How to set up your internet in a new home

Moving to a new house? The process involves more than just arranging furniture. You also need to transfer your internet service and get it set up and running. From choosing the right ISP to configuring your wireless router and securing your WiFi network, a proper setup ensures every device in your home stays connected.

This step-by-step guide will show you how to set up your internet in your new home so you can enjoy fast and reliable access from day one.

Before setting up an internet connection in your new home, it’s critical to understand your specific online needs and the right internet speed plans you need for reliable internet access.

The types of activities you engage in online determine what internet speed you should choose. These activities include:

• Web browsing and email
• Streaming HD and 4K videos on multiple devices
• Online gaming
• Working from home with video calls and file sharing

If your home has multiple devices, such as phones, laptops, smart TVs and IoT (Internet of Things) devices, you’ll need more internet bandwidth to keep your home network running smoothly. A strong WiFi installation or wired Ethernet connection can prevent slowdowns when multiple users are online simultaneously.

To make the internet moving process to your new home easier, use an internet moving checklist from your ISP. A good checklist includes internet setup instructions, payment options and account alert information.

Some factors to consider when selecting an Internet Service Provider are:

Internet coverage varies depending on where you live. Confirm coverage and locally available services with your ISP. Some homes may require a new line installation, especially for fiber internet, while others may qualify for a quick self-install if coaxial cables for cable internet are already in place.

ISPs offer rates that vary depending on the type of service you receive and your location. Determine your budget and compare different internet plans to find affordable WiFi. Talk to your ISP about deals and promotions for the cheapest way to get WiFi in your house.

Pay attention to the internet plan’s contract length and terms. Long-term agreements may make it hard to change providers by charging early termination fees, whereas short-term contracts or monthly agreements offer flexibility.

It’s essential to understand your household’s needs as they determine what speeds are necessary. Bandwidth-intensive activities like online gaming, video conferencing, downloading large files and streaming 4K content may require Gigabit internet speeds.

The type of internet connection you choose influences the speed, reliability and performance of your home network. Take a look at some of the most popular internet connections below.

• Fiber internet: Uses fiber optic cables to deliver the fastest speeds and low latency, although availability is generally limited to major urban and suburban areas.
• Cable internet: Uses coaxial cables to deliver fast and reliable service that’s widely available.
• DSL service: Transmits data over telephone lines. Slower than fiber and cable, but broadly available.
• Satellite internet: Accessible in remote areas but often has higher latency and slower speeds than fiber and cable.
• 5G home internet: Uses wireless signals from 5G cell towers to deliver data. Offers fast speeds and low latency, but performance fluctuates depending on distance from cell towers, physical obstacles, weather or network congestion.

The ISP you choose should be able to provide immediate and effective customer support 24/7 if your internet connection is disrupted. They should also include self-help resources, such as online tutorials, a mobile app for account management and FAQs to help you resolve common issues without contacting them directly.

Check whether your existing modem and router are compatible with your new provider. Some ISPs provide a gateway device, while others allow you to bring your own modem or router during installation.

Larger homes with multiple devices connected to WiFi need more reliable home internet coverage than what a single wireless router can provide. A mesh WiFi system, such as Astound’s eero mesh WiFi, helps eliminate dead zones by using multiple mesh nodes to create a single seamless wireless network across your home. This way, your devices automatically connect to the strongest signal available as you move around your home.

With eero’s TrueMesh technology, the mesh WiFi network dynamically routes traffic to find the most efficient paths to avoid slowdowns and interference, providing a more reliable and consistent connection.

A mesh WiFi system provides various advantages, such as:

• • Quick installation
  • Improved home internet coverage
  • Seamless network roaming
  • Easy to scale, just add more beacons around the house
  • App-based network management
  • Resistance to downtimes because devices in a mesh system immediately connect to the nearest beacon in case one of the beacons fails

Astound offers the eero mesh WiFi system with its Gig-speed internet plans, giving you wider coverage, fast Gigabit speeds and built-in protection for your home WiFi with eero Secure and eero Plus. eero Secure and eero Plus provide advanced security features like threat protection, ad blocking, VPN and content filters to keep your home network safe and reliable.

Even with the best setup, you may run into issues with your home internet. Here are some issues you may encounter when setting up your WiFi and how to troubleshoot them:

• • Make sure your modem, router or gateway device is connected to a power supply and turned on.
  • Check that the Ethernet cables are plugged into your modem and router.
  • Power cycle your modem by unplugging it from the power source for about 60 seconds and plugging it back in.
  • Verify that your router’s WiFi signal icon is on and all devices are not in airplane mode.
  • Confirm that your device is connected to the correct network.

• • Connect a desktop computer or laptop to the router with an Ethernet cable and run a speed test to determine if there is an issue with your internet connection.
  • Try adjusting the WiFi channels in your router’s settings through a web browser, since congestion from nearby networks can slow performance.
  • Reset your router by pressing the reset button and holding it down for 30 seconds.
  • Update your router’s firmware for performance and security updates.
  • Move your router to a central location to improve signal strength.
  • For larger homes, consider adding mesh WiFi for broad signal coverage.
  • Identify electric appliances or wall structures that could be interfering with the WiFi signals.

• • If a device can’t connect, test whether another device can connect to the same network.
  • Reset the affected device’s network settings or “forget” the WiFi login and reconnect using your current password.

If connection issues persist, follow Astound’s guide to troubleshooting internet issues or contact our customer support team for help with your internet issues.

You can stay connected in the short term while waiting for your WiFi installation to be completed in the following ways:

• Use a mobile hotspot on your smartphone to share data with other devices.
• Connect to a public WiFi at places like restaurants, coffee shops or libraries. Remember to use a VPN for sensitive transactions, as public WiFi is less secure.

Most WiFi installations take an average of 1–3 days to schedule and complete. With Astound, many households are able to get connected much sooner thanks to same-day WiFi installation options available in select areas.

Setting up the internet in your new home starts with understanding your needs, choosing the right internet service provider and ensuring you have the essential WiFi installation equipment. Adding tools like Astound’s eero mesh WiFi can expand coverage and deliver consistent performance throughout the house.

In addition, secure your WiFi network by creating a unique password, setting up guest networks and updating your router’s firmware and encryption protocols to protect your data and devices. If you experience connection issues, try troubleshooting steps such as power cycling your equipment, placing the router and mesh nodes centrally or adjusting the router settings to quickly resolve common problems.

While waiting for installation, you can use a mobile hotspot or public WiFi to stay connected. In many areas, Astound offers same-day WiFi installation to help you get set up faster. And with Astound’s 24/7 customer support, you’ll always have help available to enjoy fast, reliable internet from day one in your new home.