Self-Installing Your Own Internet

Lauren Hannula Managing Editor

Updated 14 December 2023

In this Guide

Which Internet Providers Offer Self-Installation?
How to Self-Install Your Internet
Pros & Cons of Self-Installing Your Internet
Choosing the Right Internet Provider

Most internet providers offer an option to self-install your internet, as long as your address is eligible
Your self-installation kit includes all of your required equipment and instructions
Internet self-installation is typically easy and cheaper than a tech install, but requires some technical knowledge, especially if a problem pops up

When signing up for a new internet service, you'll usually have the option for a professional to come install your internet equipment or install your internet service yourself. You may also need to self-install your internet when moving to a new home. We’ll give you the rundown on who offers internet self-installation, what you can expect, and the steps needed to do it yourself.

Steps to Self-Install Your Internet

Connect your modem to a coaxial cable and plug it in to a power source.
Connect your router to your modem with an ethernet cord, then plug it in to a power source.
Wait until all of your equipment has turned on (look for all lights to be flashing).
Activate your internet service online, via mobile app, or by phone.

Which Internet Providers Offer Self-Installation?

Nearly every U.S. internet provider offers a way to self-install your home internet service. Some popular companies with internet self-installation kits include:

Xfinity
AT&T
Spectrum
Verizon
Frontier
Cox
CenturyLink
Google Fiber
EarthLink
Optimum

#1	Optimum	Optimum 300 Mbps Internet Cable 300/300 Mbps Unlimited Data $25/mo with $10/month eligible Auto Pay & Paperless Bill. Wired connection. WiFi speeds may vary. Not available in all areas. with $10/month eligible Auto Pay & Paperless Bill. Wired connection. WiFi speeds may vary. Not available in all areas. View Plan	$25/mo with $10/month eligible Auto Pay & Paperless Bill. Wired connection. WiFi speeds may vary. Not available in all areas. with $10/month eligible Auto Pay & Paperless Bill. Wired connection. WiFi speeds may vary. Not available in all areas.	View Plan
#2	Frontier	Frontier Fiber 500 Internet Fiber 500/500 Mbps Unlimited Data $29.99/mo with AutoPay with AutoPay View Plan	$29.99/mo with AutoPay with AutoPay	View Plan
#3	Verizon Fios	Verizon Fios myPlan + 300 Mbps Fiber 300/300 Mbps Unlimited Data $34.99/mo with AutoPay and any Verizon mobile phone plan + $99 Upfront with AutoPay and any Verizon mobile phone plan View Plan	$34.99/mo with AutoPay and any Verizon mobile phone plan + $99 Upfront with AutoPay and any Verizon mobile phone plan	View Plan
#4	AT&T	AT&T Internet 300 (Fiber 300Mbps) Fiber 300/300 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Get up to $32/mo savings off your internet bill for the first 12 months. $35/mo Price after Autopay & Paperless bill discount. Plus taxes & fees. Limited availability. May not be available in your area. Price after Autopay & Paperless bill discount. Plus taxes & fees. Limited availability. May not be available in your area. View Plan	$35/mo Price after Autopay & Paperless bill discount. Plus taxes & fees. Limited availability. May not be available in your area. Price after Autopay & Paperless bill discount. Plus taxes & fees. Limited availability. May not be available in your area.	View Plan
#5	Xfinity	Xfinity 300 Mbps Cable 300/35 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Get simple, seamless WiFi with 99% reliability. $40/mo for 5 years. No contracts, no data caps + equipment included. $40/mo 5 year price guarantee 5 year price guarantee View Plan	$40/mo 5 year price guarantee 5 year price guarantee	View Plan
#6	Spectrum	Spectrum Internet Advantage Cable 100/10 Mbps Unlimited Data $40/mo ($30 plan + $10 modem) for 1 year + $20 Upfront for 1 year View Plan	$40/mo ($30 plan + $10 modem) for 1 year + $20 Upfront for 1 year	View Plan
#7	EarthLink	EarthLink 500 Mbps Fiber 500/10 Mbps Unlimited Data $49.90/mo ($34.95 plan + $14.95 modem) for the first 3 months, then $54.95/month + $24.95 Upfront for the first 3 months, then $54.95/month View Plan	$49.90/mo ($34.95 plan + $14.95 modem) for the first 3 months, then $54.95/month + $24.95 Upfront for the first 3 months, then $54.95/month	View Plan
#8	CenturyLink	CenturyLink Simply Unlimited 140 Mbps VDSL 140/20 Mbps Unlimited Data $55/mo Available in select locations. Paperless billing required. Available in select locations. Paperless billing required. View Plan	$55/mo Available in select locations. Paperless billing required. Available in select locations. Paperless billing required.	View Plan
#9	Cox	Cox Go Fast Fiber 300/25 Mbps 1280GB Data $55/mo for 24 months. Available in select locations for 24 months. Available in select locations View Plan	$55/mo for 24 months. Available in select locations for 24 months. Available in select locations	View Plan
#10	GFiber	GFiber Core 1 Gig Fiber 1000/1000 Mbps Unlimited Data $70/mo Available in select locations Available in select locations View Plan	$70/mo Available in select locations Available in select locations	View Plan

Often, satellite internet providers, like Viasat and HughesNet, require professional tech installation. This is because the tech must make very specific adjustments and alignments to your satellite dish in order for your internet to work.

How to Self-Install Your Internet

Once you’ve confirmed that your preferred internet provider offers self-installation, there are a few simple steps to follow to get your internet service up and running.

1. Make Sure Your Address Is Eligible

Your internet service must be eligible for self-installation in order for you to take advantage of this method. Why? For one, some types of internet connection may not be available where you live, like fiber internet. Google Fiber, for example, offers self-installation to homes in specific cities, and only if you’re purchasing either an internet-only plan or setting up fiber phone service.

Another reason you may be required to have a tech install is if your address has never been serviced by your chosen internet provider in the past or hasn’t been serviced by that provider within a certain period of time (often 12 months). In these cases, a technician will usually need to fully install a cable line to wire your home, or minimally check that the existing line is still in good working order and fitted properly to your home.

If you order your internet online, once you enter your service address, most providers will tell you whether or not that address is eligible for self-installation. You can also talk to a rep by phone or chat to find out.

2. Order a Self-Installation Kit

After checking your address’s eligibility, you’ll need to opt for self-installation when selecting your internet plan. Most internet companies will provide a self-installation kit that includes most (if not all) of your required equipment. These are items such as:

A router
A modem
Coaxial cables
Ethernet cables
Printed instructions (or access to online instructions)

If you order your internet service online, you should be able to check a box to receive the self-installation kit. If you choose to order by phone, make sure you tell the representative that you wish to self-install—sometimes, they won’t offer it to you automatically.

3. Follow the Provided Instructions

Once your kit arrives, look for the included instruction kit. Many companies also put their self-installation instructions online, and some even offer video walkthroughs to make it as easy as possible. Either way, you should be able to follow along and get your equipment set up in no time.

Though specific instructions differ between providers, usually the steps to self-install your internet follow the below process:

Connect your modem to the coaxial cord in your wall.
Plug the modem into your power outlet.
Use an ethernet cable to connect your router to the modem.
Plug the router into your power outlet.
Wait for your modem and router to turn on. This may take a few minutes until you see all the relevant lights flashing on your equipment.
Activate your service by calling your internet provider, using their mobile app, or accessing an activation page on your smartphone.

Pros and Cons of Self-Installing Your Internet

Pros

No install fee
Easy to do
Lower health risk

Cons

No professional help
Requires some technical knowledge
Some homes may not be eligible

Pros of Self-Installation

It’s cheaper. You’ll need to pay an extra installation or service fee to have a professional technician set up your internet for you. By doing it yourself, you keep those extra dollars in your bank account!
It’s pretty simple to do. Sure, it’s nice to have someone else handle the nitty-gritty while you sit back and relax. But self-installing your internet is actually easier than you might think. As long as you have the right equipment and you follow along with the directions, it should be as easy as plugging in and turning on.
It’s sometimes safer. Especially following the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus, having extra people (especially strangers) in your home could pose a potential health risk to vulnerable family members. Handling your own internet installation helps prevent unknown germs from entering your home. It may or may not make a huge difference, but even the smallest effort helps!

Cons of Self-Installation

You won’t have professional help on-site. If you run into an issue when setting up your own internet, you’ll have a harder time getting it solved on the spot, and you may end up needing a tech to come out anyway.
You’ll need at least a little bit of technical knowledge. Most self-installation guides are written pretty clearly, but if you don’t know a modem from a router, you might find yourself in over your head… and on hold with your provider’s customer support department.
Your home may not be prewired for internet. This is especially true if your house is a newer build that hasn’t yet had internet service… ever. In these cases, it’s best for a professional to come out, drill the required holes, and run the necessary lines to your home.

Choosing the Right Internet Provider

If self-installing your internet is a deal-breaker for you, make sure you pick an internet provider that not only offers it as an option, but also makes the process easy and clear. And most of all, you’ll want to find a company that offers fast, reliable internet plans in your specific location—whether your best option is cable, fiber, or satellite internet access. Jump over to WhistleOut’s internet comparison tool to search through plans from all of the major U.S. internet providers.

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Lauren Hannula

Managing Editor

Lauren is WhistleOut's Managing Editor. With over 14 years of digital writing and publishing experience, she's developed a passion for breaking down overly complex topics to offer easy, affordable solutions that help make the most of the tech you already have in your pocket. Her work has appeared in industry stalwarts such as CNET, Yahoo! News, and Forbes.

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