Setting Up Utilities
Depending on your housing situation, you may have to set up the following utilities. You may decide some are unnecessary, and some may be automatically set up by your landlord or association.
Electricity
Electricity as a utility in the state of Texas is deregulated; this means you have the choice of electricity provider. You can go to Power to Choose to learn more about the implications of a deregulated market or view a video on this subject at Save on Energy. You can also see what providers supply electricity to your area and who offers a better rate. Generally, if you are going to stay in the same house for 6/12 months; is preferable to go for a fixed-rate plan. Fixed-rate plans offer you protection against unexpected price increases in electricity.
Gas
Water
Telephone (Residential and Mobile)
A host of providers are available in the telecom market. For residential lines, AT&T and Comcast are the leaders in the Houston area. AT&T, T-mobile, Sprint, and Verizon are the leaders in the cellular phone business. You can get some really fancy handsets if you sign a 2-year contract with the providers. For a new student, these providers might require a security deposit since for a first-time visitor to the USA; you wouldn’t have a credit history. You can either choose to pay the deposit, which gets refunded in 6 months/1 year after you sign the contract OR you may ask a friend to get you a line.
Internet
As with residential telephones; AT&T and Comcast are the leaders in this business. You require a good credit history to start a contract with these companies. So, if they refuse; ask a friend for help.
Television
Again, AT&T and Comcast dominate this business. One good idea; if you plan on getting Internet and Television OR a Residential phone, Internet and Television would be to look for bundles that help you get good discounts.