But depending on the type of internet service or plan you sign up for, you also need to be aware of other potentially stiff penalties.įor example, you signed a term agreement if your $20-a-month plan required you to ink a two-year contract to lock in that low price. Those can add anywhere from $5 to $35 to your monthly bill. Much like any other utility or service, you must pay your bills on time to avoid late payment fees. Avoid late payment fees and other penalties Otherwise, your $20-a-month rate could jump up to $30 monthly. This is a fairly easy fee to avoid, but you must still know it's lurking. However, if you decline these (or fail to opt-in), you'll be charged between $5 and $10 monthly. For example, with the $20 promotional rate, it's assumed that you'll nix paper billing and use the automatic payment mode (necessitating having a credit card on file). Nearly every ISP includes these two elements as discounts.

So, if you're not careful, your $20 rate could go up to $35 a month.Īnother tack-on item you need to evade, if possible, is the paper billing fee and automatic payment mode. While some providers allow you to skip this charge by using your own equipment, some ISPs (particularly satellite internet providers) still don't allow you to opt out. You can expect to pay between $5 and $15 monthly for this rental fee. This is a charge for using the provider's equipment - usually a modem, router or gateway (a combination of both). Another item to look out for that can be tacked onto your monthly costs is an equipment rental fee. OK, you've gotten past the opening fees and are ready to settle into that nice $20 monthly rate. Skip those additional monthly fees, if you can

Don't be shy about asking if this fee can be waived. It's basically a charge for setting up your account. The even better news is that some providers not only provide self-install for free, but they'll also waive the professional installation fee if you sign up online.įinally, in addition to the installation fee, many providers will also tack on a one-time 'activation fee,' which can be anywhere from $10 to $80. This is usually much cheaper, in the $15 to $35 range. The good news is some providers give you the option to choose self-install, which usually involves mailing out a kit or package to you (or, in some cases, you can pick it up at a store location). First, you'll encounter an installation fee, which covers the cost of having a technician visit your home.

The knife of letting go