Look for local ISPs by checking online directories or asking neighbors about their providers.
Look for local ISPs by checking online directories or asking neighbors about their providers.
I'm relocating to a new area and need reliable internet for my new home. Are there any detailed or specialized sites that show potential providers? It's funny how I work for a WISP, but the thick trees are blocking my view... I'm hoping to discover better options beyond typical ad listings. Thanks!
Websites like https://broadbandnow.com/search or https://www.highspeedinternet.com/providers allow you to look up ISPs by zip code for that region. It may not always be accurate, particularly regarding the reputation of some US providers who claim coverage for an entire neighborhood while only one home is connected. The safest approach is to choose a specific ISP and contact them directly to confirm availability in your area.
You can begin with the FCC's interactive map: https://broadbandmap.fcc.gov/ It isn't flawless—recently it corrected my address to reflect CenturyLink's fiber availability—but it's a solid starting point for identifying service providers in your region. I'd pull the provider list from that map, then verify each company's information to ensure accuracy.
Hopefully you can find a reliable provider like Time Warner or similar companies today. I used to enjoy them in North Carolina and never had any problems. Now I’m in California, and the only ISP there is Frontier, which is known for poor service. Prices keep rising, they charge for nothing, and everything seems to fail without notice. No matter what you try, stay away from Frontier.