If you are growing increasingly displeased with your internet provider, then it could be time to pull the plug and turn on service with a new internet service provider (ISP).Whatever your reason, we’ll discuss the advantages of switching ISPs and how to do it.What you should consider when switching internet providers A Statista survey showed that 30% of respondents were unlikely to change their internet provider.
It can be a hassle, but if you take your time and do your research, it can save you money, which is the top consideration for switching ISPs.Other reasons to switch broadband providers Allconnect asked internet customers for the main reasons they would switch providers.Click through to find out what they said: How to cancel your existing service Before you sign up with a new provider, you’ll want to look into the cancellation process for your situation.
Often, ISPs will lock you into a two-year contract and you’ll have to pay fees if you terminate early.To find out the cancellation process for your ISP, check their website or give their customer support line a call.Here are some resources to help you get started: AT&T CenturyLink Cox Frontier Google Fiber Hughesnet Mediacom Optimum Spectrum Verizon Fios Windstream Xfinity Pro tip: Some ISPs offer an option to temporarily stop or suspend service and pick it back up at the end of the specified time period.
Determine associated cancellation fees If you’ve signed a contract and you want to cancel service before the end of that agreement, you might have to pay what’s called an Early Termination Fee (ETF).The ETF varies depending on your ISP and your contract terms.The table below shows the current ETFs for several top providers.
And don’t forget military members may be able to avoid ETFs in some circumstances. Early termination fees to cancel internet service Internet providerEarly Termination Fee Additional information AT&T$180.00 (decreases by $15.00 for every month of service) No fee if you cancel within 14 days CenturyLinkNoneNo contracts Cox$10 per month for every remaining month in the term.Not all plans require contracts FrontierUp to $400.00, plus $50.00 equipment restocking feeN/A Google Fiber$300 if you cancel in first yearGoogle Fiber refers to its ETF as a “construction fee” HughesnetUp to $400.00May also charge up to $300 for unreturned rented equipment MediacomUp to $240.00ETFs reduced each day that you maintain service OptimumNoneNo contracts SpectrumNoneNo contracts VerizonNoneNo contracts KineticNoneNo contracts Xfinity$10 for each remaining month on your contractLog in to your account to find your specific ETF terms in your contract Things to remember when canceling service: If you’ve rented a router, modem or any other equipment from your provider, you must return it as part of the cancellation process. If you return the equipment late or damaged, you may incur additional fees.Some ISPs, such as Cox or WOW!, have a 30-day satisfaction guarantee.If you’re canceling because you’re dissatisfied with service and can point to something in your contract that backs up your claim, this could be your way out. When switching to your new service, see if they have a buyout offer.
Some ISPs, such as Spectrum, will cover any ETFs to win over your business.When determining your cancellation date with your former provider and your service start date with your new one, allow yourself some overlap (or at least have a backup plan if you’re without internet for a few days).You might want to get your cancellation scheduled before confirming your installation date, as many ISPs require some advance notice for termination.
Will your new internet provider buy out your contract? ISPs often run introductory promos that offer a buyout from your current/former provider — though this isn’t always the case.These plans may cover your ETF or other associated charges with making the switch.The following ISPs offer some buyout plans: Spectrum also offers up to $500 Verizon Fios has a buyout program, also with a max of $500.
Before you switch: Find and compare Before you cancel your current service, investigate the other options in your area to make sure you can switch promptly and get the improvements you want, whether a lower price, faster speed or better reliability.How to find internet providers near you There are thousands of internet providers in the U.S., but that doesn’t mean you have endless options.ISPs are present in specific geographic locations; they’re not always fully available nationwide.
To find internet providers in your area, you can conduct a search on Allconnect.This is a great starting point because you can start to build a list of potential ISPs that you can vet depending on your needs.Just enter your ZIP code, and we’ll show you internet and bundle options for your home.
Comparing internet providers When comparing internet providers, one thing you’ll need to confirm is upload/download speeds.First, determine the internet speed you need and then confirm speeds upfront (and get a guarantee when negotiating if possible).Beyond internet speed, there are some other key considerations: Reputation and customer service — ISPs aren’t exactly consumers’ favorite types of companies to do business with.
This is why it’s important to do your due diligence.Consider customer reviews and the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) rankings. Read the fine print — ISPs sneak a lot of legalese in their contractual agreements.And while it’s tempting to skip over it, you’ll want to pay closer attention before you sign.
Learn how to find hidden fees and see if you can negotiate to get those waived.Look for any other red flags like service add-ons or data limits.Watch out for introductory offers —Another thing to look out for is when you sign up with an introductory offer: Make sure that promo is applied to your entire service agreement and not just your first monthly bill.
Ensure equipment compatibility — If you own your internet equipment, make sure it’s compatible with the ISPs you’re considering.If you’re set on an incompatible provider, this may require expenses to purchase or rent additional equipment.Consider negotiating before you cancel Before you switch to another provider, you may be able to negotiate some cost cuts with your current provider.
Not all ISPs are open to it, but some items could give you wiggle room, like installation fees, channel or speed upgrades and perks like gift cards or free streaming app access.Don’t feel like negotiating yourself? There are tools out there that can negotiate lower bills and even cancel your internet service for you.Experian can’t cancel on your behalf, but they can try to reduce ETFs by about half.
Visit the Rocket website to learn how to cancel internet and other services.One Main Trim can’t cancel your service, but it can negotiate lower rates and ETFs.How to sign a new contract Perhaps the biggest tip anyone can give you about signing a new internet service contract is to negotiate, negotiate, negotiate! Here’s some tips to make the process easier: You have the power — When it comes to negotiating your new contract, you have the most power before you’ve signed anything.
After you’ve signed, you’re locked in and you have significantly less bargaining power.Do your research — Start by doing your research about all your options and promotions, for both the ISP in consideration and their competitors in your area.Once you’ve gathered your intel, it helps to talk to a human, whether it’s at a brick-and-mortar location or on the phone, to increase your chances at success.
Look for incentives — Ask about buy-out options or other promotions they’re offering for customers who are switching.Even if they don’t have an official one listed above or on their website, a representative might be able to help you out.Check out bundles — Ask about how bundling options might save you money.
Be mindful that these might require specific contract terms we warned you about above.How Allconnect can help If you’re feeling intimidated, don’t be.We can help you search for and find providers in your area.
In addition, you can speak with one of our internet experts to learn more about each provider, find out special rates and promotions, sign up for new service and schedule your installation — all on one call.We work with dozens of providers so that you don’t have to! What to read next Read more Featured 100% of KS and RI residents have broadband access.Where does your state rank? Joe Supan — 5 min read Featured Want to save money on your cable and internet bills? Our insiders show you how Samantha Cossick — 6 min read Latest Wednesday, September 3, 2025 How to switch internet providers and save money Camryn Smith — 6 min read Wednesday, August 27, 2025 Ethernet vs.
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