Once a luxury, home internet services have now become a vital part of most American households. Not only does it give access to the entire digital world right from your couch but it doubles up as a great source of entertainment.
Since most of us now rely on the internet, it is no surprise to see multiple internet service providers, aka ISPs, in the market. When we talk of ISPs, one of the popular names that pops into one’s head is Spectrum.
For the uninitiated, Spectrum is a telecommunications and mass media company that provides internet, mobile, cable TV, and other services. Talking of the internet services alone, Spectrum serves over 32 million customers in over 41 states in the United States.
Spectrum offers two different Internet-only plans – Internet Premier ($50/month for 12 months) and Internet Gig ($70/month for 12 months). Both the plans offer up to 500 Mbps and up to 1 Gbps internet speed, respectively.
While Spectrumโs offering is considered one of the best value for money compared to other internet service providers, it might still be a stretch for some of you, especially when youโre on a tight budget. And, itโs no surprise you must have wondered how do I lower my monthly Spectrum internet bill. Well, if you want the overall internet cost to be reduced, there are some tips and tricks that might be handy for you.
In this guide, we’ll not only talk about how you can lower your monthly Spectrum internet bill, but also provide detailed insights about hidden fees that might be denting your wallet silently. So, without wasting further time, letโs jump right in.
Ways to Reduce Your Monthly Spectrum Internet Bill – Tried & Tested Tips
1. Understand Your Home Internet Usage
The first and foremost thing you should do to lower your monthly Spectrum internet bill is to assess your home internet usage. We always recommend you look for areas where you might be overpaying. Before you decide on choosing an internet plan from Spectrum, make sure to ask yourself why are you choosing it.
Are you considering Spectrumโs internet plan for browsing, gaming, downloading, or streaming? The next big question you should ask is — how often you use the internet when youโre home? When you have answers to these questions, you can now work to lower your monthly Spectrum internet bill.
Letโs understand that by an example. Suppose, you have subscribed to Spectrumโs Internet Gig plan that offers up to 1Gbps speed at $70 per month. Well, that’s more than enough internet speed for stable 4K gaming, streaming, browsing, and every other stuff. However, if none of your family is a gaming enthusiast and uses the internet just for browsing or video streaming. In that case, itโs ideal to choose with alternate 500Mbps plan that will save you $20 per month and yearly around $240.
Also read: 14 Fixes for Spectrum Internet Keeps Dropping
2. Check For Any Hidden Charges
Next up, you should review hidden charges or fees associated with your current plan. Thatโs because internet providers often add additional charges to the monthly bill which they may not tell you firsthand. These additional costs might include installation fees, service charges, etc.
If you spot such hidden fees in your monthly internet bill, make sure to contact the Spectrum support team and tell them your concerns. If it is possible to remove such fees, make sure to get rid of them as soon as possible. In addition, if you donโt understand a specific fee that keeps soaring your monthly Spectrum internet bill, it is advised to enquire about the same.
Itโs better to pay an additional charge after knowing all about it than doing it blindly. Who knows you might be just shelling out your hard-earned money for no reason at all. In short, staying aware of what exactly youโre paying for is vital to keep your Spectrum monthly internet bill in check.
3. Get a Third-Party Router to Avoid a Wi-Fi Service Charge on the Monthly Internet Bill
Generally, internet service providers (ISPs) add a Wi-Fi service charge as part of your monthly internet bill. This might include the rental or lease fee of the Wi-Fi router provided by them. This might result in an increased monthly internal bill.
However, Spectrum doesnโt charge for its modem, but it often adds a $5 Wi-Fi gateway fee as part of the โWi-Fi service feeโ in the invoice. You can check the same in the image attached below. If you are being charged similarly, you can simply buy a third-party router and lower your monthly Spectrum internet bill.
Also read: How to Reset Spectrum Router: Step-By-Step Guide
4. Bundle Multiple Services to Lower Your Monthly Spectrum Internet Bill
If you’re unaware, Spectrum lets you lower your monthly internet bill by bundling its TV and mobile services. The normal rates for the two different Spectrum internet plans are significantly lowered when bundled with other services.
For example, if you choose the Internet Premier plan with 500Mbps speed it will cost you $50 per month. However, the same plan when bundled with two Unlimited Mobile lines will cost you $30 per month. That’s a $240 savings per year just on the Spectrum internet bill.
Similarly, the normal Internet Gig plan offering 1Gbps speed at $70 per month can be grabbed at $40 per month if you bundle it with two Unlimited Plus Mobile lines and a TV plan. In this case, you’ll be able to lower your monthly Spectrum internet bill by $30 which converts to $360 in savings per year. Remember, if you choose to bundle the mentioned services, Spectrum offers a two and three-year price guarantee, on the Premier and Gig plans, respectively. So, what are you waiting for?
5. Spectrum Internet Assist & Advantage plan (Only for qualifying households)
While the Internet is a necessity in today’s world, some of you might be facing a hard time financially. But, that doesn’t mean you can’t access the internet. Spectrum’s Internet Assist and Internet Advantage plan covers the internet needs of low-income households for a relatively affordable cost.
If you are qualified, you can access the 50Mbps Internet Assist plan at just $25 per month. If you can afford to pay $5 extra, you can choose the 100Mbps Internet Advantage plan by Spectrum. Now, you must be wondering if the normal plans are equally affordable, how does that pricing make sense?
Well, you are not just getting internet service with these plans. Spectrum offers 1 year of Unlimited Mobile line, in-home WiFi service, modem, and security suite without any data caps and contracts. That said, a household can only be eligible for this program if one of the members is the recipient of one of these programs — National School Lunch Program (NSLP), Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) of the NSLP or Supplemental Security Income (SSI all types). If you fulfill that criteria, you can enroll by filling out the form.
6. Contacting Spectrum Customer Support Team Remains the Last Resort
We recommend getting in touch with customer support as a last resort by dialing 1-833-970-2469. Remember, whenever you call them, make sure you are polite and talking in a friendly manner. Thatโs the whole key to secure discounts and lower your monthly Spectrum internet bill. Notably, mentioning your loyalty towards the company and its services comes in handy too.
If you want to question them based on the rates offered by other internet providers, itโs ideal to do some research initially. Thatโs how you can bring the Spectrum customer support executive into the negotiation ground. If required, you can also manipulate them to lower your monthly Spectrum internet bill by hinting that you are considering to switching to other networks.
Final thoughts
Well, we have come to the end of this guide where we discussed some tried and tested ways to lower your monthly Spectrum internet bill. Honestly speaking, Spectrum doesn’t offer any such straightforward way to lower your internet bill. Rather, it bundles the discounts so that customers opt for other services too.
In any case, you can lower your monthly internet bill. Moreover, if you have any queries related to this topic, make sure to drop a comment below.
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