Moving in Texas: checklist for electricity and home internet

By the BillAnswers team · Updated October 19, 2026 · How we check facts

For electricity, check on Power to Choose whether your new ZIP code has a choice of provider, compare plans by their Electricity Facts Labels, and agree on a start date. For internet, look up the exact address on the FCC National Broadband Map, read each available provider's broadband label, and ask each provider how far ahead you need to schedule installation. Tell your old electricity provider your forwarding address so you owe no early termination fee for moving.

The checklist at a glance

Electricity and internet are set up in different ways in Texas. Electricity choice is decided by ZIP code and the plan rules come from the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT). Internet availability is decided address by address, and each provider's plan facts are on its FCC broadband label. Work through both lists at the same time.

1. Get the full new address, including the unit number.
2. Electricity: check whether the ZIP code has a choice of provider on Power to Choose.
3. Internet: look up the exact address on the FCC National Broadband Map.
4. Electricity: compare plans by their Electricity Facts Labels (EFL) in the true-cost calculator.
5. Internet: read the broadband label of each plan you are considering.
6. Sign up for both and agree on start dates. Ask each internet provider how far ahead it needs to schedule an install.
7. Give your old electricity provider your move-out date and forwarding address in writing.

Timeline

No Texas or federal rule sets how many days ahead you must order either service, so this timeline lists steps in order, not deadlines. Ask each provider about its own timing.

Electricity steps

Check for choice. The PUCT says you can choose a provider if you live in the ERCOT region and are not served by an electric cooperative or a city-owned utility. Enter the new ZIP code on Power to Choose. If it shows no plans, the area may not be open to competition, and you contact the local utility directly.

Have this ready. For an online sign-up, the rule lists the service address, billing name and address, email, the ESI-ID if you have it, and one verification item: the last four digits of your Social Security number, your mother's maiden name, city or town of birth, month and day of birth, or a driver's license or government ID number (16 TAC 25.474(d)(10)).

Start date. The provider submits your request for the date you agree on, as the wires company's tariff allows, and must tell you the approximate start date and any known delays (16 TAC 25.474(k)). The 3-day right to cancel covers switches, not move-ins (16 TAC 25.474(j)).

Deposit. Prepaid electricity plans cannot require a security deposit (16 TAC 25.498). Customers 65 or older who are not behind on an electric account, and victims of family violence with a certification letter, can avoid a deposit with any provider (16 TAC 25.478(a)(4)).

Leaving your old address. If you move, you owe no early termination fee, as long as you give a forwarding address and, if asked, reasonable proof you moved (16 TAC 25.475(c)(2)(C)).

Full details are in how to set up electricity when you move.

Internet steps

1. Find who serves the exact address. On the FCC National Broadband Map, search your address. When you select the location point, the map shows which providers report offering service there, the type of service (fiber, cable, DSL, satellite or fixed wireless) and the maximum advertised download and upload speeds. The mobile map shows outdoor coverage, not indoor. The map does not show prices, so confirm availability on each provider's site.

2. Read the broadband label. Every provider must show an FCC broadband label for each standalone home internet plan at the point of sale, close to the advertised plan on its website (47 CFR 8.1(a)(2)). The label lists the monthly price, how long any introductory rate lasts and the price after it, monthly and one-time fees, contract length, and typical speeds. See how to read a broadband label.

3. Schedule the install or self-setup. Ask for the install date when you order. Some services are self-installed: T-Mobile says its 5G Home Internet sets up in about 15 minutes with a plug-in gateway, and Xfinity says its prepaid NOW Internet is self-installed. If a provider listed on the map for your address will not serve you, the FCC accepts an Availability Challenge for reasons that include a denied request for service or a failure to schedule an installation within 10 business days of a request.

4. Have this ready.

If you want to avoid a credit check or a contract, see internet with no credit check or contract.

Last updated: October 19, 2026