Internet Moving Checklist: 30 Days Out to Move Day

Moving internet is the kind of thing that's easy when you do it right and miserable when you don't. The two failure modes are getting double-billed for service at two addresses and arriving at the new place with no internet for a week. Both are avoidable with timing.

30 days out: confirm what's available at the new address

Before you book anything, confirm what providers serve your new address. Don't assume — coverage is street-by-street in most markets, and the provider you have now may not serve where you're moving. Check official provider availability pages for the new address, and run the FCC National Broadband Map at broadbandmap.fcc.gov as a cross-reference.

21 days out: schedule the new install (if needed)

Fiber installs and wired-broadband transfers to addresses without recent service typically need a technician truck-roll, scheduled 7–14 days out. Self-install (where the existing infrastructure is in place and you just plug in modem/ONT) can usually happen within 48 hours.

Aim to have new-address service active 1–3 days before your physical move-in. The slight overlap costs you a few dollars and saves you from arriving to a house with movers, kids, and no Wi-Fi to keep anyone occupied.

14 days out: notify your current provider

Call your current provider with your move-out date. Two paths from here:

• Same provider, new address. Request service transfer to the new address. Confirm whether your current promo pricing transfers (it often does for in-network moves) and what equipment changes are needed.
• Different provider at new address. Schedule cancellation for the day after your move-out. Avoid scheduling cancellation before move-out — you'll lose internet for the last few days at the old place.

7 days out: pack the equipment carefully

Two things to pack: the modem/router and the equipment-return packaging.

Carrier-provided modems and routers must be returned within a stated window (typically 30–45 days) or you'll be charged for the equipment. Box them carefully — keep the original packaging if you have it, or use a sturdy substitute with bubble wrap. Photograph the equipment in the box before you ship it as evidence.

If you own your own modem/router, just take it with you. Compatible modems generally work across DOCSIS providers; routers work anywhere.

Move week: the actual transition

Day before move-out: confirm the new-address install. If it's a tech-install, confirm the appointment window. If it's self-install, confirm the equipment has shipped and arrived.

Day of move-in: connect modem/ONT to the new address's hookup, plug router into modem, log in to the carrier's activation portal (URL provided in the install kit), wait 5–10 minutes for the line to provision. If it doesn't activate within 30 minutes, call support.

Day after: return old equipment

Drop off the old equipment at any UPS Store (most carriers prepay UPS labels — check your account) or at a carrier retail store if there's one nearby. Get a receipt or tracking number — this is your proof if the carrier later claims they didn't receive the equipment.

Verify your old account is closed and final bill is correct. If you see an equipment charge a month later despite returning everything on time, the receipt/tracking is what gets it removed.

30 days after: confirm the final bill

Watch your final invoice from the old provider for: pro-rated charges through your actual cancellation date, any unreturned-equipment fees, and refund of any deposit you paid. If anything looks wrong, dispute it with the receipt/tracking from your equipment return.

For the new service, watch the second month's bill — that's when promotional pricing sometimes drops off if it was supposed to apply to first month only.

We help with this on every call. If you're moving into a market where we represent providers (see our cities), we can pull up everything available at your new address and walk you through transfer-vs-switch math in 10 minutes.