What Do You Actually Pay for Spectrum Internet?

Your monthly Spectrum internet bill will be higher than advertised. You get a free modem or gateway and unlimited data, plus no contracts. It’s not bad!

However, if you choose to use Spectrum WiFi, you’re stuck with a $5 to $7 WiFi Service fee every month, plus a $3 monthly charge for every Spectrum WiFi Pod you use. There’s no charge if you use your own router or mesh system.

After your second or third year with Spectrum, promo rates expire and monthly prices jump in the range of $20 to $48. Spectrum sometimes raises prices across the board, too, and won’t notify you about changes. Other times, it has raised speeds without charging extra.

We’ll get into what to expect from your Spectrum bill and help you find ways to save.

Your first Spectrum bill

Your first Spectrum bill will be higher than future monthly bills because of an installation charge for $30 (if you do the work yourself) or $65 (if you need a pro to help). You’ll also see charges for any equipment you lease plus local taxes.

Your monthly billing cycle starts the day your service is initiated.

Your monthly Spectrum bill

For the duration of your promotional period, your bill will be higher than advertised prices by at least $10 per month. Expect your Spectrum internet bill to include the following:

• Your balance from the past month, including payment received
• Your monthly service charge, minus promotions
• Adjustments (such as a $5 credit to your account if you’re signed up for autopay)
• The $5 to $7 Spectrum WiFi Service fee plus a $3 fee for each WiFi Pod you have
• Taxes, fees, and charges (which vary based on where you live)

After your promo period, you’ll have to pay standard prices. These prices are between $20 and $48 higher than promo prices, but that’s subject to change at any time.

Billing for Spectrum Mobile, Voice, and TV services

You can order mobile phone service, cable TV service, and voice service alongside your Spectrum internet service. If you do, your monthly charge will be much higher than you expect because of the following fees.

Additional fees on TV bills from Spectrum:

• Equipment fees for Spectrum receivers, such as Xumo

Additional fees on voice and mobile bills from Spectrum:

• Device and accessory charges
• International charges
• Wire Maintenance Plan fee (optional)

You may see mandatory taxes and fees on TV and phone service, depending on where you live. Learn more about hidden fees on Spectrum bundled services from our partner site, CableTV.com.

Then, read about how many internet companies still charge more than customers expect.

Spectrum internet plans and prices

Spectrum offers a handful of internet plans, so it’s easy to choose a speed that’s right for you. If you live alone or don’t use the internet much, the cheapest plans are a great deal. But if you have a big family or work as a content creator, the faster plans may be worth the money.

How to save money on Spectrum internet

You can save on Spectrum by watching for rotating deals. On certain plans, for example, you can order online and save $50. If you use your own router or mesh system, you can get out of the $5–$7 WiFi Service fee every month.

You can also save by adding Spectrum Mobile to your suite of services from Spectrum, but deals change often. Watch for options during checkout.

Recent Spectrum rate changes

Spectrum has a history of raising plan prices and equipment fees across the board, but only by a few bucks at a time. The best way to keep track of these changes is to keep an eye on your account in the My Spectrum app. Unfortunately, Spectrum does not send emails or texts about price changes.

You might not have a lot of luck calling in to negotiate a better price (we haven’t), but it’s worth a try.

How Spectrum compares

Spectrum is a major cable internet and TV provider, but it faces competition from fiber internet providers and 5G home internet providers.

Take a look at what you can expect if you switch:

Learn more about Spectrum internet

Spectrum offers plans across the country, and its service is faster and more reliable than DSL or satellite internet. However, it faces fierce competition from fiber internet providers and some 5G home internet providers.

We’ve compiled a list of resources that can help you decide whether it’s time to switch.

• Spectrum Plans and Prices
• Expert Review of Spectrum Internet
• Spectrum Internet Speed Test
• Hands-on Testing: Spectrum Internet vs. Tropical Storm Debby
• Your Guide to Spectrum Installation
• Is Your Spectrum Wi-Fi Slow? Here’s How to Troubleshoot it
• How To Get Low-Income Internet Through Spectrum
• Is Bundling Spectrum Internet and Mobile Worth It?

FAQ about Spectrum billing

Disclaimers

Spectrum internet plans and prices

How Spectrum compares