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Moving? Here’s how to transfer internet service, hassle free
Moving is always a blend of stress and new-house excitement. Planning out the new home layout can be fun, but everything that comes first — packing and labeling everything to make sure nothing gets lost — can make for a chaotic few weeks.
One thing you don’t want to save for the eleventh hour is your internet service. Let’s be honest: S day without a stable internet connection can feel like an eternity, so don’t risk gaps in your service by putting it off. Transferring your connection to your new home can be both painless and lightning quick if you tackle the process in the right way (and at the right time).
Setting up an internet contract after moving doesn’t need to be another big stressor, even if you prefer your current provider. Let’s get into it.
You may be lucky enough that a simple transfer could be all you need. No new contracts, no waiting for installations, and definitely no days without email. Otherwise, you’ll want to make sure you do as much preparation as possible to make sure you’re good to go when moving day rolls around.
So, as you transition from one chapter of your life to the next, this is how you can ensure your internet is up and running properly, all ready and waiting for you at your new address. Because, sure, change is good, but sometimes constants like a fast and reliable internet connection make it so much better.
1. Contact your internet service provider
When you’re planning a move, you should contact your internet service provider, or ISP, well in advance. Notifying the company about your relocation is important so you don’t have any gaps in your internet service. It can help you avoid unexpected charges, too.
You’ll get the opportunity to have a representative check if your new address falls within your provider’s service area. If it does, the company can advise you on the best way to transfer your service. This might involve setting up an appointment for a technician to come out and set up service at your new residence or even being wired for service where none exists.
If your new address isn’t in your current ISP’s coverage area, you’ll be able to have plenty of time to talk about contract termination processes (if they apply) and any fees you might have to pay. You won’t have to rush to find last-minute deals on a new provider, either. Don’t be afraid to pick up the phone and ask all the questions you need. It’s a new commitment, after all.
If your internet service provider is listed below, you can get help transferring service by calling or going directly to their websites for detailed instructions (links provided):
2. Set up a transfer date
Setting up a transfer date with your ISP is an important step when you want to make sure you can move to your new home without interrupting your internet service. This date will act as a bridge between discontinuing service at your old address and starting it at your new one.
By setting a date, you give your ISP a timeline to arrange a technician, equipment (if applicable), and any discounts or promotions that might be available. It also ensures that you won’t get a bill for two services at two houses at the same time or end up paying for days when you aren’t using your services.
It’s just good practice to set a concrete transfer date, too. That way you can be sure that when you start unpacking and getting ready to live in your new house, your internet is already good to go. This can be super helpful if you use it for remote work, online school, or even just coordinating other parts of your big move. You’ve got to use the internet for nearly everything these days. Make sure it’s up and running as soon as possible.
3. Make sure your equipment is functioning properly
Before it’s time to leave, if you’ll be using the same internet equipment, make sure it’s working. Check your modems, routers, and any connected devices. Do any updates you need to finish up and make sure everything works the way it should. Having everything charged and in tip-top shape means that once you’re at your new location, no problems should come from your equipment.
Moreover, if there’s any wear and tear or performance issues with your equipment, addressing them before your move gives you time to either repair or replace the necessary components. Remember, sometimes, merely relocating can exacerbate an existing minor issue with a device.
4. Have your new internet service activated at your new address
Having your new internet service installed and activated before you fully settle into your new home is a great way to be proactive. It can save you a ton of hassle to activate your internet first, so make sure everything is set up and working ahead of time instead of at the last minute.
Starting the installation process in advance has several benefits. Mainly, it reduces your internet downtime. You’ll have instant access to the internet as you move in, and you won’t have to rely on your phone or free WiFi to pay bills, watch streaming content, or find the answers to questions about anything.
In addition, while the technician is there, you can discuss the placement for your equipment, making sure that you get the best signal coverage possible. This can be helpful in larger homes or those with thick walls or specialized designs where normal routers may not cut it.
5. Disconnect your old service a few days before moving out
Turning off your old internet service a few days before moving out may not make sense. You’re still living there! While that may be, the final days before a move are usually pretty busy. You’re packing, organizing, and addressing last-minute details. The likelihood of you needing to use the internet as often is pretty low. If nothing else, you could use your mobile internet or handle whatever is needed at a friend or family member’s home.
By disconnecting in advance, you get to save a little cash. Scheduling a disconnect when you have a new install already completed will keep you from having to pay extra fees. You may pay less on your bill for companies that prorate your service. You also get to pack up all your equipment nicely to make sure that none of it is damaged in the move.
Plus, giving your ISP advanced notice about the disconnection helps to make a smoother transition. Sometimes, disconnecting service might mean you have to return any rented equipment or pay any outstanding bills. You can take care of all of these things before you turn out the lights in your old home for the last time and be worry-free with your new service.
6. Test your service at your new address and run a speed test
Running a speed test is important to make sure you’re getting what you’re paying for. Sure, your technician may have done it, but real-world performance can sometimes differ from expectations.
Once your internet service is set up in your new home, connect all your wired and wireless devices. Whether it’s via Wi-Fi or a wired connection, get all your gadgets, like smartphones, laptops, or smart TVs, connected. If there’s no problem, that’s great — you’re on the right path.
After confirming the connection, running a speed test is the next step. There are a variety of reliable speed tests online, and they’ll measure your internet’s performance for free. Each tool will report back with the download and upload speeds your connection is getting. The results align with the package you’re paying for. Did you sign up for a 100 Mbps plan? Your speed test should (but not always) be close to that range.
Numbers will vary, of course, but if your speed test results are significantly lower than what you should be getting, you could have issues like weak WiFi signals in certain areas of the house or potential problems with your line or equipment. You may need to contact your ISP again to help.
Otherwise, if everything works correctly, and you’re connected without issue, that’s all you need to do. Congratulations! You just successfully transferred your internet service. Wasn’t that easy?
Do I have to change internet providers if I move?
If your new address isn’t in your current Internet Service Provider’s (ISP) coverage area, it means that they won’t be able to provide you with internet service at your new location. If that happens, you’ll need to terminate your contract with your current ISP. Be sure you check out the terms of your contract (if you have one) to see if there are any fees or penalties associated with ending your service early.
Once you’re free of your former provider’s contract, you’ll need to research new internet services that operate in your new area. As you explore your options, be sure you check out all the available plans, speeds, prices, and customer reviews to pick the new provider that works best for you. Then, you can just schedule an installation date to get internet service at your new residence. If this is the process you have to go with, be sure you get started a few weeks early so you can be ready for your move-in date. Internet install appointments can often take some time to establish and complete.
How do you choose a new internet service provider?
Choosing a new ISP can be a bit difficult, but sometimes it’s necessary.
Once you’ve found who’s available in the area, consider factors such as speeds, potential data caps, and how much you’ll pay each month.
Contract terms are equally important. Some ISPs may offer promotional rates that rise after an introductory period, or they might have contracts that include termination fees. Ensure you’re aware of the length of the contract and any associated conditions.
Further, the type of connection on offer, like DSL or cable, will affect the speed and reliability of your internet connection. Depending on what’s available in your new area and your online activities, you might decide that one is better than the other.
Don’t forget to check how prompt customer service is as well. It can be frustrating if technical support or customer service fails you when you need them the most. Check online reviews or ask around to see what friends and family think.
Can you use your modem and router with you at your new address?
When moving to a new house, you can take your modem and router with you. But whether they’ll actually work at the new location depends on a few things. If your new address will be using a different Internet service provider, you’ll need to make sure that your modem is compatible with their network. Some ISPs may require you to use specific modem models, while others are more flexible. It’s the same for your router, but routers usually have broader compatibility.
If you’re moving to a location where a higher internet speed is available, you should check if your current modem and router can handle those speeds. If not, it might be time to upgrade. It’s always a good idea to reach out to the ISP that services your new address ahead of time. They can answer all your questions about your equipment and what you need to do with it when you move.
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What started out as a college romance ended in murder and mystery.
1994 – Scott Peterson and Laci Rocha met in 1994 while both were attending college at California Polytechnic State University. They married two years later. In 2002, Laci became pregnant. The two lived in Modesto, California and planned to raise their unborn son Conner there.
Laci Peterson Missing
December 24, 2002 – Scott Peterson says that on Christmas Eve morning, he left his pregnant wife alone to go fishing about 90 miles away at the Berkeley Marina. He says that Laci planned to walk the couple’s dog, McKenzie, and mop the kitchen floor. When Scott returned home hours later, he says he found McKenzie there alone, still wearing a leash – but no sign of Laci. That evening, Laci’s stepfather called the police to report her missing.
Searching for Laci
Family, friends, and volunteers launched a huge search for Laci Peterson.
Scott Peterson was interviewed by police in the early hours of Christmas Day. Now-retired Modesto Police Detective Jon Buehler says Scott didn’t seem as interested as one would expect. “Oftentimes, a victim who’s left behind is firing tons of questions at us … And we didn’t get any of that from him,” Buehler told “48 Hours.”
Amber Frey
December 30, 2002 – Less than a week after Laci Peterson went missing, Modesto detectives raced over to investigate an intriguing lead: a Fresno massage therapist named Amber Frey revealed that she had been dating Scott Peterson for over a month. She told police that Peterson had lied to her and said he was single.
Secret Recordings
Former Detective Buehler notes, “Her recall was fantastic. It was almost like it was a script from a Hallmark TV show or something.” Amber Frey recalled every detail of their romantic dates, down to what they were wearing. Hoping for clues that might lead them to the missing woman, detectives ask Frey to record phone calls between her and Scott Peterson, and she agrees.
Affair Revealed
January 24, 2003 – In an explosive press conference one month after Laci Peterson goes missing, Amber Frey publicly reveals her affair with Scott Peterson. “I am very sorry for Laci’s family and the pain that this has caused them,” she said. “And I pray for her safe return, as well.”
Prior to Frey going public, Peterson had told her in a recorded call that he was in Paris when he was really in Modesto while the search for Laci was still on. Eventually Scott admitted to her, “I’ve lied to you that I’ve been traveling.” Those recorded calls would later become part of a damning case against Peterson.
Bodies Found
April 13 and 14, 2003 – Two bodies are found on the shores of the San Francisco Bay. They are later identified as Laci Peterson and her unborn child. The two bodies were found about a mile apart.
Scott Peterson Arrested
April 18, 2003 – Authorities caught up with Scott Peterson at a golf course in San Diego and arrested him. Authorities found a wad of cash, his brother’s ID card, and multiple cell phones inside the vehicle. Days later, Peterson pleaded not guilty to two counts of capital murder.
Trial and Error
June 1, 2004 – Scott Peterson’s trial begins in San Mateo County, California. Because of massive publicity the trial was moved from Modesto to Redwood City, in San Mateo County. The decision was made because the judge decided it would be difficult for Peterson to get a fair trial too close to home, where emotions were running high.
High Suspicions
August 10, 2004 – In what many consider a major turning point of the trial, Amber Frey took the stand for the first time to tell the jury about her relationship with Scott Peterson, a secretly married man, and about all the lies he told her. Frey painted a picture of a dishonest man who could tell falsehoods with ease, hurting his credibility.
Jurors heard the lies for themselves in those recorded phone calls Frey made.
Justice for Laci and Conner
November 12, 2004 – Scott Peterson was found guilty of first-degree murder for the death of his wife Laci and second-degree murder for the death of his unborn son Conner. Crowds outside cheer.
Peterson Jurors
March 16, 2005 – Four months after his conviction, Scott Peterson is sentenced to death. At a press conference, Juror No. 7, Richelle Nice, [pictured center] called Peterson a “jerk” and commented “San Quentin is your new home,” referring to the prison where he would serve his sentence. Nice was nicknamed “Strawberry Shortcake” during the trial because of her hair color.
Death Sentence Overturned
August 24, 2020 – After two appeals, Scott Peterson’s death sentence was overturned by the California Supreme Court after deciding that the original trial judge made a mistake when jurors were being picked for trial. The result of that mistake, Peterson’s supporters say, was that the jury was stacked with pro death penalty jurors. Peterson, shown here in 2018, will now receive a new trial for only the sentence phase.
The court upheld his murder convictions.
Juror No. 7
October 14, 2020 – The California Supreme Court orders a lower court to reexamine Peterson’s murder convictions and decide if he should get an entire new trial. Scott Peterson’s supporters say it all comes down to the actions of that juror once nicknamed “Strawberry Shortcake” – Richelle Nice, pictured here in 2005.
During jury selection, prospective jurors filled out a questionnaire asking if they had in the past been in a lawsuit and if they had been crime victims. Nice checked no. “It’s pretty clear… that she lied to us straight to our face about her own situation,” Peterson’s current attorney Pat Harris told “48 Hours.” In fact, Nice was involved in two domestic disputes in the past. But prosecutors say when Nice filled out that questionnaire she didn’t lie, she just didn’t think her past experiences were relevant to the questions and didn’t see herself as a victim. Now a lower court will consider if Peterson will get a complete retrial. Richelle Nice declined to speak with “48 Hours.”
New Evidence?
March 7, 2021 – CBS News’ Jonathan Vigliotti interviewed Scott Peterson’s sister-in-law Janey Peterson in her “war room” of evidence she claims proves his innocence. She claims witnesses saw Laci walking in the neighborhood near the Peterson home after the time Scott said he left for the fishing trip. If that’s true, Scott couldn’t have killed Laci.
Scott Peterson’s attorney explains, “there’s been a lot of criticism because we didn’t call some witnesses who saw Laci that day,” and that the thought process at the time was that “a number of the witnesses who saw her didn’t have great – memories or had contra – were contradicting each other.”
Retired detective Jon Buehler says there are no witnesses who saw Laci alive that morning. He says there were other young women in the neighborhood who were pregnant and looked similar to Laci, and that “it would be real easy for somebody to mistakenly see one of those three girls as being Laci.” Still, Janey Peterson insists that Scott is innocent.
A Burglary
Perhaps more important to a new defense case is what Janey Peterson believes actually happened to Laci. She points to a burglary she believes happened on the same day Laci disappeared, right across the street from the Peterson home. Scott Peterson’s supporters theorize that Laci confronted the burglars and that ended badly. But police quickly arrested the burglars – Steven Todd and Donald Pearce – pictured here in a 2003 Modesto Police Department press release.
Awaiting a Decision
April 27, 2021 – Scott Peterson appeared in court remotely for a status hearing on a new death penalty trial.
Dec. 8, 2021: Scott Peterson was resentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the deaths of his wife and unborn child.
2024: The Los Angeles Innocence Project took up Peterson’s fight for a new trial. Since then, a California judge has granted his defense team access to previously undisclosed evidence as well as permission to do additional DNA testing.
Peterson and his supporters maintain the wrong man is in prison for Laci and Conner’s deaths. According to Detective Buehler, “Well, I guess it’s possible. But you know, there’s still people that believe the Earth is flat too.”
