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From comparing the best internet providers in your area to understanding your actual speed needs, we’ve spent years here at CNET covering the best ways to lower the cost of home internet. But how did our internet bills get so high in the first place?
It wasn’t an accident, that’s for sure. According to a recent CNET survey, over 63% of adults in the US saw their internet prices increase year over year. That’s what happens when the wide majority of plans come with a flashy promotional rate packed with fine print designed to balloon your bill in the long run.
Internet service providers don’t always make it easy to avoid unpleasant billing surprises like those, but we can help. Keep reading for a full guide to common home internet pricing traps and the best ways to shield your budget from them.
This article was made possible in part by Xfinity. It was written and edited independently without partner oversight.
So… your internet bill doubled
Most of us have moved into a new home and needed to set up a fresh internet connection. Here’s how it usually goes: You try signing up online, but after a few clicks, you’re directed to give the company a call instead. So, you hop on the phone with a plan in mind, but pretty soon, the customer service representative starts selling you on a faster plan.
The pitch sounds pretty good – zippy speeds, maybe a free streaming subscription or two to go with them and, to top it all off, a discounted promotional rate on your monthly bill. You decide to go for it. Boom, your home internet is taken care of, your speeds are nice and fast, and you think you scored a sweet deal in the process. Wrong.
A year passes, and you notice your monthly bill has doubled in price. Sound familiar?
You call your internet provider, and the voice on the other end explains that your price increased because your promotional rate expired. So now, you’ll be paying a higher rate. Oh, and remember those free streaming services that were bundled in? Those were only included during the promotional period. At this point, the customer service rep might even try to offer you another promotional plan – for one year – followed by yet another, even bigger price increase.
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