If you spend part of the year in Southwest Florida and part up north, paying a full internet bill 12 months a year for a home you’re in for six makes no sense. Here’s the smarter way to handle it.
The snowbird internet problem
Most national providers treat your account like you live here full-time. So you either:
- Keep paying full price for months the house sits empty, or
- Cancel every spring and re-sign every fall — losing your setup, scheduling a new install, and sometimes paying new-customer fees.
Neither is great. There’s a better option.
How a seasonal hold works
ETHX offers a Vacation Hold built for part-time residents:
- Before you leave, call and put your account on hold.
- While you’re away, you pay just $10/month (up to 7 months per year) to keep your equipment installed and your account ready.
- When you return, one phone call reactivates full service. No reinstall, no new-customer runaround.
Over a season, that small hold fee is far less than a full bill — and far less hassle than canceling and re-signing.
Why this beats cancel-and-resubscribe
- No reinstall. Your equipment and configuration stay ready.
- No new-customer pricing games. You keep your account.
- One call back on. Land, call, and you’re online — often the same day.
Set it up before you head north
The time to arrange a hold is before you leave, not after the bill shows up. Call or text ETHX at 239-689-1000 and we’ll set your account up so next season is a one-call reconnect.
Locally owned, built for Southwest Florida — including the folks who are only here for the good months.
Related guides: No-Contract Internet in SWFL · Moving to Southwest Florida
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to pay for internet year-round if I'm a snowbird?
No. With ETHX you can put your service on a seasonal Vacation Hold for just $10/month (up to 7 months per year) while you're up north, instead of paying a full bill for months you're not here. Your equipment stays installed and ready to reactivate when you return.
How does a seasonal internet hold work?
Before you leave, you call and switch your account to a hold. You pay a small monthly fee to keep your spot and equipment active, and when you come back one call brings your full service back — no reinstall and no new-customer setup.
Can I just cancel and re-sign up each season?
You can, but it usually costs more and is a hassle: you may lose your equipment setup, face new-connection scheduling, and sometimes new-customer pricing. A seasonal hold is cheaper over time and far less work.
Is seasonal internet available in Cape Coral and Fort Myers?
Yes — ETHX serves Cape Coral, Fort Myers, North Fort Myers and surrounding Lee and Charlotte County communities, and the seasonal Vacation Hold is built for exactly this part-time-resident situation. Call 239-689-1000 before you head north.
See if ETHX is available at your address.
Locally owned internet for Southwest Florida — no contracts, no data caps, real local support.