How should students find the right internet provider for off-campus housing?

Most colleges provide internet for students living in dorms, but if you’re living off-campus, you may need to supply your own internet service.

Choosing the right provider and internet speed for your needs at your off-campus property is an important part of your education. We’ll review everything you need to know about off-campus internet, from choosing your ISP to setting up your internet service. 

What should students consider when shopping internet providers?

Some off-campus properties may offer internet service as part of your utilities, so make sure to look into this before you move in.

If your property does not offer Wi-Fi as part of your utilities, then you need to find an ISP available at your address. Check your address and find ISPs available at your specific location. 

Internet speed

Internet speed is one of the most important things to consider when choosing your ISP. Think about what you’ll be using your internet for at school. 

Are your classes online? If so, you must ensure you have enough speed to support video calling. Do you have multiple roommates? This means you’ll need more speed since many devices will be connected to your network simultaneously. Also consider non-school related activities such as streaming, social media, web browsing, online shopping, etc. 

Check out our internet speed guide to find out the right internet speed for you. 

Student internet pricing and deals 

You may be able to take advantage of student deals from some ISPs. Check with the available ISPs in your area to see if they offer any student discounts that could lower your monthly bill. Some big providers like Xfinity and Frontier offer deals specific to students, but if you can’t find any student deals, many providers offer affordable internet options and promotional deals.

Tech types

When choosing an ISP, you’ll potentially have different internet technology types to choose from, such as cable, fiber, 5G home internet or satellite internet. 

Fiber internet: Fiber is the fastest internet available but costs more than the other tech types. If your property is optimized for fiber internet, it’s worth considering, especially if you’re going to be splitting the cost with roommates. Some popular fiber internet providers include AT&T, Verizon Fios and Frontier. 

Cable: Cable internet is the most common internet tech type and will likely be available at your property. While fiber is the best internet option in terms of sheer speed, you’ll get more than enough internet speed from a cable provider. Some common cable ISPs include Xfinity, Spectrum, and Cox.

5G home internet: 5G is one of the newer technology types on the market, but is becoming popular due to its simple pricing and availability. 5G is a type of fixed wireless internet, so your speed will depend on your proximity to a 5G tower, but some providers offer speeds as high as 1,000 Mbps. Some popular 5G home internet providers include T-Mobile, Verizon 5G and Starry. 

Satellite: Satellite internet is the most widely available but also one of the slowest internet technologies. This is an unlikely option for off-campus living since it involves the installation of expensive equipment, but if your property is already equipped with satellite internet, you’ll likely have availability from either HughesNet or Viasat. 

Roommates

Roommates are a common possibility when living off-campus, so it’s important to consider how they factor into your internet service. You’ll need one person to be the main account holder on your internet service account, and this person will likely handle the billing and other communication between you and your ISP. 

Since one person is the account holder, one person will handle the monthly bills, so make sure this is clear between everyone living in your off-campus property so you can work out payment details. 

Internet options available for off-campus students

Not all internet providers and types are available at all addresses. If your neighbor has Frontier fiber, that does not mean that your home will also have it available. That’s why we ask for your address so we can provide you with a customized list of services available at your specific address.

Major ISPs like Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile have the most availability across the country, mainly due to their 5G home internet services. Below are some of the larger ISPs and where they service:

*Verizon Fios: Taxes & terms may apply. Verizon mobile plan, Auto Pay & paper-free billing required. Add’l. cost without mobile plan. Subj. to credit approval & may require a deposit. Fios avail. in select areas. Wired speeds advertised. Wireless speeds may vary due to device limits, multiple users, network & other factors. See Verizon.com/yourspeed for more info. © 2024 Verizon.

Other things to consider with off-campus internet

Once you’ve chosen your ISP, there are a few things to consider: how to set it up and troubleshoot any issues. You’ll have two options to set up your internet connection, self-installation or professional installation. 

Most ISPs offer an easy self-installation process and send you everything you need from equipment to step-by-step instructions to set up your internet service. Instructions may vary based on the provider you choose, but the general steps include: 

1. Connecting your ISP’s cable to your modem
2. Connecting the Ethernet cable from your modem and plug it into your router
3. Plug in the power cords to both devices and turn them on
4. Set up your Wi-Fi through the ISP’s app or website
5. Test your internet connection

As we mentioned above, instructions may vary depending on your ISP, but these are the general steps on how to set up your equipment. Your ISP will likely have you download an app that will walk you through the process. 

If you choose professional installation, then schedule an appointment with your ISP and they will send someone out to take care of everything. Just keep in mind that this will be more expensive than self-installing your internet.  

Securing your internet connection

You’ve set up your internet connection and tested it—great! Now, it’s time to make sure your network is secure.  

Internet security is important in any situation, and since you’ll be using your internet every day for school, you’ll want to avoid any security risks. 

You can start by securing your router. You can do this by changing the name of your network – the default name could reveal information about your router and network. You’ll also want to secure your network with a strong password. This will minimize the risk of hackers breaking into your network.

VPNs and firewalls are also great options for third-party protection. A VPN sets up an encrypted, secure channel between your device and server, adding another layer of protection to your network. Both free and paid options are available, so check out our list of the best VPNs. 

You can also opt for a firewall. Some ISPs offer firewall protection within their equipment, but you can also get a hardware firewall. This will essentially monitor all internet traffic coming to your devices. 

Troubleshooting common internet issues 

Now that you have a secure internet connection, here are some basic tips for troubleshooting common internet issues to keep in mind: 

1. Reboot your equipment: Sometimes, fixing your internet issues is as easy as turning your equipment off and on again. 
2. Reset your network: You can reset your network in your computer settings. 
3. Check for an outage in your area: Sometimes ISPs experience outages. Use a website like Down Detector or contact your ISP. 
4. Change the position of your equipment: Your router may be in a bad spot, and its signal can’t reach your devices. Make sure your router is in a central location relative to your devices. 

Wrapping up off-campus internet

Moving into off-campus housing means you’ll likely have to set up your internet service yourself, but once you find ISPs in your area, order your service and follow self-installation instructions (or schedule professional installation) and you’re good to go. Remember to check for student discounts and account for factors such as roommates and internet technology types before choosing your ISP.