Best Internet’s guide to moving home internet

29 November 2021

When you’re moving home, there’s an endless list of things you need to remember — and the last thing you want to do is get stuck for days on end without an internet connection. Don’t get caught with your wires down! Best Internet is giving you the ultimate guide to moving your home internet connection — and which internet service providers you can rely on, if your current ISP doesn’t provide connection in your new ‘hood. Read on to find out how you can set up your new connection, and to see our handy FAQs on moving your home internet.

How to set up your internet before moving house

Wi-Fi, modem, LTE or fibre: There’s a lotta internet out there. Here’s your guide on how to transfer your current connection from your old home to your new one.

1. Contact your ISP
Before you move, be sure to contact your current provider to alert them about your move.
They should be able to fill you in on the easiest way to move your connection and answer all your questions.

2. Check that your ISP is available in your new area
When you’re contacting your service provider, be sure to ask them if they cover your new neighbourhood. If they don’t — you will have to find a new ISP, and you will want to know this as soon as possible.

3. Look out for internet specials and deals in your new area
If you are going to need to move internet service providers, look out for deals or discounts specific to your new neighbourhood.

4. Schedule a call or installation date
Depending on the type of internet you have in your current home, it may be a simple case of turning on your router and modem in your new home. If this is the case – set up a call with your ISP to ensure your device is connected.

If your home move requires internet installation, some service providers will allow you to schedule an installation date.

Best Internet Tip: Plan your connection move as far in advance as possible. This will give you the best chance of securing a convenient installation date, and lower your chances of going without internet.

5. What equipment you need to take when moving internet
Depending on your ISP contract, you may be allowed to take your modem and Wi-Fi router with you. Just be sure you have all the cables you need for connection when you make your move.

If you’re moving providers too, double check whether your router and modem are loaned or owned by you — you could be required to send your router back to your current ISP.

Setting up internet connection in a new home

How to move your Wi-Fi router or modem connection

Luckily, with everything that you have to take note of when moving, re-setting up your Wi-Fi router or modem will be one of the simplest.

The first thing you’ll need to do, is to be sure that your current ISP covers your new area.
You can check this out on Best Internet’s handy internet coverage map.
Once you’re sure you’re covered — the rest is easy!

Because these are wireless technologies that use radio frequencies to give you an internet connection, it’s as easy as unplugging it from your old house and plugging it back into your new house. If you have a modem, simply plug it into a cable outlet on your laptop or PC.
Wait for the device to fully power up and test your internet connection.

How to set up fibre optic internet in a new home

This is a little more complicated because homes that use fibre rely on optic cables – not wireless radio frequencies – to get an internet connection. Being able to receive fibre is largely dependent on if the area you’re moving to is fibre-ready.

So here’s what you’re going to do: Firstly, check to see if your new street is covered by fibre by entering your address into Best Internet’s fibre coverage map. If your new address is fibre-ready, then great! Call your internet service provider (ISP) to let them know that you are moving house and they will, in conjunction with your fibre provider, update the connection to your new address.

If your new street address does not have fibre, you may have to switch to a fibre provider that covers your area or opt for Wi-Fi or LTE. Either way, the cost of the remaining contract period plus cancellation fees will apply if you are cancelling within the initial contract period you signed up for.

Learn more about provider cancellation policies here.

If you have LTE/4G

Like Wi-Fi, LTE or 4G is wireless. Simply move your devices that are connected to LTE to your new home. Remember, the area you’re moving to must be covered by LTE too. If it isn’t, your phone or tablet will automatically downgrade its connection to 3G.

Your moving internet FAQs, answered

Read these useful tips before your move, to get the most out of your new home and internet.

• Can I move or set up my internet in my new place before I move?
  This depends. Are you moving into a house that you already own and is standing empty? Then, yes. Are you moving to a rented apartment while the current tenants are still there? We’d advise to wait until you’re moved in. Are you a fibre user and moving to an area that has no fibre? Then, no.
  
  
• Where should I put the Wi-Fi router?
  The best place for a Wi-Fi router to be is in a central location or a shared area so that everyone can make use of the connection. Also, if you stream on a smart TV on Wi-Fi, it’ll need to be fairly close to your TV and not in a bedroom up on the second story.
  
  
• If I work from home, how much bandwidth do I need?
  If you are expecting to use your internet connection for work, TV streaming and social media with multiple users, it is best to get a 20Mbps line or more. Jobs such as coding, digital marketing, data analysis, research or photo editing need reliable, high-speed internet and would benefit from a 50 — 100Mbps line.
  
  
• Is one router enough for a double-story house?
  Most likely not. Remember, a device (let’s say a smart TV) needs to be able to receive radio waves from your router to connect and stream. So, if your one-and-only router is situated downstairs, its likely it won’t help any of the devices upstairs, especially the ones behind closed doors. Read NetSpot’s top 10 ways to improve boost your Wi-Fi.
  
  
• Is it smarter to go wireless or to choose fibre?
  When it comes to the question of moving, wireless is the better choice. When it’s a question of speed and reliability, fibre optic cables are second to none.

Browse home internet deals with Best Internet

Moving or changing your internet shouldn’t be a stressful process when you’re moving house. Luckily, you have a number of options available to you when moving, depending on where you’re going or if your internet needs have suddenly changed. Best Internet is here to guide and support you all the way.

Get the best home internet deals with Best Internet today!