Still, stuck with an internet agreement that has a less-than-desirable connection? If so, then maybe it is time to switch to a new ISP. After all, the importance of a consistent yet reliable internet connection cannot be underestimated.
Having a good home internet service that isn’t heavy for the wallet is no longer a luxury. But a much-needed necessity. Unfortunately, the associated service costs often do not reflect the evolved status of internet connectivity.
Are you in search of a value-packed ISP that offers high-speed internet plans that don’t break the bank as well? Well, that might be difficult, similar to finding a pin in a haystack. But it’s not unattainable.
Although telecom prices have been escalating across the country for some time now, the American industry ensures that there is something for everyone, despite the rising costs.
With cheaper alternatives easily available today, it is easy to assume that one has found a decently-priced plan that’s pocket-friendly as well, only to get blindsided by hidden fees and additional service costs which simply drain the budget away!
While this ordeal can often be nerve-racking and frankly speaking, just downright frustrating, it doesn’t always have to be. Especially if one does exhaustive research before switching to a new ISP or upgrading their existing one.
Cost-Effective & High-Value Internet: Top ISPs for Your Household
The good news is you don’t have to search for a low-cost internet provider because we researched for you! This article highlights some top internet options that guarantee a cheap yet speedy network connection that fits your budget the right way:
AT&T Fiber Internet:
In the mid of January 2022, AT&T Internet successfully released two additional multi-gig speed tiers along with the available current speed levels that offered a considerably lower price among the myriad of fiber-based ISPs available in the U.S.
It is estimated that among all the five tiers, the cost per Mbps for AT&T Fiber is approximately 10 cents which comprises unlimited data and no additional fees.
Ironically, other ISPs don’t even come close to this price rate per Mbps but this can be taken into account after including the monthly fee for the rental equipment (modem, for instance), which makes AT&T seem like a pretty cheap option.
However, for subscribers not interested in the multi-gig internet speed tiers, they will find that the cheapest AT&T Fiber internet plan still delivers terrific speeds (peak downloads & uploads of 300 Mbps).
Besides the game-changing opening speed, this AT&T fiber plan has considerably 15 times faster upload speeds than the ordinary cable internet.
Priced at $55 per month, it can connect up to 10+ smart devices even during peak times. Consider service reliability guaranteed!
No wonder, AT&T Fiber is ranked as the number 1 provider for its top-notch customer satisfaction for its exceptional residential services in the north-central and southern regions.
Quantum Fiber Internet: For a Reasonable Gigabit Plan
Back sometime in September 2020, CenturyLink rebranded its company under three new separate units: Lumen Technologies, CenturyLink & Quantum Fiber.
CenturyLink assured that subscribers would not be disappointed as it rebranded CenturyLink Fiber to Quantum Fiber which was a super‐speedy, ultra‐reliable internet connection that connected the entire household at the same time.
No more worrying about consistent breaks in service or waiting for the internet to pick up its speed because, with the GIG speed, one could simply fire away!
What’s more, Quantum Fiber boasts (read: brag) about having one of the cheapest rates for a GIG speed – $65 every month plus no additional equipment charges.
But that’s not all. It is considerably cheaper than other gig options – Verizon Fios ($90), followed by Frontier & Google Fiber ($70).
CenturyLink Fiber (now Quantum Fiber) successfully delivered a speed of up to 200 Mbps for $30 per month in select markets only. Even if the said speed is not available in your ZIP code, it did open the doorway to new opportunities!
Xtream, Powered by Mediacom: Ideal for Newly-Urbanized Areas
With the Xtream Internet plans, the provider aims to provide exceptional value, an all-rounder service, super-fast speeds, and seamless device support, whether you are at home or on the go.
Since the majority of the Midwest is pastoral-agricultural, it can now be categorized as a newly-urbanized area(s). Nonetheless, the region is highly connected.
What’s more, the ISP was recently rebranded as Xtream and continues to offer impressive speeds for all kinds of users and homes. While the provider doesn’t even boast of an extensive reach as wide as its much larger competitors, like Spectrum or even Xfinity but it has a footprint, which is still impressive, nonetheless.
Besides service areas, residents of rural areas in the Midwest, South, and select areas of Arizona & California as well, can surely count on Mediacom if they are on the lookout for reasonably-priced broadband service.
The Xtream 200 Plan, for instance, starts at $39.99 per month and comes with download speeds that go as fast as 200 Mbps with upload speeds as much as 10 Mbps!
However, there is just one downside to Mediacom’s internet plans: the ISP comes with a data cap every month. So households expected to go beyond would incur overage fees of $10 for every 50GB of data, which may even go up to a max of $50!
Streaming options can take up to 3GB or more for every hour with activities as simple as streaming TV for a few hours every day, which can instantly cross the allocated cap amount.
However, subscribers interested in monthly data options should consider Xtream’s higher speed tiers, which are as high as 1 GIG per month. Get Xtream now!
Xfinity from Comcast: The Perfect Low-Priced Cable Internet Provider
With competition rife within the U.S. telecom industry, few ISPs have been successful in leaving a strong mark on the industry, Xfinity being one of them. A subsidiary of Comcast Communications, LLC; this ISP is considered one of the largest cable companies in the country.
Although Xfinity’s service area encompasses around 40 U.S. states, with top coverage in the regions of Alabama, Arizona, and Arkansas, the provider is well-known for its reliable hybrid fiber-coaxial internet network.
Priced at $30 per month, it offers a decent speed of 50Mbps and is perfectly low-priced for someone in search of monthly deals.
Subscribers, who are on the lookout for a speedier connection will like the internet plans by Xfinity, which are aplenty with its lowest plan, offering max download speeds that soar as high as 50 Mbps for an entire year and serves a 1-year service agreement.
What’s more, it can seamlessly connect up to 4 devices at once! This is ideal for subscribers who want the no-contract option. However, they should expect an increase in internet bills by a mere $10 per month for the first service year.
One thing to note, all plans come with a data cap of 1.2TB in select markets, regardless of the Xfinity internet plan, that’s why it’s best to keep the overage under the specified limits.
Cox Communications: Top-Notch Prepaid Internet Service
One of the surprising additions to this cheap ISP list is Cox which offers internet plans, both stand-alone and bundle-wise.
Even though, Cox internet plans are slightly on the pricier side with the cheapest service Cox plan is relatively higher than any of the featured plans on the list here.
Yet, Cox has made it to this list, and for good reason too! All thanks to the pocket-friendly prepaid service offered by this high-end provider.
It costs about $50 per month, offers 100 Mbps, a free router or modem device with every new installation, and a 3-year price guarantee!
What makes this internet plan ideal is that it offers an option where subscribers can pay before they use the service. Perfect for subscribers, who are interested in a pay-as-you-go digital service per month!
Charter Spectrum: Best for Low Charges
This ISP has one of the best internet plans that are not just suitably priced but come with economical prices as well!
The ISP serves terrific download speeds for economical prices, with the lowest being $49.99 per month. While offering download speeds up to 300 Mbps, even though wireless speeds are expected to vary!
Although, this is a contract-free and cap-free service, the rent-free modem and built-in security software make it a ‘damn good rival’ against its other competitor in the cable internet service: Mediacom, Xfinity, or Cox with blazing speeds and a transparent pricing chain that’s well worth it!
Some Honorable Mentions – Small Providers That Are Worth a Shot!
Although, this list consists of some of the top providers in the industry, here are some small providers that deserve a mention here as well:
Astound Broadband, Powered by RCN
Rebranded as Astound, this ISP has offered successful plans, whose prices vary in different regions. However, the provider offers 600 Mbps download speed at $29.99 in Boston Area, MA.
HughesNet
It is rare for satellite providers to be mentioned in the list but HughesNet is often unrivaled, due to factors like high network latency or data caps, which are part of HughesNet’s Gen5 package.
Wrapping It Up
So how does one know which internet package to opt for? After all, there are more factors than price when it comes to selecting a low-priced internet provider for your household.
That’s why before choosing a cheap ISP, subscribers should take a good look at all aspects of an ISP, such as speeds, additional costs, extra fee charges, contracts, and even price hikes in the service, along with the original price that’s advertised online.
Moreover, select a high-quality service connection that’s easily available in your location and you are good to go!
And then choosing a low-priced internet provider wouldn’t be so hard at all.
