Quick Answer: You can usually get home internet working on move-in day if you plan ahead. Check which providers serve your new address, order a week or two early and pick a service you can set up yourself. T-Mobile 5G Home Internet ships a gateway with Same Day Delivery with DoorDash that you can plug in without a technician.
The best cure for any strain of post moving-day fatigue is to order a pizza, plug in the TV and stream your favorite comfort movie. But you can’t exactly do that without a reliable home internet connection. Thankfully, the stress (and potential boredom) that comes with being untethered to the digital realm can easily be avoided by being proactive and contacting your new internet service provider a week or so before your moving date.
And if you’re looking to get your home online quickly by day one, without fiddling with wires or waiting for a technician to show up, 5G home internet is a great option worth considering. It’s super easy to set up too, since all you need is an open wall outlet.
Here’s how you can easily get your home internet hooked up and ready to go on move-in day.
T-Mobile 5G home internet plans
T-Mobile offers three 5G Home Internet plans. Here’s how they compare:
| Feature | Rely | Amplified | All-In |
| Monthly price (with AutoPay & a voice line) | $30 | $40 | $50 |
| Money back (virtual prepaid Mastercard. Allow 7 weeks from rebates submission) | $100 | $100 | $200 |
| One month on T-Mobile (via bill credit; plus tax) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Annual contract | No contracts | No contracts | No contracts |
| Setup | No technician required | No technician required | No technician required |
| Price guarantee (exclusions like taxes & fees apply) | 5-Year Price Guarantee | 5-Year Price Guarantee | 10-Year Price Guarantee |
Can I activate home internet the day I move in?
Yes, it’s possible to get an internet connection up and running on move-in day. All it takes is a little bit of planning ahead, typically two weeks before your move date. Bear in mind that the amount of time it takes to get internet service set up at your new place depends on the type of service you’ve chosen, as well as your new home’s existing infrastructure.
Your quickest option is to choose a wireless 5G home internet service. This type of service is designed to be installed on your own and doesn’t require any pre-existing wiring or help from a technician. Instead, you just plug in a gateway device and follow a set of simple instructions, and within an hour you’ll be connected. With T-Mobile, 5G Home Internet set up can be completed within just 15 minutes.
If your new home is already wired for cable, fiber or DSL connections, you can have your internet service provider deliver a self-installation kit to your home. Or if you’re not very tech-savvy, schedule an appointment in advance for a technician to swing by and get things hooked up for you, which could take a few hours.
How do I set up internet at a new place before I move in?
Just like with your water and electric utilities, you really don’t want to wait until move-in day to figure out how to get your internet hooked up. Starting this process at least two weeks before your move-in date should give you plenty of time to prepare your service and equipment, so your home is online by day one.
Writing a short checklist with essential steps to take, such as checking internet service options at your new address and canceling internet service at your current address, should help keep you on track. Here are some key steps to plan for in this process:
- Check which providers offer internet services at your new address (or see about transferring service).
- Select your service plan and installation option.
- For self-installation, schedule the delivery of your installation kit to be on or before your move-in date. If a technician is required, schedule an appointment early so you’ll have internet on day one.
- Contact your old internet service provider and arrange to have service cut off after you move.
Does T-Mobile 5G Home Internet work right away, or do I have to wait for a technician?
You can easily self-install T-Mobile 5G Home Internet all by yourself within 15 minutes, with no technician visit required! To get things started, you’ll need your gateway device (which is a modem and router combined into one device) and the T-Life app installed on your phone.
From here, you’ll just need to follow a few simple steps:
- Unbox your self-installation kit, which includes the 5G gateway device, the device’s power adapter and an optional windowsill bracket.
- Connect the gateway to a power outlet with included cable and plug.
- Wait for the T-Mobile logo to be visible on the gateway’s screen. Then, download the T-Life app by scanning the QR code found on your 5G Home Internet set up card or lit up on the gateway’s screen.
- Log in to the T-Life app and locate the area of your home where T-Mobile’s signal is strongest.
- Change your Wi-Fi network’s name and password.
- Connect your home’s devices to your new network, and you’re good to go.
For a limited time, you can get T-Mobile 5G Home Internet starting at just $30 per month (with a voice line and AutoPay, plus taxes & fees). That’s a $30 monthly savings from the regular $60 per month starting rate (plus taxes & fees) with no T-Mobile phone line or bundling required.
What’s the difference between 5G home internet and fiber?
Fiber and 5G home internet (also known as fixed wireless) can come with some pretty drastic differences when it comes to set up, pricing and internet speeds. Fiber internet uses fiber-optic cables to deliver gigabit-speed internet straight to your home through a wired connection, while 5G home internet is completely wireless.
5G home internet is much like how you receive service on your cell phone. This wireless connection uses a gateway device placed within your home to receive over-the-air signals from nearby transmission towers. And since there aren’t any cables or wires involved, you can typically set up service on your own, without the help of a technician.
Service availability can be a bit of a mixed bag. Because fiber is still relatively new, not every neighborhood has the infrastructure to support a fiber-optic connection. However, fixed wireless service offerings also vary by location.
If your area isn’t already wired to support a fiber connection, you’ll have to contact an internet service provider to see what your options are. It’s also worth noting that while fiber is generally faster than other types of internet services, the monthly cost of fiber can get pricey. If costs are just as important as reliable and fast internet, then you’re likely better off selecting a less expensive option, like cable or T-Mobile’s 5G Home Internet.
FAQ
How long does it take to switch internet providers when you move?
It depends on the provider. Wired services that need a technician might take anywhere from a few hours to a few days to schedule, depending on the type of service you need and the installation requirements. A self-setup service like T-Mobile 5G Home Internet can be running once the gateway arrives. Start the switch a week or two before moving day.
Will I get charged an early termination fee if I cancel my internet plan because I’m moving?
Check your current agreement. Some providers charge an early termination fee, and others will simply let you transfer service to the new address if available. T-Mobile 5G Home Internet doesn’t require an annual contract.
Is there home internet with no contract and no installation fee?
Yes, T-Mobile 5G Home Internet has no annual contract and there’s no installation fee because you set it up yourself.
What’s the cheapest home internet plan available right now?
Prices change often and depend on your address. The Rely plan is T-Mobile’s current lowest-priced 5G Home Internet plan at $30 per month with a T-Mobile Voice line or $35 per month without a voice line. When shopping around, compare the full monthly cost, including equipment fees and any price increase after a promotional period.
What’s the cheapest broadband plan available?
Broadband internet prices typically vary by location. Things like promotional offers, equipment costs and installation fees can also impact the price you pay for internet service. As of right now, you can get Rely, T-Mobile’s lowest-priced 5G Home Internet plan, for just $30 per month when enrolled in AutoPay and bundled with a T-Mobile Voice line.
How do I test my internet speed after setting up home internet at a new place?
Run a speed test on a device near the gateway, then again in the rooms you use most. If speeds are low, try moving the gateway closer to a window, or choose a spot that’s higher up, like a shelf or bookcase.