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Step 1
Decide what kind of Internet service you want. There are two main kinds of broadband internet service, DSL and cable. DSL is less expensive than cable, but its quality can vary depending on your location and can produce less-than high speed if your home is located too far from the DSL central office (the source of the signal.) Cable, on the other hand, is more expensive, but is generally faster and has more consistent download and upload speeds.
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Step 2
Find out what ISPs offer broadband service in your area. You can use the local Yellow Pages and look under the "Cable" and "DSL" categories, or if you want to do some Internet research you can check out The ISP Guide (see Resources below) for a comprehensive list of ISPs that serve your area code.
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Step 3
Do your research. Narrow your search down to four or five ISPs and research them. Look for consumer reports, testimonials or fraud alerts on the Internet associated with these companies. Sites such as "Consumer Reports," the Better Business Bureau and The Consumerist are invaluable resources when doing research on companies.
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Step 4
Purchase service and order installation. Once you figure out which ISP you want to go with, let them know you intend to purchase service and order installation of the new service. Depending on your home's wiring, your installation fees will vary, so make sure to be specific about your home and ask what you can expect to pay for the installation before confirming that you want to order the service. Some companies also offer free estimates, so make sure you ask about that as well.
