We all know how frustrating it can be to reach a crucial moment in an episode of our favorite show and suddenly face the dreaded spinning wheel of signal buffering. Or the pain and embarrassment of being the person in an important Zoom meeting who keeps freezing up or dropping signal altogether. So why do we put up with the frustration, pain and sometimes even embarrassment of unreliable Internet service?

Change is difficult – very few people would dispute that. But switching Internet service might not be as difficult as people think. Here are some common reasons people give for not changing Internet service providers:

While these might seem like perfectly valid reasons to tolerate buffering video and dropped signals, switching is easier than you think!

Let’s break these down one “reason” at a time.

The installation process doesn’t have to be hard!

While some providers will schedule your install weeks from initially ordering, they’ll also give you an 8-hour window of time during which you have to sit at home and wait for your install technician to show up. There are others that understand the inconvenience of this and have better processes.

ImOn Communications, for example, can schedule your installation either the same day you place your order or the very next day, and provides a specific time the install technician will be at your home and how long it will take. Additionally, the install tech will contact you to let you know they’re on their way. If they are running early or late, they’ll contact you and give you the option to reschedule if it doesn’t work. Does that sound like too much of a hassle? Especially if it means faster, more reliable Internet is the reward? 

What happens if (when) something does go wrong?

Let’s face it, few of us have ever experienced flawless Internet service – one where the signal never slows, buffers, or even drops due to unforeseen circumstances. What you need to be sure of before switching providers is that you’re choosing a company that will respond quickly and thoroughly. And the good news is those companies do exist! Usually it’s better to get your service from a company with true local operations, because that means all their service technicians are located in your community and can respond quickly when there are problems. Look for claims on the company’s website that talk about average service repair times – you should expect repairs within a couple of days, not weeks!

Changing your email address should be the least of your worries!

Some people still use the email address their internet service provider gave them when they signed up for service. While it can seem like a big, scary hassle to change email addresses, there are free email services out there that make it simple. Take Google’s Gmail for example. Google offers step-by-step instructions for setting up an email account (free) and transferring old emails from your current account to your new Gmail account.

There is some effort involved in changing your email address. But that one-time effort doesn’t mean you should put up with dropped signals, buffering streaming or slow service response. And there is help available to get it done.

No need to get stuck in a contract.

Life is full of uncertainty. It’s not always easy to predict where you’ll be working, or even living, multiple years into the future. So why would you want to lock yourself into a multi-year contract with expensive early exit fees? The good news is you don’t have to. Most providers have moved away from locking new customers into actual contracts. At ImOn, you can lock in an introductory promotional price for two years without having to enter into a contract that includes expensive fees for exiting early. Check this (not-so-great) reason off your list!  

You can keep (or add!) the ACP discount!

The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is an FCC benefit program that helps ensure that households can afford the broadband they need for work, school, healthcare and more. There are many ways that a household can qualify for the program – if you haven’t checked your eligibility yet, you should! It’s easy to check at affordableconnectivity.gov. ImOn Communications is among the group of Internet providers that participates in this federal program.

Even if you are already enrolled in the program with one provider, switching Internet services does not mean you will lose your discount! And you don’t have to reapply or qualify. There is a simple transfer process that your new Internet provider will help you with once you sign up for their service.

Don’t put up with a frustrating Internet experience because you fear the process of switching. It’s likely easier than you think, and if you choose the right provider, there is ample help available to make it smooth, quick and easy.