Tips and Tools for Finding the Best Internet Deal in Your New Hometown

Amid the craziness of moving, few take into consideration the potential internet availability in their new neighborhood. In some cases, that super-fast internet connection that’s supposedly available in your area, may have some surprises in store. Before you pack your first box, use these five simple tips and tools to map the best internet options in your new neighborhood:

Find Available Providers

Internet providers operate near-monopolies in specific areas—the high cost of digging up roads and laying copper, coaxial, or fiber-optic cables means it’s not worth the investment for multiple ISPs to serve the same location. This regional monopoly means that what is available in one home may not be available next door. You may love your current provider, but if they don’t offer service to your new digs, you’re out of luck. So before you get excited about a specific service, you should figure out what is available in your new neighborhood.

• Best Tool: One of the best ways to find ISPs available in your new neighborhood is to use the High Speed Internet provider search. This tool breaks down which companies offer service in your area and ranks those based on coverage, speed, pricing, customer service, and user reviews. But don’t stop there—make sure to double check with any provider that they do service the actual building you will be moving into.

Compare the Best Speeds

Once you know which providers are available, you’ll want to compare their offerings, their available speeds in particular. Since you can’t physically be in your new rental to test internet speeds yet, explore speed testing review sites to get a sense of what is available.

• Best Tool: For a side-by-side comparison of ISPs with the fastest upload and download speeds, visit Speedtest.net’s Speed Test Awards. The site provides a free analysis of internet speeds and will let you narrow in on your specific area to find the best speeds available there.

Ask the Neighbors

By now you probably have a sense of what is available and which provider you are most interested in. If you’re still unsure, ask your new landlord or neighbors which provider they use and, most importantly, if they’re happy with their service. Your neighbors will be one of the best resources for determining which service will be the most reliable in your new home.

• Best Tool: If you haven’t met your neighbors yet, try out Nextdoor. The social network for neighborhood communities has a recommendations section where neighbors can share their opinions about local services. You can easily ask your neighbors for specific recommendations there as well. The network is free to join, and you can quickly find your neighborhood and start asking questions.

freeimages.com/Ricardo Santeugini

Consider Moving Services—But Be Prepared to Negotiate

Many providers offer transfer services that make it easy to move your existing account—and equipment—to your new place. If your current provider also serves your new location, it may be easiest to simply transfer your services.

Keep in mind, though, that even if the provider is the same, the prices may not be. Not all prices and promotions apply everywhere, so do some research into what customers in the area pay your ISP. You could use that price as that starting point for a negotiation of your bill.

• Best Tool: Each ISP has its own way to transfer services for movers. If you’re more concerned about lowering your bill in your new area, try using a service like BillShark. Billshark will negotiate your bills for you and charges only one-third of your total savings—if they can’t negotiate any savings for you, you don’t owe any money.

 Map Your Neighborhood Wi-Fi Profile

If you aren’t satisfied with the internet options for your new home—or just can’t access it for some reason—you can still enjoy Wi-Fi in your neighborhood. Before you move, check to see what businesses are in your neighborhood. Coffee shops and libraries are all certain to have free Wi-Fi, but you’ll also find hotspots at many businesses. Most national fast food chains and even supermarkets offer free Wi-Fi, whether or not you make a purchase. Many unlikely locations also have free Wi-Fi, like transportation lines, public parks, and even some gas stations.

• Best Tool: The free smartphone app Wi-Fi Map has aggregated more than 5 million Wi-Fi hotspots with maps, passwords, and user comments. Use it to find the hotspots closest to your new home, so you’ll be ready to connect as soon as you arrive.

Moving is often chaotic, and most people don’t consider searching for an internet connection until they are in desperate need. Research your internet options before moving and you won’t be lost Wi-Fi hunting when settling in to a new place.