Set Up Your Internet (2024)

FAQs

Set Up Your Internet? ›

Self-installation allows you to set up your connection on your own time without having to wait around for a technician. You may have to wait for the self-install kit to arrive in the mail, but once you've got it, you can usually get right to setting up your service on your own schedule. Fewer health risks of exposure.

Self-installation allows you to set up your connection on your own time without having to wait around for a technician. You may have to wait for the self-install kit to arrive in the mail, but once you've got it, you can usually get right to setting up your service on your own schedule. Fewer health risks of exposure.

Telephone line, modem, computer, and an ISP.

During the appointment, the technician will install a small utility box called an optical network terminal (or ONT) outside or inside your home. The tech will then run a cable from a nearby equipment box to the ONT, which will carry the fiber-optic connection from the larger network to your premises.

There are three ingredients needed to access the Internet from a laptop or desktop computer: (1) an ISP, (2) a modem and (3) a Web browser.

To connect to the internet, all you require is a modem, a wireless router, a computer or smartphone, and an internet connection from an internet service provider.

To make a complicated concept simple, WiFi refers to a type of wireless connection, while the Internet is what WiFi connects to. You can't have WiFi without Internet, but you can access the Internet without WiFi—most commonly via a wired connection or by using cellular data.

Telephone, modem, computer and ISP are needed to connect to the network. The Computer is essential. The Modem is necessary if you are using a telephone line to access the Internet. It translates the language that computers talk into a language that can travel across the phone lines, and vice versa.

When Wi-Fi is connected but there's no internet access on a single device, the issue often lies with the device's network settings, a faulty Wi-Fi adapter, or outdated drivers. It could also be due to incorrect IP configuration or DNS cache problems specific to that device.

You can install internet by yourself if your home is wired properly for internet service and if your provider has a self-installation option available. Self-installation isn't always an option—some providers require a professional to install your internet service because of wiring issues and other complications.

Can I get internet with just Wi-Fi? ›

If you don't have (or want) a physical cable connecting your home to the internet, you can still connect with a wireless internet connection. There are tons of different options, including fixed wireless, 4G and 5G home internet, mobile hotspots, and satellite.

Connect to Wi-Fi by going to your network settings, turning on Wi-Fi, and selecting your network name. Connect to ethernet by using an ethernet cable to connect your computer to your router or modem. Connect to dial-up by plugging in your modem to the phone jack, then connecting the modem to your computer.

If you're considering getting your own internet service while there's already another different ISP in the house, this should generally be possible without causing conflicts between the services. However, the number of ISPs you can have is limited by the number of providers that serve your address.

Most Internet providers allow you to purchase your own modem and router separately, or a device that contains both—it's up to you. Both options connect you to the Internet.

Activate your new modem

At this point, most internet providers will require you to activate the new device using the information you collected in step 1. Some may require you to call them, others to visit an online activation page.