How Much Should My Internet Cost Per Month

The internet is one of the most important utilities in today’s world and has turned it into a global village. Everything from shopping, to work, to entertainment, is now at your fingertips − a few clicks away from unraveling a completely new world. In such times, living without the internet is really an unviable idea. However, it is important that you pay exactly what it’s worth.

In this article, we talk about what your internet cost should be like and all the little perks it can come with. So stick around, read through, and let us address all your concerns here!

What Factors Decide Your Internet Price?

While the broadband market is saturated with internet providers of all kinds, the type of service you choose to get is entirely your call. Hence, what you pay for the internet is contingent on your use case. Do you perhaps require a very fast internet plan? Or one with no contracts so you can rest and breathe freely? It all depends on what you want to go with.

However, with so many providers and plans on the market, things can get a little confusing. To make that a little simpler for you, here is a list of all the factors that can help decide your internet plan and pricing.

How Much Does Internet Cost Per Month?

Despite the rising inflation, internet services seem to be offering more value than ever before. According to the Broadband Pricing Index Report of 2022, the average internet cost has dropped by 14.7% from 2021. This means that internet services now offer greater value for a lower cost, which definitely feels like a breath of fresh air in these harsh economic times.

There really is no one answer to this question. Depending on where you live and your provider of choice, internet prices can vary quite a bit. Let us take a look at some of the most popular broadband internet providers and what prices you should expect to pay with each one.

Installation, Equipment, and Other Additional Charges

When you plan to get an internet service, you do have to understand that there are other costs attached to it as well. Things such as installation, equipment, early termination fee (ETF), and other additional charges come as part and parcel of the service and can’t be ignored. Here is a quick outlook of what extra charges you should expect to pay with your internet plan.

A. Installation Fees
While some providers may offer it for free, professional installation usually comes with a price tag. Professional installation outlay can go up well over $100 in parts of the U.S., depending on your provider. Installation is definitely a cost you should factor in. Fortunately, most providers today offer free self-install options if your home is already wired for the service. You set up the service yourself with instructions from a manual and pay nothing for it. Sometimes self-install can come with an activation fee, but that is usually small.

B. Equipment Fees
Getting an internet service leaves you with two choices. You can either purchase the provider’s equipment and use it or rent it for the length of your service. If you rent or lease the equipment, you may be subject to a rental fee. Some providers such as Spectrum and AT&T offer free equipment, which is perfect if you are looking to save a little on equipment rentals.

C. Data Overage Charges
Some providers still offer capped internet plans – those that come with a limit. Although the data allowance is usually quite generous, you do have to be mindful of going over the limit as an overage fee is applicable. All providers have different ways of processing data overage fees but most ISPs charge about $10 for each 50 GB block of extra data used. If you have a household that has great data needs, it is best to go with an unlimited data plan.

D. Early Termination Fee (ETF)
Signing a contract with a provider means that if you do not serve the term of the contract, you may be subject to an ETF. This can be quite overwhelming, especially if you do decide to opt out of the service early in your contract. To avoid incurring these charges, it is best to either stay with your current provider until the contract ends or get a plan with no contract. Contract-free plans are usually available and are priced higher than plans that come with a contract.

However, some providers offer all their plans without a contract, which means you can cancel the service at any time without consequences. To learn of the best contract-free plans in your area, reach out to our customer service at 855-349-9328.

E. Price Hike
Some providers offer their plans at significantly low rates during the promotional period of their internet service. This usually lasts a year, but depending on your ISP it can be different. However, it is best to thoroughly read the fine print because most plans with promotional pricing do come with a price hike once the period ends. This too can add more cost to your plan in the long-term than you had originally planned and is something you should know about.

Tips & Tricks to Lower Your Internet Bill

Now that you know everything about internet costs and all the extra charges that can haunt you, we do have tips to lower your internet bill. So check these out and see which ones of them work out for you.

1. Apply for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP): According to the FCC’s ACP, low-income families can now connect to the internet at reduced prices. According to this, a discount of up to $30 per month is given towards internet services to eligible households. There are criteria that have to be met for the ACP, but it is a great way for households with low income to connect to high-speed internet as needed. Check if you qualify for the Affordable Connectivity Program or learn more about the service.
2. Purchase Plans during Promotions: Almost every internet service provider is running a promotion at one time or another, especially during the holiday season. Look into the plans available in your area and compare the best prices and offers before deciding on a plan.
3. Buy Your Own Internet Equipment: Are you team renting or buying internet equipment? Renting seems like a simple idea but the renting payments can pile up over time and lead to it being more expensive. Whereas, buying your own internet equipment can set you back a few hundred dollars initially, but does save money in the longer run. Hence, it is always a better idea to buy your internet equipment on your own. Check out our list of some of the best Wi-Fi routers this season!
4. Choose an Unlimited and Contract-Free Internet Plan: To make sure you do not get into a web of paying scary additional charges it is best to go with an unlimited data plan without contracts. This saves you the hassle of worrying about anything and many providers actually have plans that you would love.

Conclusion

Deciding what you want to pay for the internet is something that should entirely be your decision. However, there are some things that you ought to know before you sign up for a plan. This includes internet bandwidth, data allowance, contracts, additional charges, and other such information.

Finally, each household is unique as are the needs of families. For smaller families, a starter or mid-tier speed plan may serve the needs; whereas, for larger families, 400 Mbps or higher is recommended. All you have to do is research your options and decide what works best for your home.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who has the cheapest internet?

Cheap internet is a very relative term and doesn’t always mean the best value for your money. However, Xfinity is one of the few providers that actually offer some of the cheapest internet plans starting at $19.99 per month in select areas. Depending on where you live, you might be able to enjoy Xfinity internet at very affordable rates. To learn more, reach out at 855-349-9328.

Which internet service provider has the fastest internet speed?

Most of the providers in the U.S. offer gig internet speeds. However, if you are looking for the fastest available speeds, AT&T Fiber offers an internet plan with 5 Gbps of internet speed, in some areas. It is more than enough if you have a household with multiple uses such as streaming, video calling, gaming, etc. And it comes with unlimited data to ensure that you can do whatever you love. To learn more, call 855-349-9328.