Internet Is Expensive. Here Are 8 Ways to Save on Your Internet Bill

We all need a reliable internet connection, but the monthly cost that comes with it can be a burden on the budget. While some internet providers are cheaper than others, you can still expect to pay a pretty penny for high-speed internet.

According to Parks Associates data from April 2022, US households spend an average of $116 a month on home internet, which is a significant chunk of change. Whether you use it for remote work, streaming your favorite shows, online gaming or video chatting with family, it's hard to live without the internet. We get it. But to keep your budget in check, there may be a few ways to lower your broadband costs and monthly bills. Here are eight suggestions:

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1. Examine your internet bill

Before you can find ways to save, you'll first need to know what you're currently paying. Read the bills from several previous months, and try to understand what your internet service provider is actually charging. What download speed are you supposed to receive? Do you have a data cap? If so, are you staying within that data limit, or do you typically incur overage fees? It's important to see how much you pay for internet speed and data usage. While you can't remove some fees, you'd be surprised at how many can be eliminated if you ask. So having this info at hand will be key when it's time to negotiate with your provider.

2. Check your speed needs

You want the fastest speed available, right? Some folks have access to a 25Gbps plan, for goodness sake! Let's be honest: While most of us like the idea of having the fastest internet speed available, we probably don't need it. A fast internet package is probably near the top of your priority list if you work from home and have others in the house (whether several roommates or a family). But that could still mean you can lean on a 500Mbps plan vs. jumping right to a full gigabit tier or even a multigigabit plan. 

But if it's just you and a roommate or spouse, or you're not working remotely and using your internet service for little more than email and checking a few sites, you may want to consider lowering your internet speed even more. Perhaps you can hop down from a 500Mbps plan to a 200Mbps tier. This could be an easy way to reduce your bill without impacting the quality of your internet experience.

3. Minimize devices, if you can

This is tough because our homes have become increasingly filled with connected devices, including smart TVs, phones, gaming consoles, voice assistants, smart thermostats, security cameras, smartwatches, etc. The more smart home gadgets you have, the more they'll consume your bandwidth. If you're the only one in your household, you can better wrangle these so they don't eat up your data cap (if you have one) or start to bring down your home's overall speed. Fewer devices mean you might avoid paying data overage fees and get more effective internet service.

On the other hand, this probably won't work if you have other people in your home -- like family or roommates -- and they all have multiple devices. It's one thing to ask your family or roommates to turn off (or minimize the usage of) their devices so you can stream a big game, but it's another to ask them to give them up altogether.

4. Explore low-cost internet options

Another potential way to reduce your spending on your home internet is to dig into what discount programs might be available. You should start your search with government programs to help eligible customers cut costs. That starts with Lifeline, a program that offers assistance to low-income households. You'll get just over $9 monthly off your broadband bill if you're eligible.

If you qualify for Lifeline, you'll also be eligible for the Affordable Connectivity Program, a government subsidy from the Federal Communications Commission that provides a discount of $30 a month off your internet service (and up to $75 monthly for households on Tribal lands).

Finally, while you can use the monies and discounts from those federal programs on any internet plan from the more than 1,600 participating ISPs, you can also couple those subsidies with providers' low-cost plans, almost all of which are $30 or less. That means you could get your home internet service for free. In the past, that might have meant paltry speeds of 10Mbps or less, but in 2022, many providers committed to offering low-cost plans with a minimum of 100Mbps download speed. That's a significant difference.

5. Research available competitors

Now that you know your internet speed, what you use it for and what you're paying to receive your home broadband, it's time to shop around. Many competitors are vying for your business. For example, T-Mobile and Verizon have aggressively entered the home internet space with their 5G home internet products. Other providers will happily give you an introductory rate less than you currently pay. Sometimes smaller, local ISPs can provide a better rate than the internet behemoths such as AT&T and Comcast Xfinity, but that's not always the case. Use our comparison shopping tool to research providers in your area.

Before signing up, get an idea of your monthly costs when you switch your internet service to a new provider. Compare what you're paying now to what you'll pay for the next month, six months and year. Along with that, what's the cost after the promo plan ends? Consider your long-term use as well. With the competitive landscape out there, try to avoid signing any long-term contracts unless you know for certain that you're getting the best possible rate at your address.

6. Consider using your own equipment

Some internet providers charge an extra monthly fee for renting a modem and router. Sometimes it's just an extra $5 per month, but some ISPs charge as much as $15 monthly. In the long run, it could prove cheaper to buy your own, which might even boost your speed and performance. My CNET colleague, Ry Crist, goes into further detail on saving by using your own modem and router.

7. Bundle your broadband 

Obviously, your internet connection isn't the only household service you pay for. You could pay less by bundling your internet with other services, such as your cellphone and cable TV plans. See if your provider offers discounted bundle packages. If you like the offer, signing up through the company's website is usually easy.

This is a good idea if you use what you buy. If you've cut the cord and are now a streaming household, buying a cable TV package might not be the best move.

8. Negotiate with your internet provider

You've reviewed your bill and checked your internet speed. You've counted how many devices you have and compared competing offers. Now you can negotiate with your current ISP and call them with confidence. 

This isn't always the easiest or most time-efficient step, but it's important. If you've had the same provider for a few years, it's more likely to work with you on lowering your bill. Many will ask the same questions: Can you lower your internet speed? Can you increase your internet speed (they'll often try to lure you to a higher speed by offering better promos and a better cost per Mbps)? Now you're equipped to better answer those questions.

Do your research on the competition. If you mention offers from competitors you've come across, your customer service rep may give you a deal to keep you a happy customer. Knowing about competing offers gives you an advantage: Your provider knows you can move on to another ISP if you don't like what you currently have or what's offered.

Ask your current provider if any promotions are available for new customers. If so, you would also like to receive them. If you haven't found a deal that works for your budget (or you've run into an inflexible sales agent), it's all right to end the call and try again later or plan to end service with that provider. 

Don't be afraid to cancel your service. It may take some time to close one account and open another, but saving a significant amount is worth it. Remember, though: It's not just about the promotion period. Otherwise, you may need to negotiate your bill this time next year when the promo rate is over.