Beat Internet Providers at Their Own Game and Save Cash

Prices to rent a game or subscribe to a video service are up 15.2%, compared to a year ago; women’s dresses are up 14.3%, and even your cup of joe is going to cost an average of 18.4% more than it did back in the spring of 2025. That’s according to the February Consumer Price Index maintained by the U.S. Department of Labor.

I can’t help much with the price of coffee or that new frock, but I know internet service, and I know all the best deals go to new customers.

This guide will help you choose the best time to switch providers and then offer tips and tricks for when you need budget relief (but don’t want to switch your internet service).

Five times to game the system by switching

Internet providers work really hard to get new customers on their books, but once you’re all hooked up, they depend on your loyalty—or maybe your laziness—to keep you paying month after month. A lot of providers even jack up your prices after the first year or two, or slowly increase fees, or start charging for services that were free when you signed up.

It can all feel like you’re getting played, and you might feel stuck. But isn’t it time to turn the tables? Consider the following when you really want to stick to the big telecoms.

1. Switch when your promotion expires

Providers like to offer $20 monthly discounts or things like included Wi-Fi equipment to new customers, but those promotions eventually expire. Compare the advertised price to the price on your broadband label when you sign up, and if there’s a promotion, set a reminder in your calendar for a few weeks before the promo expires.

When the time comes, use our provider comparison tools to shop and compare.

2. Switch when you need a new phone or mobile line

A lot of cable and fiber internet providers are offering mobile phone service these days, and mobile phone providers are responding in kind by getting into the home internet hustle.

You win when providers compete, and here’s how: Take advantage of offers for new phones or free lines of service when you switch. There may be some hoops to jump through, but you could save thousands.

In fact, Spectrum guarantees that you’ll save at least $1,000 per year by switching, or it will pay the difference in bill credits over the following year.

3. Switch before kickoff (or tipoff)

Streaming services and 5G home internet may be fine for scrolling, paying bills, and watching your favorite episodes of Seinfeld for the umpteenth time, but you need real firepower to watch the biggest games and matches. That means fast, consistent speeds and Wi-Fi that reach all the way from the master bedroom upstairs to the man cave in the basement.

If you’re an NFL fan, consider switching back to a cable or fiber internet service provider before the regular season begins in September. If college ball is more your thing, switch in January or February so you can be ready for March Madness.

4. Switch when a new season of your favorite show is coming out

Providers like to sweeten the pot with free access to streaming services, so why not make a switch just in time to enjoy a new season of an old favorite?

Hacks and Euphoria are coming back to HBO Max in April 2026, for example, and you can get free access with certain Spectrum packages. But if you’ve also been pining for a new season of Love on the Spectrum or have a kiddo squealing for some new CoComelon Lane episodes, consider switching to Verizon and choosing the Netflix + HBO Max bundle for just $10 per month.

5. Switch during (or right before) the winter holidays

Internet providers are highly motivated to get their subscriber numbers up at the end of every year, and it’s a golden opportunity for you to score special perks when you switch providers. I’ve seen offers for everything from free 42-inch TVs to Bluetooth speakers and the Nintendo Switch system in Black Friday promos, and the deals usually last into December.

Even if you don’t intend to stay with your new provider for longer than the deal requires, switching over the holidays can be a great way to get some goodies under the tree.

Note: Sometimes, accepting perks amounts to signing up for a contract because you’ll be charged a prorated amount if you cancel early. Check all the disclaimers, terms, and conditions before you accept any perks or gifts, and check your broadband label for info about short-term promotional rates and fees. 

Look for four benefits that last

Perks and promotions are great, but connectivity is serious business, and so is your household budget.

Keep the following in mind when you’re considering a switch:

Monthly prices

The average internet bill is $70 per month, but most folks can find a good plan for closer to $50.

Adequate speeds

Small households can get away with 100–300Mbps of download speed, while bigger families need closer to 500Mbps.

Gigabit speeds are impressive, but for most folks, it’s like owning a Ferrari in a school zone: You’re paying for a massive engine you’ll never get to fire up.

Quality Wi-Fi

It used to be common to rent a modem and router from your internet provider, and pay $10–$20 per month for the privilege. Some still have equipment lease fees, and others charge a “Wi-Fi Access fee” or “Advanced Wi-Fi” fee unless you have your own router.

If you don’t already have a router you love, look for free equipment when you switch. Some of the latest plans even come with Wi-Fi 7 routers or mesh extenders to help you make the most of your fast internet speeds.

Unlimited data

Data limits are increasingly rare for home internet plans these days, but they’re still out there. If you’re still budgeting your data or dealing with fees or penalties for going over, it’s time to get on an unlimited plan.

Sometimes, it doesn’t make sense to switch internet providers. Maybe you need fiber internet, for example, and you have only one option. Or perhaps you and your family already bundle your mobile phones with home internet, and you’re happy with the perks and benefits you already have.

On a financial level, you should also keep in mind the cost to return equipment, potential early termination fees, activation fees with a new provider, and the hassle of a potential professional installation. Don’t get me wrong—none of these are common anymore. But they’re worth mentioning in case they impact your bottom line.

Here are three ways to save money when you aren’t ready to switch:

• Call in and ask about getting on a new customer promotion.
• Get discounts for bundling services.
• Refer friends and family to score gift cards or bill credits.

My take: Your provider doesn’t deserve your loyalty

Internet service is a competitive market, and it’s getting more and more competitive all the time. Fiber internet infrastructure is expanding at breakneck speed, 5G home internet is faster and more reliable than ever, and satellite internet from low-Earth orbit providers is a realistic replacement for wired internet, especially if you’re stuck with DSL.

You shouldn’t let loyalty to a certain provider cost you. Take advantage of the competition to get the best deal you can, and stay flexible. The best deals really do go to new customers, so be a new customer as often as you can.