Every month, there are too many expenses to cover. And with inflation, everything is costing a bit too much—food, fuel, internet, etc. We don’t know about the rest, but the internet; we know. This is why we’ve brought you eight useful ways to lower your internet bill successfully.
Keep reading to learn how to collect valid data and negotiate with your provider.
Interact, Inquire, Investigate
The first step of any process is to research. Strike up conversations with your neighbor, call a relative, ask a friend, and see the rants on forums. There are endless ways to investigate a provider without talking to them.
We are lucky to be alive in a time when people share both negative and positive experiences to prepare others. Take advantage and find out as much as you can about what being associated with a certain provider can do. Online discussion sites and consumer reports are your best bet because they’re candid, unhinged, and thoroughly entertaining when it comes to honest feedback.
Your Equipment, Your Choice
New internet means new equipment, or does it? Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to buy a new router, modem, or other devices if you have your old equipment already. Internet providers allow you to rent equipment and that’s some additional numbers on your bill. So, a better idea is to save yourself from the monthly torture and get your own equipment.
It’s a one-time, reasonable investment.
Less Speed, Less Price
According to a recent survey based on 2500 US adults, the average internet costs have reached around $100. This amount was somewhere close to $80 previously. However, a lot of factors can play into this. A very underrated one is speed and usage. If you’ve taken a speed test before, you know that the number is never consistent, so you may get less than you bargained for. Keeping that in mind, assess your usage, what you do, how long you do it for, etc. The idea is to understand what needs high-speed connection and what doesn’t. If you have less than 3 devices and need internet for remote work, studying, or less intensive activities, a low to medium speed can work best.
Remember, the faster the internet, the costlier it will be. So instead of minimizing your usage, just choose one that matches your requirements.
Watch Out for Fees
There are many kinds of additional costs you can expect to pay on top of your monthly internet bill. Some of these include:
| Charges | Features | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Data Limits | If you exceed the assigned limit, the charges will be added to the next bill. | Avoidable |
| Installation | Professional installation that requires tech assistance for the set-up. | Avoidable |
| Equipment | Monthly rental equipment that isn’t yours to begin with will be taken away if you unsubscribe. | Avoidable |
| Cancellation | If you cancel or terminate before the assigned duration, you will have to pay extra. | Unavoidable |
| Late Payment | Even a day late payment means a considerable chunk in your next bill. | Unavoidable |
| Price Changes | Another valid fee that you can’t avoid as the provider's policies may change. | Unavoidable |
| Contracts | After at least a year of paying, you can expect some providers to revert to the original prices. | Unavoidable |
In the above table; the statuses have been used to highlight prices that are optional or mandatory. Therefore, you must choose a provider that discloses charges and additional fees.
Bundle Up
Only do this if you have more than one service in mind like Internet, TV, phone, home security, voice, etc. You can find many internet providers in the country that have economical bundles. Usually combining two or more services allows you to save money. Not only does this give you a little leverage as a customer but also ensures more savings.
Apply for Promos and Discount Programs
Some popular providers like Spectrum and Xfinity have extensive discounts and income-driven programs to facilitate customers. Apart from seasonal offers, you can avail student discounts, device-oriented plans, and government-approved professional discounts. There are also exclusive business internet plans that employers can refer to for a thorough and accessible service.
Use the Right Keywords
There are online terms you can use to search for offers, this may include words like:
If you know what you’re looking for, researching with specific keywords can help narrow down the search and bring relevant results.
Negotiate Persistently with Customer Support
Let’s say you have enough data to debate with your provider’s customer support, how can you use it? The first tip is to be persistent and patient. Do not misbehave, but rather engage formally. Tell them your findings in a way that suggests you have better options and may consider switching to another provider. Naturally, they’ll share the available offers that may suit your criteria. The idea is to walk a fine line between haggling and negotiating.
And that’s it for now! We hope you can tackle your hefty internet costs with our useful guide. All these techniques are practical and can benefit you in the long run!
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my internet bill so high?
There are many factors responsible for this like additional fees, high speed, provider policies, etc.
How can I make my internet more affordable?
You can try a bunch of things like lowering your internet speed, getting personal equipment, bundling, applying for specific discount programs, etc.
Is there a way to get free internet?
Although risky, free public WiFi and mobile hotspots can help. You can also apply for low-income programs that can reduce your internet bill by a good amount.