Why does my internet bill keep going up? A guide to buying Wi-Fi in Florida

Lianna Norman, Palm Beach Post
·4 min read

In 2023, your home’s internet connection is a lifeline for many things. Want to hop on a zoom call for work or school? Have a telehealth therapy session? Just trying to scroll through Netflix?

Such simple tasks become triggers when Wi-Fi connection waffles. And on top of the ever-present possibility of connectivity issues and slow internet speed, problems with billing and customer service is one of the leading complaints from Wi-Fi customers.

Here’s everything you need to know about avoiding hidden fees and slow speeds if you’re shopping for Wi-Fi in Florida.

Why does my internet bill keep going up?

Most people’s internet service bills go up for two reasons: promotional pricing and/or hidden fees.

According to Allconnect, a free resource for comparing internet, cable and streaming services, nearly all internet providers offer promotional rates for their new customers. This means that when you sign up for a Wi-Fi service, your first month or two is most likely cheaper than the regular rate.

In fact, most internet providers don’t even advertise their regular rate. Unless your internet service provider clarifies that it offers a Price for Life plan, you can expect the monthly price of your Wi-Fi to start increasing anywhere from three months to two years into your internet service.

If your internet service provider (ISP) increases its service charges once, you should expect them to do it again in the future, according to Allconnect.

“Overall, the providers that increase prices the most after a promotional period are Mediacom, Viasat and Sparklight, with an increase of up to $100/mo,” Allconnect says. “However, this increase is only for these providers’ most expensive packages. When it comes to their cheapest plans, prices increase by as low as $10/mo.”

Most ISPs do this because there are no repercussions for structuring their pricing this way. Broadband service pricing isn’t regulated, which means that service providers have the freedom to hike prices as they wish.

It’s also important to remember that there are typically hidden fees for equipment costs and service and installation fees.

Best internet providers in Florida

On average, Americans pay $62 monthly for wireless internet services, and around $92 per month for internet services, in general. Here’s a list of Allconnect’s top five recommended internet providers for Floridians, determined by coverage area, technology and starting price. T-Mobile, Xfinity and AT&T are the most widely-available ISPs for Floridians, offering services to 91%, 48% and 40% of the state respectively.

  1. AT&T - $55 monthly starting price, 40% serviceable

  2. Xfinity - $30 monthly starting price, 48% serviceable

  3. Spectrum - $49.99 monthly starting price, 33% serviceable

  4. CenturyLink - $50 monthly starting price, 17% serviceable

  5. T-mobile - $49.99 monthly starting price, 91% serviceable

Which Wi-Fi service has the fastest speed in Florida?

Any internet speed higher than 25 megabits per second (Mbps) is considered high-speed internet. Fortunately, the Florida has a healthy average internet speed of 123 Mbps.

Here are the three fastest internet providers in the state:

  1. AT&T: Fiber-optic network with speeds up to 4,700 Mbps

  2. Xfinity: Cable network with speeds up to 3,000 Mbps

  3. Spectrum: Cable network with speeds up to 1,000 Mbps

How can I save money on my Wi-Fi bill?

  • Skip equipment fees: The simplest way to save on Wi-Fi services is to buy your own modem and router. Check with your internet service provider first to make sure they’ll allow you to use your own equipment.

  • Bundle: If you still have cable TV, bundling your internet and TV services could save you anywhere from $5 to $40 each month. If you’re a streamer, most internet providers also offer bundles with internet and some streaming services.

  • Avoid the need for speed: Most people buy more internet speed than they need. Most ISPs offer plans that reach up to 1,000 Mbps, but most households only need an internet speed of around 100 to 200 Mbps.

  • Negotiate your bill: You can negotiate your bill with your service provider. While negotiating, you can ask about hidden fees and perks like free installation, free equipment, free activation, free speed upgrades, free channel upgrades and priority installation.

  • Switch providers: If negotiating your Wi-Fi bill didn’t pan out the way you’d hoped, you can always shop for a new internet service provider.

Lianna Norman covers trending news in Palm Beach County for The Palm Beach Post. You can reach her at lnorman@pbpost.com. You can follow her reporting on social media @LiannaNorman on Twitter.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Cheapest, Fastest and best Wi-Fi options for Floridians