More Broadband for Your Buck

Countdown to Switching ISPs

Changing from one broadband ISP to another doesn't have to be a nightmare if you take the right steps.

T-minus six weeks: Start looking for a new service. Contact your existing ISP to find out its e-mail and Web site forwarding policies, and what you need to do to disconnect.

T-minus four to five weeks: Order the new service; determine your new e-mail and Web site addresses.

T-minus one week: Call to confirm that the installer is still planning to show up at the appointed time. Inform frequent e-mail correspondents of your new e-mail and Web site addresses, and the changeover date.

T-minus three days: Make sure that you have copies of any important files (such as Web pages) that you stored on your current ISP's servers.

T-minus one day: Disconnect all wireless or wired networks from the PC that will connect to the new service.

B-Day (Broadband Day), before installation: Disconnect your current broadband modem, if you have one.

B-Day, after installation: Plug in the new broadband modem and any networking hardware. Reconfigure your e-mail program to receive mail from your old service, and to send and receive mail using the new service.

B-Day plus one: Test all Internet applications to make sure they work with the new service. Send a reminder to contacts about your new e-mail address. Upload Web pages or other files to the new ISP's servers.

B-Day plus seven: Evaluate your new service's speed. If you're switching from a dial-up account and your broadband service is working well, ask your dial-up provider to discontinue service and to forward messages to your new e-mail in-box.