A reliable home internet connection is essential—but it shouldn’t break the bank. It doesn’t have to happen when you learn how to lower your internet bill. The goal is to save money and ensure you get the best value from your internet service provider (ISP).
When you lower your internet bill, you can:
- Avoid paying for speeds you don’t need or use
- Prevent costly overage charges
- Find the best ISP and rates
- Reduce additional charges like equipment rental
Comparing plans, optimizing your home network, bundling services, and tweaking your settings can help you lower monthly costs. The result? You can experience more efficient service without sacrificing speed or connectivity.
Compare internet plans to find the best deal
Internet providers typically offer different plans based on location, availability, promotions, and even competition. If you live in a large city, there’s probably more infrastructure and technology available, providing more options than in a rural area.
Regardless of your location, shopping around is always a good idea. If you don’t check out your options, you might miss out on a more affordable choice. Comparing plans helps you find the best deal possible.
Start by:
- Reviewing your current bill regularly. Consider your current plan by regularly reviewing your monthly internet bill to make sure it matches how you actually use the internet. Does it meet your needs, or are you paying for extras you don’t use? Watch for when promotional/introductory rates expire, which can drive up your internet costs.
- Looking for promotional offers, seasonal deals, and customer loyalty discounts. Providers may offer annual promotions or upgrades for existing customers. They may roll out new deals during major sales events, such as Black Friday or back-to-school season. Checking for upcoming holidays and searching for related deals can lead to more savings. If you’ve been a loyal customer, there might be a discount available. It never hurts to check with your provider.
- Exploring bundle deals for more savings options. Top providers typically offer bundled packages that combine internet, TV, and phone services for a lower rate. For example, we offer bundling options that include internet and wireless services to help reduce costs. If you’re wondering how to lower your phone bill and internet bill at once, combining services is a great solution.
- Checking out competitors. If your current internet provider isn’t giving you the best deal or service, it might be time to switch to another provider. Check out how to choose the best internet provider in your area and compare their prices, services, and deals. You might find what you’re looking for somewhere else, or discover that your current provider is your best option.
Following these steps can help you make informed decisions about your internet plan and get the best value for your money. And there are still a few more ways to learn how to reduce your internet bill.
Adjust your internet speed to match your needs
To get the most value out of your internet connection, make sure your speed matches your actual needs. Having the right internet speed can better support your online activities and devices—and help you get your money’s worth.
Ensure your speed meets your needs by:
- Considering your household usage. Add up how many devices are connected to your network and consider your normal online activities. Video streaming, gaming, and remote work on multiple devices require higher speeds. Meanwhile, you can get away with lower speeds if you’re just browsing and messaging.
- Running an internet speed test. If you’re wondering how fast your internet speed is, a speed test is a quick way to find out. It shows whether your average speeds line up with your package’s specifications. If your download or upload rates are inconsistent, troubleshooting your network setup may improve performance and efficiency.
- Checking for provider speed upgrades. Certain providers offer packages with increased speeds for existing customers. Check to see if you’re eligible for an upgrade—a better package may offer more overall value.
- Improving your Wi-Fi performance. If your Wi-Fi feels slow, try switching to a wired connection. Or opt for Wi-Fi extenders, which expand your network coverage by receiving and rebroadcasting your router’s signal. A mesh network system, which uses multiple devices or access points instead of relying on a single router, is another option for enhancing speeds. Find more information on mesh networks vs. extenders to see which one best suits your needs.
Check out these tips for choosing the best internet plan to improve your household’s internet connection. Once you have the right plan, optimize your home network to ensure your internet performs at its best.
Optimize your home network and use data-saving features
When determining how to lower your internet bill, consider a few simple tweaks at home. Improving your home network and managing data usage can enhance your internet experience while keeping costs down.
Steps to improve your home network
To ensure a stable connection and get the most from your current plan:
- Put your router in the best spot possible. Place your router in a central location to allow the signal to reach all areas of your home. Make sure it’s elevated and away from walls, appliances, or electronic interference.
- Buy your own equipment. Many internet companies rent their equipment for a monthly cost. Instead, purchase your own equipment to save. Before you do, check to make sure the equipment is compatible with your service.
- Upgrade any outdated equipment. Older routers and modems may not support the full speed of modern internet plans. Upgrading to a newer model can enhance your signal, performance, and security.
- Limit unnecessary connections. Disconnect devices that aren’t in use to free up bandwidth. Old phones, tablets, and computers—plus smart home devices—can all slow down your network, making your service less efficient.
- Use Quality of Service (QoS). Some routers allow you to prioritize traffic to give essential apps enough bandwidth for a faster, smoother experience. Check if your router supports QoS and consider this if you work remotely or take online classes.
Ways to reduce data usage
Managing data usage across your devices can help you stay within your data limits. If you go over limits, you might be responsible for overage charges. To use less data:
- Lower your streaming quality settings. Many streaming services let you adjust your playback settings to save on data (often without a noticeable difference). Do the same with the audio quality on your music streaming services.
- Turn off automatic updates. Many devices update apps, software, and cloud backups in the background, using large amounts of data. Scheduling updates for off-peak hours can help you manage bandwidth.
- Use data-saver modes. Most smartphones, tablets, and even browsers offer data-saving features that compress images, reduce background activity, and improve usage.
- Track data usage with built-in tools. Use built-in tools on your router or devices to see what’s using the most data. You can track high-usage devices and adjust use accordingly.
Small adjustments can help you get the most out of your internet plan without additional costs. If you find your package’s data limit still doesn’t fit your needs, you may want to switch to an unlimited plan.
Switch to an unlimited data plan to avoid overages
If your plan features data caps, going over them can lead to additional fees, making it difficult to predict what your bill will look like at the end of the month.
With an unlimited plan, you typically don’t have to worry about data caps.
Why unlimited data can save you money
Choosing an unlimited plan offers several benefits to help you manage costs. Some of these include:
- No surprise charges. If you regularly stream, game, or work from home, an unlimited plan prevents any overage fees that can quickly add up. With no unexpected fees, you can better budget your internet expenses.
- Consistent performance. Providers may lower speeds after you reach a certain data limit, but unlimited plans may reduce the risk of slowdowns tied to caps.
- Peace of mind for heavy internet users. Households with multiple users or those who regularly use 4K streaming, video conferencing software, or online gaming platforms generally won’t have to worry about limiting or tracking their usage.
- More flexibility for remote work. Without data caps, you can deal with fewer disruptions when working from home—helping you stay on top of meetings and deadlines without worrying about slowed speeds.
How to know if an unlimited plan is right for you
Thinking about switching? Make sure an unlimited plan aligns with your household’s internet usage:
- Review past usage. Check your billing statements to see if you regularly go over your provider’s cap to get an idea of your average monthly data use.
- Consider your household needs. If multiple people in your home use high-data applications, an unlimited plan is likely the most cost-effective option.
- Compare costs. If overage fees cost more than upgrading, switching to unlimited can save you money on every bill.
- Look for bundle discounts. Certain providers offer savings on streaming services or other digital services when paired with unlimited data.
Now is the time to find out if an unlimited plan may be worth a look. And don’t just stop with unlimited plans because bundling other services can help you save money, too.
Combine internet with other services for cost savings
Bundling multiple services with your internet plan can lead to lower monthly costs. You could also get additional perks like free installations, lower fees, or extra features.
Some of the most common bundled services available include:
- Internet + Mobile. Certain companies offer unlimited data or priority network access when bundling your home internet with a wireless plan. If you already have mobile service, ask your provider about home internet bundles for potential discounts on both bills.
- Internet + TV + Phone. If you want even more savings, consider combining TV and phone with your internet. Certain ISPs offer streaming service credits, on-demand content, discounts on access to premium cable channels, or DVR upgrades when combining TV and phone services with your internet plan.
- Smart home services. Select providers offer discounts on security systems and smart home devices. If you use smart home technology, bundling these services with your internet provider may be more convenient and could lower costs.
There are various discounted bundles you can choose from to meet your needs. When you combine services into one package, you only have one bill and one account to deal with, saving you time and hassle.
Find the best AT&T internet plan for your needs
Learning how to lower your internet bill doesn’t have to be complicated. By optimizing your current plan, taking advantage of available resources, and making small adjustments, you can save money while maintaining quality service—or even enhancing your service.
To make it easier, we offer internet solutions customizable for your household size and usage needs. By exploring available plans in your area, you can find one to help you lower your internet bill each month.
Count on fast, reliable service at an affordable price when you choose fiber internet, combine services, or utilize a limited-time promotion.
