It’s Time to Break Up With Your Provider. Here’s How to Cancel Your Internet Service
This story is part of Home Tips, CNET’s collection of practical advice for getting the most out of your home, inside and out.
Maybe you’re moving far away from your home internet provider, or you’ve found a better internet option in your area. Or maybe you your current provider’s service isn’t working for you and it’s simply a matter of “it’s not you, it’s me.” Actually, that’s not true. Most Americans can’t stand their internet provider — it is totally them.
When that time comes, don’t fret. Canceling your internet service should be fairly simple. It’s even acceptable to break up with your ISP over the phone.
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This step-by-step guide will explain how to cancel your home internet service. Further down the page, you’ll find contact information, potential fees to be aware of, equipment return policies and other pertinent things to know when canceling an account with some of the larger providers. For more, check out our tips for how to speed up your Wi-Fi and our picks for the best major internet providers in the US.
How to cancel your home internet service
There are five steps you’ll need to follow:
1. Shop your internet options.
2. Plan for your cancellation.
3. Set up new service.
4. Call to cancel.
5. Return all equipment.
Simple enough, right? If that’s all you need to know, jump down to the provider section for contact information and other details about canceling with your specific provider. Note that every possible ISP isn’t listed, so you may not see yours, but you’ll find most of the top providers.
Meanwhile, if you need more clarification on each