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Internet by City

How to switch internet providers

In the median city we cover, 7 wired or fixed wireless providers report service, 3 of them mainly over a wired line. Here is how to move from one to another without going offline.

First, see what reaches your address

Start from your address, not your city: check your address on the FCC National Broadband Map, then open your city page for each provider's technology and top advertised speed.

Choice varies a lot. In 0 of our 200 cities only one provider is mainly wired, while 143 have three or more. The cities with the most providers in our data:

Then compare like with like

  • Technology: fiber, cable, DSL, fixed wireless or satellite. See the fiber vs cable and 5G home internet guides for how they differ.
  • Upload as well as download speed, if you work from home or send large files.
  • Plan terms: contract length, equipment fees, installation fees and any monthly data limit.

Check your current contract

Look for an end date and any fee for leaving early. Note which equipment belongs to the provider, because rented modems and routers usually have to be returned.

Order the new service before cancelling the old one

Schedule the new installation or delivery first, and confirm it works at home before you cancel. A few days of overlap costs less time than a gap with no connection.

Finally, cancel and return equipment

Cancel with the old provider once the new service is running. Ask for a confirmation in writing, return any rented equipment the way the provider specifies, and keep the receipt.

Questions

How many internet providers can I choose from?

In the median city we cover, 7 wired or fixed wireless providers report service, 3 of them mainly wired. What reaches your address can be fewer, so check it on the FCC map.

Should I cancel my old internet before the new one is installed?

Order the new service first and cancel the old one after the new connection works, so there is no gap.

Do I have to return my old modem?

If the equipment is rented from the provider, it usually has to be returned. Check your account or contract to see which equipment you own.

Source: FCC National Broadband Map, Broadband Data Collection, availability as of December 31, 2025 (published September 29, 2026). Providers report where they offer service; a listed provider may not serve every address. Advertised speeds are not measured speeds. Check a specific address on the address check page. How we build these pages.