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Let’s face it — moving to a new place can be so stressful and tiring at the same time. There are a lot of things that should be done beforehand in order to have a safe, smooth, and stress-free relocation experience. If you manage to sort out your belongings and do the most essential tasks in due time and before the big day, it will leave you with enough time to celebrate a new beginning.
Once you move into your new house, unpacking your possessions and taking care of major things would be standing in the way of fully settling in. And setting up your Wi-Fi connection is the first and most crucial step towards feeling settled in your new place.
We know that there is a lot going on already. Therefore, for your convenience, we have put together a list of steps that you need to follow to create a solid home network. Keep in mind, you are required to make a conscious effort even though these steps are not that time-consuming. We assure you that by following the below-mentioned steps, you’ll have your Wi-Fi network up and running in no time. Once your Wi-Fi is set up, you’ll be ready to sit back, stream your favorite show, and relax.
First things first: you need to find an Internet Service Provider that offers reliable and economical services in your area. If you have moved to a city, you will likely have quite a variety of Providers to choose from. However, you will have limited options when you move to a smaller town or a rural area.
Apart from availability, there are some other major factors that you must consider before signing up for internet service. Let’s take a look at those:
Once you find an internet service provider that you think is the perfect fit for your online needs, you can rely on your ISP to set up your network ID and password to get started.
Before you dive into choosing a wireless internet connection for your new home, it is crucial to know which type of internet service is ideal for your connectivity needs.
To help you make the right decision, here are the most common broadband connection types utilized by ISPs across the US:
Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) is the oldest internet connection type that is used to transfer digital data signals over the standard copper telephone lines. This is the most widely available internet type, especially in rural areas. The traditional DSL internet is often not as fast as cable internet, which is why DSL is offered at lower prices. However, ISPs are supplementing this traditional infrastructure with the fiber-optic backbone to offer higher speeds at lower prices. AT&T, Windstream, CenturyLink, and EarthLink are some of the popular high-speed DSL internet providers in the US.
Satellite broadband is a wireless internet type that utilizes communication satellites orbiting the earth to transfer internet signals from your provider’s hub to your home. This rural internet type is an ideal choice for people living in far-flung areas with no access to fiber-optic, DSL, or cable internet options. However, satellite internet has higher latency and lower data limits, and is also relatively expensive than other internet options. HughesNet delivers its satellite internet service to over 99% of the US territories.
The cable internet operates through a cable TV infrastructure to provide internet access to its subscribers. Unlike satellite internet, cable internet isn’t subject to outages due to poor weather conditions.
Not only that, the Hybrid Fiber Coaxial (HCF) version of cable is highly reliable and delivers faster download speeds comparable to that of fiber internet. Spectrum, Cox, Xfinity, Mediacom, WOW!, Optimum, and Suddenlink are America’s top hybrid fiber-cable internet providers.
Fiber optic Internet is the latest broadband connection type that offers symmetrical upload and download speeds up to 1000Mbps. The pure fiber-optic internet connection is considered the fastest option for high-speed connectivity, therefore more expensive than other broadband and hybrid fiber connections. It uses fiber-optic cables instead of copper wires to transmit data safely and quickly across long distances. AT&T Fiber, Wave Broadband, Windstream Kinetic, CenturyLink, RCN, Grande, MetroNet, and EarthLink are one of the biggest fiber internet providers in the US.
Having multiple devices connected to the same Wi-Fi network could slow down your wireless internet connection. So, if you can’t afford to compromise on the speed of your internet, it’s crucial to be mindful of the people and number of devices accessing your home network.
Before you sign up for an internet plan, make sure that you count the number of regular internet-connected devices in your home. Also, take note of when you start experiencing slow internet speeds. This way, it will be easier for you to decide whether it’s time to limit the number of devices that your family members use or get a Wi-Fi with a bigger capacity. There are different routers that come with an option to set up admin limits and Wi-Fi extenders that amplify your connection.
Understanding the types of online activities you indulge in and the data your household consumes helps you determine the internet plan you need to subscribe to.
If you just browse web pages and send emails, it will not consume that much data. On the other hand, if you stream HD or 4K videos or download large and heavy files, chances are, you’ll exceed your monthly data limit. To save yourself from paying additional monthly fees for exceeding data limits, you should consider upgrading your internet plan.
To get your house connected to your ISP’s network, you are required to install the internet equipment accompanied by your internet service. Some ISPs also allow you to opt for third-party internet equipment, provided if it’s compatible with your provider’s service.
Most providers offer professional installation services to set up your home internet connection for a fee. The fee can be a lot but you can keep a lookout for installation fee discounts offered by ISPs from time to time. If you are more into DIY and want to save up, all you need is a self-installation kit to set up your home Wi-Fi internet, which is usually offered by ISPs for free.
When it comes to setting up a wireless internet connection, the first thing that you need to do is connect the modem and router. You can either get a modem from your Internet Service Provider to use for a monthly fee or you could buy your own modem if your provider permits.
Make sure to invest in a high-tech and fastest wireless router as it paves the way to routing your internet connection from the modem throughout the home.
Try to place the router more centrally in your house for better coverage. Also, make sure that you don’t place it close to walls, electronic appliances, or windows as it could end up causing interferences.
Now that you have placed the router in an optimal location, it’s time to connect the modem to a cable outlet.
The next step is to plug in an Ethernet cable to the router and connect the other end of the Ethernet cable to the modem. This is the precise way to connect both internet devices.
On the other hand, you can opt for a Gateway, which is a two-in-one router and modem combo. This is a more convenient option but does not leave room for customization and flexibility like separate modem and router do.
Next, you have to connect the modem and router to an electrical outlet. Then, wait till the appropriate lights turn green.
Whether you want to connect your phone, laptop, or tablet, you have to go to the Wi-Fi settings of your individual devices. Once you go there, make sure you tap/click on the name of your network and access it with the password, which is usually written at the back of your device’s packaging. Make sure to change your network name and password to a secure one to prevent any hacking attempts. Now, you are ready to surf the web, check emails, stream your favorite shows, and play online games across your devices.
The wireless nature of such networks makes it easier for multiple users to stay connected for as long as they are connected to the wireless network. The availability and flexibility of signals make it possible for users to carry on their everyday online activities anywhere in the house without worries.
With the increase in the popularity of wireless networks in public settings like coffee shops, hotels, bookstores, restaurants, etc, it is easier for people to connect to the internet at little or no cost.
Employees and students can meet the deadlines of their assigned tasks even when they are on the go. This results in enhancing everyone’s productivity.
Unlike wired connections, Wi-Fi connections are more vulnerable to hacking. If you are a frequent public Wi-Fi network user, there are high chances that hackers can access your personal data and end up stealing your sensitive information. It’s better to tap into a private network rather than a public one when using the internet on the go.
Despite the convenience of its wireless nature, these networks are quite slower than wired connections.
While home Wi-Fi internet is quite popular among people, not everyone knows the right way to set it up. Following the aforementioned steps to set up your Wi-Fi for home. You’ll save yourself plenty of time and money because you won’t have to pay a professional.
It totally depends on the area you live in, your internet connection type, the number of connected devices in your home, and the data you intend to use. Fiber optic Internet is considered the fastest internet. The cable internet is fast yet economical. If you live in rural areas, DSL and Satellite would be great options for you. However, they are much slower than other reliable options.
There are many factors that affect the speed of your Wi-Fi. If you don’t own a perfectly configured Wi-Fi, you may experience slow internet speeds. Using too many devices on the same wireless network can also hinder the speed. You can conduct a speed test for your home Wi-Fi internet to determine if you need to upgrade your plan.
Sean has an extensive knowledge of internet service providers, including Cox Communications, Windstream, and HughesNet. He understands the unique services that each provider offers and can provide valuable insights into how these services can benefit our customers. He is also a valuable team member, seasoned SEO and digital marketing specialist. With years of experience in the field, he is well-versed in the latest updates and provider news that contributes to our reader's decision-making process.