferring vs switching providers
• Decide on the best plan and speed for your new household
• Schedule your transfer or new installation 2 to 4 weeks in advance
• Pack your modem, router, and cables in a labeled box
• Set up and activate your internet on move-in day
• Run a speed test and check Wi Fi coverage in key rooms
• Cancel old service once the new one works
• Return any rented equipment and keep proof of return

If you follow this list, you will cover the major steps without missing anything important. 

Stay Connected Through Every Box You Move 

Moving is a lot of work, but your internet connection does not have to be another headache. With a little planning, you can move internet service to your new home with minimal downtime and no major surprises. 

Start early, compare your options, and choose a plan that fits the way you live now. Then follow the steps in this guide as you pack, move, and settle in. 

Before you know it, you will be in your new place; boxes still stacked around you, streaming your favorite show and catching up on life online, all on a connection that feels just right for your new home. 

oviders will bundle internet with TV, phone, or security services. Consider taking advantage of these service bundles for a whole-home experience.