Is Bundling Spectrum Internet and Mobile Worth It?

Bundling Spectrum Mobile with Spectrum Internet can be a little confusing. New and existing customers have the perk of trying Spectrum Mobile risk-free for a full year at no extra cost. True bundle discounts only kick in when new customers add two mobile lines.

But does bundling really save you money? A little, but bundling may not be worth the trouble if providers with cheaper services are available to you.

If you’re on the fence about adding Spectrum Mobile, I’ll list what’s available to you, the pros and cons of bundling, and the prices you’ll eventually pay so you can better choose what’s best for you.

New customers can bundle internet and mobile service by following this path on the Spectrum website:

Residential > Packages > Shop Packages

There you should see four cards with toggles: internet, mobile, TV, and home phone. You can’t have mobile, TV, or home phone service without Spectrum Internet, so you pick the internet plan first and then add Spectrum Mobile.

Current Spectrum Internet customers can respond to the emailed offer to try Spectrum Mobile risk-free for a full year at no extra cost. However, you won’t get a discount on internet like new customers do.

See bundling disclaimer.

Which Spectrum Mobile and Internet plans qualify for bundle deals?

According to Spectrum, you can bundle mobile service with any of its three internet plans. Internet Advantage is an unusual case, however, because it previously required homes to meet a specific qualification. That may still be the case in some areas, but Spectrum now lumps Internet Advantage in with the other two mainstream plans.

Qualifying Spectrum Internet plans

Spectrum provides mainly cable internet and some fiber-to-the-home internet. You get a modem or gateway rent-free for the duration of the service, but Wi-Fi is an extra $10 per month with the Advantage and Premier plans, whether you have Spectrum’s gateway or standalone router.

The prices shown above include one optional line of Spectrum Mobile you can try during the first year. Let’s take a look at the qualifying plans:

Spectrum Mobile plans

Spectrum Mobile offers a pay-per-gigabit plan charging $20 per gigabit used each month, but it doesn’t appear to be part of Spectrum’s bundling.

When bundling, you’re offered the Unlimited Mobile plan by default, but you can choose the Unlimited Plus Mobile plan if needed. The latter plan comes with a few extra perks, like unlimited phone upgrades and free international texting.

Technically, you get unlimited data with both plans, but expect throttled speeds when you burn through 30GB or 50GB of data in a single month, depending on the plan. The Spectrum Mobile website says you can switch to Unlimited Plus at any time.

Additionally, Spectrum Mobile requires Spectrum Internet to work. Your phone mostly uses local Wi-Fi networks and Spectrum hotspots (which include neighboring home gateways) to make calls and access the internet. If a Spectrum WiFi network is out of range, your phone switches to Verizon’s network.

Should you bundle Spectrum Mobile with Spectrum Internet?

Spectrum provides a great deal for the first 12 months if you need internet and mobile service.

New customers already get up to $30 in monthly discounts for internet service during the first year, depending on the plan. Spectrum Internet can be an absolute steal if you can get its fiber-to-the-home service, as it offers better reliability, unlike cable internet (for now, at least).

What we like: You get the best of both Spectrum worlds

Spectrum ranks seventh for overall satisfaction in our latest customer satisfaction survey, falling behind Verizon, Xfinity, AT&T, and Cox. It ranks sixth in speed satisfaction, offering up to 1,000Mbps downloads in most areas. Its fiber internet has symmetrical speeds and better reliability if you can get it.

The big callouts are no data caps on landline internet, no contracts, and free modems (or gateways). The bundle prices are cheap, too—essentially the same price you pay for internet alone during the first year. You could use the money you save to purchase one of the best Wi-Fi routers available when the promotion ends.

And you know you can count on great mobile service thanks to Verizon’s nationwide 4G LTE and 5G network. It’s available across 70% of the U.S., so even if a Spectrum hotspot isn’t nearby, Verizon has your back with great speeds, even in rural areas.

What we don’t like: Confusing bundling options

As I stressed earlier, bundling internet with mobile is confusing. I say this because current and new customers can try Spectrum Mobile risk-free for 12 months at no extra cost. Technically, this is a perk and not a bundle deal. After a year, you pay for the line if you want to keep it.

Bundling kicks in when new customers sign up for internet and need two or more mobile lines. The internet promotional pricing period changes from 12 months to 24 months. After that, you pay the standard rates for internet—mobile isn’t discounted.

If you tack on mobile and TV, the promotional period extends to 36 months. Take a look:

• Internet + 1 line trial = 12 months
• Internet + 2 lines = 24 months
• Internet + 2 lines + TV = 36 months

Price hikes and other fun stuff

I’m not a big fan of the bait and switch tactic, and that’s what is going on here. You’re reeled in with cheap promotional prices for the first year and hit with the higher standard rates thereafter.

Personally, I’d rather pay standard rates on day one because chances are I’ll forget about the price hikes until they hit a year later. Regardless, take a look at the bundle post-promo prices.

Internet + Unlimited Mobile

Internet + Unlimited Plus Mobile

You have to consider that, in order to bundle and receive the two-year promo price, you must get two Spectrum Mobile lines when you order internet. Technically, you only get a discount on your internet bill—bundling just extends how long you get to keep that promotional price. Still, at the end of the day, paying $120 for internet, Wi-Fi, and two phone lines isn’t exactly cheap.

In addition to the post-promo price hikes, there are a few other things to consider when you bundle mobile with internet.

Internet installation fee: Spectrum charges a one-time fee of $65. The self-install option costs $30, which includes the service activation charge.

Per-line activation fee: Spectrum charges a one-time fee of $10 per line.

Spectrum Internet requirement: You cannot get Spectrum Mobile without Spectrum’s internet service. Choose Verizon if you already have internet from another provider.

Auto Pay: You must enroll in Auto Pay to have Spectrum Mobile service.

My expert opinion: Some savings with a catch

The bottom line is you’re only getting a discount on internet. How long you get the discount squarely depends on the extra services you add. For example, add two mobile lines, and your internet discount is guaranteed for two years. Give one mobile line a try, and your internet discount is only for one year.

However, other internet providers are cheap starting immediately and staying that way until you cancel the service—and that’s without bundling. I suggest shopping around first before you commit to a Spectrum internet and mobile bundle.

FAQ about Spectrum’s mobile and internet bundles

Disclaimers