Key Takeaways
- US households spend an average of $116 per month on home internet—learn how to reduce this cost significantly.
- Unbundle services, negotiate with your provider, and reduce internet speed to lower your monthly bill.
- Enroll in autopay for discounts up to 30% and consider purchasing your own modem to eliminate rental fees.
- Compare ISPs carefully by checking availability, understanding your needs, and evaluating costs and customer service.
Recent Parks Associates research shows that US households spend an average of $116 per month, or a considerable sum of money, on home internet. Living without the Internet is challenging, whether you use it for remote work, streaming your favorite shows, web browsing, online gaming, or video chatting with relatives.
We comprehend. However, there might be a few ways to reduce your broadband costs so that your spending stays in check. This comprehensive guide provides 14 proven strategies to lower your internet bill and help you choose the best Internet Service Provider (ISP) for your needs.
From unbundling unnecessary services to negotiating better rates with your provider, these practical tips can help you save hundreds of dollars per year on your internet expenses while maintaining the connectivity you need.
How to Save Money on Internet Bill
If you want to lower your internet bill, there are several proven strategies you can implement. Here are 14 effective ways to reduce your broadband costs.
1Unbundle Your Services
Internet service providers enjoy bundling their products so that you will pay more overall. You can reduce your internet bill by separating those services and eliminating everything you don't need.
For instance, we often watch online videos and streaming TV rather than cable television. However, many individuals still add TV services to their internet plans out of habit. This can be a huge financial mistake. To save money, get rid of everything that is not necessary.
Potential Savings: $10 to $30 per month by removing unnecessary bundle services.
2Speak with Your Internet Service Provider
If you find it challenging to give up cable entirely, think about reducing the number of channels you can choose from. Call your internet service provider, especially if you're paying for channels you don't use, and let them know you're willing to cancel your subscription if they can't come up with a cheap TV and Internet package for you.
If you have a history of on-time payments, most of the time, they'll cooperate with you to keep your business.
3Cut Your Internet Speed
Internet bills can take a huge chunk of your income, and one idea to minimize the costs is reducing the speed. Most Internet providers charge the highest amounts for faster speeds, something you may only need in some cases.
10 Mbps download speed and 1 Mbps upload speed can be enough for work or home use without interruptions. Unless you're working on high data-consuming projects, you don't need the fastest Internet you can get.
💡 Tip: Test a lower speed tier for a month to see if it meets your needs before committing.
4Enroll in Autopay
"Most internet bills offer a discount for users who enroll in autopay. Sometimes these savings are significant, often up to 30% or more."
— Andrew Adamo, VP of Bullion Shark
Companies ensure they are receiving the payment and won't have to spend time or money sending reminders or doing outreach calls. This allows them to pass the savings on to their customers. It also prevents the customers from having to worry about remembering to pay their bills.
5Switch to a New Subscription Plan or Internet Provider
If you've been on the same internet plan for years, you might miss out on huge savings. Check out your internet provider's latest promos and plan offerings and see if you can change your current subscription.
"Alternatively, you can switch to a new internet provider that offers huge discounts to new customers, especially those that come from their direct competitors. Shop around and compare what you'll get and pay."
— Aidan Kang, CEO of House of Debt
Just avoid signing up for long-term contracts that will lock you in. Internet services are changing quite fast as technology develops.
6Learn About Your Monthly Internet Bill
To start saving money, you must understand what you are already paying. Go through your broadband bill to better understand what your current provider is billing.
Key Questions to Ask:
- • What download speed should you expect to get?
- • What is your data cap?
- • Do you usually pay overage charges or stick to that data cap?
Knowing how much you pay for data usage and internet speed is crucial when it comes time to bargain with your provider.
7Obtain Assistance From a Remote Employer
Organizations are standardizing internet stipends as the percentage of remote labor increases. Many companies with distributed workforces will pay all or part of their employees' internet expenses.
Finding a job that allows you to work from home can help you save money on your home internet bill because this benefit is relatively common in remote work. Even if you work in a hybrid workforce, you can persuade your company to pay a portion of your internet bill.
8Utilize Loyalty Incentives and Cash Back
Compare cash-back offers online and look into coupon discounts. Join reward programs to find affordable deals and loyalty benefits.
9Look for Free Internet Service
You may be eligible for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) if you receive benefits from programs like SNAP, Medicaid, or SSI.
Visit AffordableConnectivity.gov →10Watch for Promotions
Call your service provider when you see a promotion. If they won't offer it, their competition likely will, making it a good time to switch.
11Switch to Mobile Phones Only
Most people use their phones to connect to the Internet. You can get by with a mobile hotspot and eliminate your home internet bill completely.
12Purchase Your Own Modem
Stop paying rental fees by buying your own equipment. The initial cost is higher, but rental fees will eventually exceed the purchase price.
13Do a Speed Test
Use speedtest.net to test your internet speed, then compare the results to what was promised. Use this data to negotiate a lower bill.
14Reduce the Number of Devices
The more smart home appliances you have, the more bandwidth they use. Minimize device usage to avoid data overage fees.
How to Choose the Best Internet Service Providers (ISP)
Choosing the right internet service provider can save you money while ensuring you get the service you need. Here's how to pick the best provider to reduce your wifi bill.
1Find Out Which Service Providers Are in Your Area
Many internet service providers offer service all over the country, but that doesn't mean they're available in all zip codes. Find out which internet service providers serve your zip code before making the final decision.
Remember that prices can change from one place to another, so even if the internet connection you used before is accessible at your new residence, it may cost more. That means switching providers, even if it seems like a hassle now, could be the best option in the long run.
2Figure Out What You Need
How you choose an internet provider and plan should depend on what you want to do with the Internet. If you wish to surf the web and check your email, you don't need the fastest internet connection. You'll need to choose a high-speed internet plan to stream videos and/or play games online.
Keep in mind that the more people using the Internet simultaneously, the faster your connection will need to be. So, if you live in a busy, high-tech home, you should choose one of the faster internet options.
💡 Pro Tip: Find out if your provider has a data cap and if that cap is big enough for your monthly usage. Plans are often easy to change if you need more speed later.
3Look at the Costs
Now that you know what you need from the internet plan, use the information you've gathered to compare the prices of plans that meet your needs.
Consider All These Costs:
- • Monthly subscription fee
- • Equipment costs (modem and router)
- • Set-up and installation fees
- • Data overage charges
- • Early termination or cancelation fees
You could also consider combining your internet plan with your phone and/or TV plans. In the long run, this could cost you a lot less. Watch out for hidden fees, especially if you don't know much about the broadband service provider.
4Check Out the Extra Features
Some ISPs will give you a modem and router for free instead of making you buy new equipment. This could help you save a lot of money.
Common ISP Freebies:
- • Free modem and router
- • Online backup services
- • Sign-up bonuses
- • Personal website hosting
- • Antivirus program subscriptions
- • Access to wifi hotspots
If you were going to pay for these services anyway, it might be worth choosing an internet plan because it has special features.
5Find Out About Customer Service
Especially if you need the Internet for work, it's important to make sure the connection is reliable and that if something goes wrong, a good customer service team can get you back online quickly.
Try going to sites like DSLReports to read reviews of different providers. You can also find out about the customer service by calling the provider's number and talking to a representative about your assessment.
Important: Many providers' customer service and reliability can differ in different parts of the country. Focus your research on your specific zip code.
Conclusion
Internet is a must in this digital world. But it comes at a price. Use the aforementioned tips to combat price hikes and save money on your broadband bill.
From unbundling unnecessary services and negotiating with your provider to purchasing your own equipment and taking advantage of government assistance programs, these 14 strategies can help you significantly reduce your monthly internet expenses.
Remember to carefully evaluate ISPs based on availability, your specific needs, total costs, extra features, and customer service quality. Taking the time to make an informed decision can save you hundreds of dollars per year while ensuring you get the reliable internet service you need.
Struggling with High Monthly Bills?
Our financial counselors can help you reduce your monthly expenses, negotiate better rates with service providers, and create a budget that frees up money for what matters most.
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Loretta Kilday
Debt Relief Expert & Financial Counselor
Loretta Kilday is a DebtCC spokesperson and a financial expert specializing in debt relief and expense reduction strategies. With extensive experience in helping consumers navigate financial challenges, she provides practical advice on reducing monthly bills, negotiating with service providers, and achieving financial stability. Loretta is dedicated to empowering individuals with the knowledge and tools they need to take control of their finances.