Written by Alice Williams
You’ve packed every box, organized the movers, and finally arrived in your new city. The process of getting out of your old place is complete; now it’s time to start making your new place a home. One of the most crucial steps is getting your Internet up and running. But how do you know where you’ll get the best service for the best price?
If you find yourself overwhelmed with all the information and promotions thrown your way when it comes to Internet Service Providers (ISP), we’re here to help. The perfect way to start off the new year in your new city is with a bunch of savings. Here’s what to look for and some of the best deals offered by popular providers.
What to look for in an ISP
Between download speeds and delivery methods, it’s easy to get confused when shopping for an Internet provider. Make sure you get exactly what you need by following these tried-and-true tips.
- Know how much speed you need
Internet providers offer anything from less than 1 Mbps (megabits per second) to 100 Mbps. With higher speeds come higher price tags. Make sure you don’t pay for more than you need. Look at the number of devices used in your household and the activities performed, then get a plan that gives you just what you need.
- Consider bundles
If you plan to get cable or satellite TV and a phone in addition to Internet, you might want to check into deals offered for multiple services. Bundling phone and Internet can help you save on both.
- Pick the right type of service
There are many ways that Internet can be delivered to your home — DSL, fiber-optic, cable, satellite, and even dial-up. The pros and cons of each come down to the speeds they offer and whether or not your connection is shared with other customers or dedicated to you alone. Whether you live in the city or a more rural area can also limit the types of Internet available.
- Sign a contract — or don’t
Many ISPs offer special deals to customers who sign a 12- or 24-month contract. The contract lets you lock in your price, protecting you from price increases for the duration of the contract. If you plan to move or expect changing Internet needs, you might want to find a provider that offers more flexibility than a contract offers.
- Check out reputations
It pays to do a little research. Read customer reviews and find out what other customers have to say about each provider’s reliability and customer service. You want a provider that has a strong reputation for uninterrupted service and fast, friendly help when you need it.
Providers with great deals
We all want to get the best deal available, but not everyone has time to research and find every offer out there. To make things easier for you, we’ve done the hard work for you. Here are some of the best Internet deals out there.
- XFINITY®: Internet plus home automation
If you’re shopping for home automation and security options in addition to Internet, XFINITY has a great deal for customers who bundle services. XFINITY Home can help you turn your house into a smart home and get you online. If home automation is part of your moving plan, find out what they have available in your area.
- Verizon: Super-fast speeds
For those with a need for speed, Verizon is offering Internet speeds up to 500 Mbps. Plans start between $45 and $265, depending on what speeds you want and whether or not you bundle other services like HDTV and a home phone. Most of their plans do require a contract, so make sure you’re ready to make a commitment.
- AT&T: Best for bargain hunters
Reliable Internet at a reasonable price can be yours with a deal from AT&T. They offer plans starting as low as $15 per month. If you’re watching the bottom line, it’s worth keeping an eye on the latest AT&T deals. Some packages may require a contract and additional services, but if you hate sticker shock, they have some of the most affordable bundles out there.
- Frontier: Customizable connections
Thanks to the large number of options offered by Frontier, you can get hooked up with everything from Internet to digital TV — all for prices starting as low as $19.99 per month. Frontier is currently offering their ‘Price for Life’ plan which locks in your monthly package price. They offer speeds up to 6 Mbps and are easy to work with if you don’t want to sign a contract. If you like the freedom of a monthly service you’re not tied to, Frontier might be the perfect fit.
Moving comes with enough things to sort out. You shouldn’t be stumped when it comes to finding a reliable ISP you can afford. Use these tips so you know what to look for and, since offers change from time to time and vary by location, remember to check out different providers for the latest deals in your area.
Alice Williams is a digital communications expert for AT&T with an MA in Communication Studies. She writes extensively on communication, business and tech and is currently based in Salt Lake City.
TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® 
Thanks for this. It’s good to plan as much as you can in advance for a move, and your internet and TV service is a big one.
We’re glad you found it helpful, Jessie!
Thanks for the post. I agree that you shouldn’t pay for more speed than you need. Although, pretty much everything we do these days is online. I stream a lot of TV shows and movies. It is important that you meet the needs of your habits. Checking out review of providers is also a great way to pick someone that cares about their customers.
Great point, Bob. We do love a good Netflix series!
The internet at my house right now is super slow, and we have been thinking about choosing a new provider to speed it up. It makes sense that you will want to research the company and see how customers like them. I know that I would also want to see how fast the customer’s internet was after it was installed.