Cheap Internet for Seniors
The best affordable internet plans for seniors offer reliable speeds, solid value, and low monthly rates.
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- No contracts on any plan
- No income requirements for best deals
- Option to bundle phone and TV
- No annual contracts
- AT&T Access plan is cheaper for lower-income households
- Option to bundle internet and TV
- Contract-free options
- Xfinity Internet Essentials is a fantastic budget option
- Bundling options for internet, TV, mobile, home phone, and home security
- Plans with and without data caps and contracts
- Speeds up to 1 Gbps
- Internet and TV bundles
- No long-term contracts
- Bundles available
- Widespread availability
- 5G coverage
- No annual contracts
- Affordable monthly rates
Our senior tech experts put together a list of the best cheap internet plans for seniors based on extensive research and testing.
Our senior tech experts put together a list of the best cheap internet plans for seniors based on extensive research and testing.
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Researching affordable internet options can make your head spin! Thankfully, you don’t have to go through this process alone. After 150 hours of research, comparison shopping, and hands-on testing, our team of tech experts hand-picked the best cheap internet providers. We evaluated important criteria like price, value, customer support, speed and reliability, perks, and more.
Our Methodology: How We Chose and Tested the Best Cheap Internet for Seniors
Testing out AT&T internet
So, how did we choose the best cheap internet plans for older adults? Our tech experts spent over 150 hours researching and testing the best internet plans to create this list. We chose our top affordable picks using the following criteria:
- Plan pricing: While there are other costs to consider, such as activation fees and equipment rentals, your plan's monthly rate will be the bulk of what you pay for internet. We chose providers offering affordable plans — with extra points to providers with senior discounts! Additionally, we will share 15 hidden internet fees to look out for as you shop.
- Customer support: Home internet doesn’t always work like it should. It can also be challenging to install, especially if you’re doing it for the first time. That’s why we chose providers with high-quality customer and tech support teams.
- Service areas: Even if an internet provider has dirt-cheap prices, it doesn’t matter unless it’s available in your area! We tried to choose providers that offer a good balance between affordable plans and solid coverage areas that can reach a larger percentage of seniors in the United States.
- Speed and reliability: Internet is essentially useless if it’s too slow or constantly losing the signal. Since advertised speeds are often much higher than actual speeds, we tested our top picks to ensure they can provide fast speeds and reliable connections at affordable prices.
- Perks and features: Lastly, we considered all the perks and features that could be beneficial to seniors. While these were not our top priority, additional features like bundling options, antivirus software, and free Wi-Fi hotspots all help enhance the experience for customers.
Now that you know the factors we used to evaluate each provider, let’s take a look at our testing experience:
- Our tech team shopped for internet plans online, considering speeds, prices, and extra perks. We also evaluated any hidden or additional fees and how easy (or difficult) it was to order a plan online. Our team spoke with customer service representatives via online chat or phone to get a feel for the quality.
- Then, we signed up for a plan from each provider. We used each internet connection for several days to get a feel for the quality of service. During that time, we ran speed tests and did various tasks online, including streaming, surfing the web, and video calls. We tried out the service in different parts of the home to see how consistent service was.
- Along with this testing, our team used their personal experience with the internet providers they’ve had long term. Whether we’ve been satisfied with a provider for years or made a switch because of pricing or speed issues, we give you our honest opinions.
It’s important to note that internet plans and prices vary significantly by location and seasonal discounts. The prices and speeds listed for providers below may not be the same in your area, so we recommend plugging in your address on the provider’s website for the most accurate prices and plan options. Now, read on to learn which providers dominated the competition!
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1. Cox - Best Setup Process
What we like most
- No contracts on any plan
- No income requirements for best deals
- Option to bundle phone and TV
CoxOverview:Overview
Cox internet plans start at $49.99 monthly for download speeds up to 100 Mbps, making it a middle-of-the-road option in terms of price. The company also has TV, telephone, and home security services. Serving over 6.5 million residences and businesses across 19 states, Cox provides a one-stop shop for your internet and home media needs. The company prides itself on getting you connected quickly, with free next-day delivery available for internet, TV, and voice orders placed before 1 p.m.
» Learn More: Best Cable TV for Seniors
While testing out Cox Internet, we were really impressed with how quick and easy the setup process was. Once we chose our plan online and paid the upfront costs, it took less than 24 hours to get the equipment in the mail and about 20 minutes to have our home internet up and running. Even if you opt for the “slowest” Cox internet plan (100 Mbps), you still get more than enough speed to stream Netflix and surf the web without interruption on multiple devices.
Plus, Cox offers 24/7 live customer support, so we could connect with an agent via text, live chat, or phone in a few minutes. In one instance, we had trouble setting up our modem and getting a reliable connection. We called Cox and connected with an agent in around 15 minutes. We spoke with a kind and helpful representative who helped us reset the modem and resolve the issue quickly.
Using the Cox online chat feature
Cox is a solid contender if you live in the service area. Offering cheap internet, stellar customer support, no contracts, and a 30-day money-back guarantee, Cox is a budget-friendly option for seniors on a fixed income. Many providers require a long-term contract, so we appreciate Cox’s flexibility.
We also like the Cox mobile app, which offers features similar to other providers, such as AT&T and CenturyLink. We could chat with customer support, manage our account, run a speed test, view our data usage, reset our equipment, and more
Using the Cox mobile app
Ready to learn more about Cox internet plans? Head to our Cox internet review for additional details on this provider.
Pros & Cons:Pros About Cox
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Option to bundle with cable and phone
- Free internet security software powered by McAfee
- 24/7 customer support
- Access to over 3 million Cox hotspots nationwide
- No income requirements for affordable plans
- No contracts for internet plans
- We experienced faster-than-advertised speeds
Cons About Cox
- Limited nationwide availability
- Actual speeds are not the best
Summary:Pricing
Cox internet starts at $49.99 for the Go Fast plan, featuring download speeds up to 100 Mbps and no contract. Unlike CenturyLink, which has very different prices based on your location, Cox keeps its prices more or less the same, regardless of the area.
Expert InsightsFrom Taylor Shuman, Senior Tech ExpertI’m a big fan of Cox’s pricing transparency and rates that stay consistent in different areas. I’ve experienced price hikes with some providers in the past when I moved from one state to another, so Cox has a leg up on the competition here.It’s important to consider that Cox charges a one-time $25 activation fee and a monthly equipment rental fee of $5.99. However, you can save $15 if you bundle internet with an eligible Cox mobile phone plan. Or spend just $5 more monthly to bundle your internet plan with the Contour Stream Player. This device works like cable TV, except it uses your internet rather than a traditional cable connection. These options are ideal for seniors who want to bundle their services for convenience and savings.
» Learn About: Cox Cable TV for Seniors
If you want to kick things up a notch, you can opt for the Go Faster plan, which starts at $70 per month and has download speeds of up to 250 Mbps. Unfortunately, the fastest plans can get pretty pricey: 500 Mbps costs $90 per month, and 1 Gbps is a whopping $109.99 monthly. While Cox generally offers a good balance between speed and value, you can get higher speeds for lower prices with providers like Xfinity.
Cox also offers the StraightUp prepaid internet plan for $50 per month, with taxes and fees included. This pay-as-you-go plan delivers download speeds up to 100 Mbps. It requires no credit check, deposit, or term agreement. With StraightUp, you’ll also receive a Wi-Fi modem at no cost. We love this affordable option for those on a tight budget or fixed income.
Speed and Reliability
We tested Cox Internet and were happy with both the speeds and the consistency of the connection. For a week, we never had any issues with our internet suddenly dropping out. A team member has had Cox for two years and has experienced just one brief internet outage. Talk about reliability!
We went with the Go Fast 100 Mbps plan and tested the speed at varying times throughout the day. On average, we recorded a download speed of 114 Mbps. It shocked us, as we received more speed than our plan advertised! We haven’t seen that with other cheap internet providers on our list. The connection offered more than enough to connect multiple mobile phones, computers, and streaming devices simultaneously. We could watch Netflix, use FaceTime, and check emails from different devices.
Running a speed test for Cox internet
Service Area
Cox Internet covers 647 service areas across 19 states, including California, Arizona, and Florida. Cox Internet can reach millions of seniors countrywide, but its service area is still far smaller than that of Spectrum, AT&T, and Xfinity. The only provider on this list that offers a smaller service area is CenturyLink. However, if you live in one of the 19 states Cox serves, the competitive prices and bundling offers are definitely worth considering.
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2. AT&T - Best Customer Satisfaction
What we like most
- No annual contracts
- AT&T Access plan is cheaper for lower-income households
- Option to bundle internet and TV
AT&TOverview:Overview
AT&T offers affordable fiber plans starting at around $55 per month for up to 300 Mbps. And, if you qualify for the low-income plan, AT&T is one of the most affordable internet providers on the market, starting at $30 per month. Offering everything from internet and phone to wireless service and TV, AT&T is a great option for bundling. With service in 21 states and a low-cost internet plan, AT&T has budget-conscious consumers covered.
» You Might Like: AT&T Cell Phone Plans for Seniors 2024
AT&T also knocks it out of the park in customer satisfaction. If you live in the South, West, or North Central regions of the United States, you’re in luck; AT&T is rated No. 1 in customer satisfaction for residential internet service by J.D. Power.1
We can attest to this quality customer service. All the representatives we spoke with were kind and patient, and they helped us resolve any issues. One of our tech team members has been an AT&T customer for years, and they commend the company’s reliable support. In one instance, we needed to switch the account holder’s name on our plan. It was a lengthy process, and the representative we worked with was friendly and made just the right amount of small talk during the hour-long process. It made the switch much less painful!
That said, we occasionally had to wait longer to contact an AT&T agent than we did with Cox or Xfinity; on one occasion, we were on the phone for nearly 30 minutes just to get our questions answered. However, this wasn’t the norm. We typically are connected with an agent in under five minutes.
We’re also big fans of AT&T’s Smart Home Manager mobile app. You can run a speed test, test your signal strength, troubleshoot connection issues, view the devices using your network, and more. It makes it easy to manage all things internet in one place!
Using the Smart Home Manager app
Pros & Cons:Pros About AT&T
- The AT&T Access plan is just $30 per month for lower-income households
- Can bundle internet with television or mobile phone service
- No annual contract
- Includes free antivirus software and an AT&T Internet Security Suite powered by McAfee
- Great customer service
Cons About AT&T
- Must meet income requirements for the AT&T Access plan
- Standard plans have substantial add-on fees
- Customer service calls can be time-consuming
- Bundles are still pretty expensive
Summary:Pricing
AT&T’s plans offer free installation, no deposit, no contract, and download speeds up to 5 Gbps for qualifying customers. The AT&T Access plan can cost up to $30 monthly for qualifying low-income households. In the past, you could even get this plan for free via the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). However, as of February 2024, the ACP is no longer accepting applications, and the program benefits will officially end in April 2024.2 While we’re disappointed to see this program end, we are glad that AT&T still serves low-income customers through the AT&T Access plan.
If you don’t qualify for AT&T Access, there are other reasonably priced options. AT&T fiber internet costs $55 monthly, with advertised download speeds up to 300 Mbps. You can even get download speeds of up to 1 Gbps for $80 per month. That means you can get speedier service per dollar with AT&T than Cox or CenturyLink.
» Dive Deeper: AT&T Internet Review
However, AT&T’s fees are pretty expensive. For example, AT&T charges a $49 activation fee, almost double Cox’s activation fee. Equipment rental fees start at $10 monthly. And if you request professional installation, there is a one-time fee of $149. Even if you choose self-installation, you may have to pay a fee of $99 if you require assistance from AT&T. All of these hidden fees can add up, so it’s critical to read the fine print. The upside is that AT&T will reimburse your cancellation fees if you switch from another provider.
Remember that fiber internet is not offered everywhere. While costs are low and speeds high, you may lack access to fiber in your area. AT&T also offers bundles with TV and mobile phone service in some areas. The prices, however, aren’t as favorable as those for bundling with Cox. For example, bundling fiber internet with DIRECTV starts at $124.99 per month, plus taxes and fees.
» Also Check Out: DIRECTV Packages for Seniors
Speed and Reliability
AT&T is pretty fast and reliable. A tech team member has had AT&T’s 50 Mbps internet plan for several years. She lives in a household of four, full of streamers and remote workers, and her connection is always strong. When she performed speed tests, she averaged a download speed of around 46 Mbps. We were impressed with how close AT&T’s advertised speed was to the speeds we actually experienced!
Our speed test while using AT&T internet
Our team also tested out AT&T’s 300 Mbps fiber plan and recorded an average download speed of about 127 Mbps. That means we got a little less than half of the advertised speed for our plan. Considering that the plan costs only $55 per month, these speeds were solid and allowed us to stream in HD on multiple devices without interruption. We also didn’t experience any outages or downtime during our one-week testing period.
Service Area
AT&T fiber internet is available in 22 states. Some states with substantial coverage from AT&T include Texas, Georgia, and Illinois. While AT&T has invested heavily in its fiber network and offers internet to more households than Cox and CenturyLink, it still lags far behind Xfinity and Spectrum in this respect. Xfinity and Spectrum offer internet service in almost twice as many states as AT&T.
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3. Xfinity - Best Bundles and Perks
What we like most
- Contract-free options
- Xfinity Internet Essentials is a fantastic budget option
- Bundling options for internet, TV, mobile, home phone, and home security
XfinityOverview:Overview
Xfinity, part of media giant Comcast NBCUniversal, is available in 41 states countrywide, giving it one of the largest service areas on this list. The company offers affordable plans starting at $19.99 per month for download speeds up to 150 Mbps in some areas. As a bonus, Xfinity makes it simple to power up your home with internet, cable, phone, and more! The company’s competitive pricing, plan, bundles, and free add-ons are all pros in our book.
Expert InsightsFrom Taylor Shuman, Senior Tech ExpertXfinity is one of the most widely available internet providers I’ve tested. My family and I have had Xfinity in three different states, and we’ve experienced consistent speeds and reliability with our plan regardless of the location.We were impressed with almost every facet of Xfinity’s internet offerings, from the affordable plans to the millions of secure hotspots countrywide. Bundling with Xfinity is also great, whether you’re looking for mobile, home security, TV, or even a landline. For seniors who want to bundle TV and internet but don’t want to mess with complicated button layouts, we highly recommend the free Flex 4K streaming TV box, including a voice-controlled remote!
» Also Check Out: Xfinity Cable TV Review
One of our favorite things about Xfinity is the hassle-free order and setup process. We called Xfinity to ask questions and sign up for a plan (which you can also do online). The representative we spoke with offered a promotion we hadn’t seen online. Score! Within 30 minutes, we were signed up for a plan and headed to our local Xfinity store to pick up the equipment. Once we got home, we followed the prompts in Xfinity’s mobile app to set up our Wi-Fi password and get online. It was totally headache-free and very fast!
Testing out Xfinity Internet
Xfinity’s downside? While it has some budget-friendly plans, pricing may increase substantially after the introductory period. However, that’s typical with any internet provider. We can happily report that Xfinity offers excellent customer service and 24/7 access to tech support agents via phone or live chat.
Using Xfinity's online chat feature
Pros & Cons:Pros About Xfinity
- Xfinity Internet Essentials plans are very affordable for eligible low-income customers
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Guaranteed two-hour appointment window
- 24/7 customer support
- Access to millions of secure Xfinity Wi-Fi hotspots
- Option to bundle with TV, mobile, home phone, and home security
- Free Flex 4K streaming TV box with voice remote and Peacock Premium with Xfinity Performance plan
Cons About Xfinity
- To qualify for Internet Essentials, enrollees must participate in Medicaid, public housing assistance, Veterans Pension, SNAP, SSI, or another assistance programs.
- Price increases considerably after the promotional period
- Term contracts required with some plans for the best deals
Summary:Pricing
If you’re part of an eligible low-income household, you can get Xfinity’s Internet Essentials plan for as little as $9.95 per month. This plan has download speeds up to 50 Mbps. If that’s not fast enough, you can still upgrade to the 100 Mbps plan for just $29.95 monthly. Either way, it has no credit checks, long-term contracts, cancellation fees, or equipment rental fees. This program also offers an option to purchase a computer for $149.99 (plus tax).
» Dive Deeper: Xfinity Internet Review
If you don’t qualify for Internet Essentials, Xfinity still makes it easy to build the cheap internet plan you want. We loved how easy it was to customize a plan to meet our needs. We simply picked the type of service we liked (we could bundle right from the start) and then chose the download speed and features we wanted. While prices and plan availability can vary a lot more by location with Xfinity than with, say, Cox or AT&T, we still found the offerings in our area very affordable. For context, we were purchasing a plan in Washington state.
When shopping, we could choose from seven internet plans, with prices ranging from $19.99 for a download speed of 150 Mbps to $100 monthly for 2 Gbps. Many of these plans could be bundled with an eligible Xfinity mobile plan to save between $20 and $45 per month on the internet cost.
Internet customers can add the Xfinity Flex 4K streaming service at no additional charge. We love freebies! Xfinity Flex lets you view all your streaming apps in one place. It comes with an easy-to-use voice remote. We could log in to our favorite apps, like Netflix and Max, and use the voice remote to navigate. That is perfect for those with arthritis or mobility issues that make using remotes difficult.
Using Xfinity's voice remote
All plans charge a one-time $15 activation fee and equipment rental fees ranging from $15 to $25 per month. Regardless of what you choose, Xfinity’s plans offer excellent value. Xfinity is also a great option for older adults who want to bundle internet, mobile, TV, home phone, or home security services. Remember that the plan prices above apply to the first year or two of service; prices may increase substantially after the specified time frame.
» Learn About: Best Home Security Systems for Seniors
Prefer to prepay? No worries! Xfinity offers a prepaid internet plan with no annual contract, deposit, or hidden fees. For $45, you’ll receive 30 days of internet coverage with download speeds up to 50 Mbps. There is a one-time modem charge of $35.
Speed and Reliability
All plans charge a one-time $15 activation fee and equipment rental fees ranging from $15 to $25 per month. Regardless of what you choose, Xfinity’s plans offer excellent value. Xfinity is also a great option for older adults who want to bundle internet, mobile, TV, home phone, or home security services. Remember that the plan prices above apply to the first year or two of service; prices may increase substantially after the specified time frame.
Running a speed test using Xfinity internet
Service Area
Along with Spectrum, Xfinity has one of the largest networks on this list! It’s available in 41 states plus the District of Columbia. Some states with the biggest Xfinity footprints include Virginia, Maryland, and Massachusetts. Unlike AT&T, Xfinity offers cable internet in most areas of its network. As a whole, cable internet tends to be slower and less reliable than fiber internet, though this wasn’t our experience when testing out Xfinity.
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4. Spectrum InternetⓇ - Best Coverage Areas
What we like most
- Plans with and without data caps and contracts
- Speeds up to 1 Gbps
- Internet and TV bundles
Spectrum InternetⓇOverview:Overview
Spectrum’s prices start at $49.99 per month for a download speed of up to 300 Mbps, with even better prices for low-income customers. The provider has far-reaching coverage, serving more than 110 million customers in 42 states. Customers can bank on reliable internet access at an affordable price. And when it comes to affordable internet, Spectrum has great deals for low-income households — just $19.99 per month for Spectrum Internet Assist.
» Helpful Resource: The 5 Best Budgeting Apps for Seniors
Before the ACP ran out of funds, Spectrum Internet Assist was free for eligible households. Still, $19.99 is pretty reasonable for a basic 30 Mbps internet plan, though you could pay the same price for Xfinity’s 150 Mbps plan in some areas.
What we really liked about Spectrum is the free modem and antivirus software included with every plan. That helped reduce the additional fees that typically come with internet service. That said, we weren’t as impressed with the customer service. Spectrum now offers 24/7 live customer service via phone and chat, but it took us around 30 minutes to get a human on the line in some instances. We had better luck with the chat feature in the mobile app, which is perfect for quick communication. We also love Spectrum’s notifications regarding service outages through the company’s mobile app. It offers outage alerts and an expected timeline for when service will return, though we found that outages are infrequent.
Chatting with Spectrum Support
Spectrum offers the widest coverage out of the providers listed here. Customers can save without sacrificing reliability with bundling discounts, free antivirus software, and a free modem. Even though Spectrum’s customer support can be a little frustrating to get in touch with, we still consider it one of the best affordable internet providers on the market.
Pros & Cons:Pros About Spectrum InternetⓇ
- A starting price of under $19.99 for Spectrum Internet Assist
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- No contract
- No data caps on internet usage
- Free modem and antivirus software
- No termination fees
- Option to bundle internet, TV, and mobile
Cons About Spectrum InternetⓇ
- To qualify for Spectrum Internet Assist, enrollees must participate in SSI
- Customer service is not always easy to reach
Summary:Pricing
Through Spectrum Internet Assist, eligible low-income households can receive discounted internet for $19.99 per month with download speeds up to 30 Mbps, antivirus software, and a modem — all at no additional charge.
The next cheapest internet plan for older adults who don’t qualify for Internet Assist is Spectrum Internet, which costs $49.99 for the first 12 months, with download speeds up to 300 Mbps. The next step up is Internet Ultra, which costs $69.99 monthly for 24 months and has download speeds up to 500 Mbps. Lastly, you can get the 1 Gbps plan for $79.99 monthly for 24 months, which is about the same price as AT&T’s 1 Gbps plan. Keep in mind that these are all introductory rates with AutoPay. Prices and speeds can vary by location, and rates will rise after the introductory periods.
» Related Reading: 2024 Spectrum Internet Review
Unlike every other provider on this list, Spectrum doesn’t charge rental fees for equipment, though most of the plans still come with a $30 activation fee. In general, Spectrum’s prices and fees were pretty reasonable, especially compared to all the fees tacked on by AT&T. Even if you ignore the equipment fees, Spectrum’s 300 Mbps plan is still at least $5 cheaper per month than the comparable plan from AT&T.
Speed and Reliability
We opted for the 500 Mbps plan. Like Xfinity, we didn’t receive anywhere near these advertised speeds during our testing experience. On average, we recorded a download speed of 243 Mbps, about half of the advertised speed for our plan. It was still more than enough to stream, surf the web, game, and connect several devices, but we would have liked to see speeds closer to what was advertised. Fortunately, we didn’t experience any outages during our test, so we can say that Spectrum offers reliable service.
Our Spectrum speed test
Service Area
Spectrum offers the largest coverage area of any provider on this list, though Xfinity comes in a close second. Spectrum is available in 42 states, with substantial coverage in states like South Carolina, North Carolina, and Michigan. It offers both cable and fiber in many areas. While it has fiber internet in far more locations than Xfinity, Spectrum’s fiber network is small compared to AT&T’s network.
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5. CenturyLink - Best for Tech-Savvy Seniors
What we like most
- No long-term contracts
- Bundles available
- Widespread availability
CenturyLinkOverview:Overview
CenturyLink’s prices start at around $55 monthly for speeds up to 100 Mbps. While this is still fairly affordable, you could receive three times the speed for the same price with AT&T’s starter fiber plan.
CenturyLink is part of Lumen, a multinational technology company. CenturyLink offers high-speed internet, phone, and TV services in 16 states. Tech-savvy customers can avoid costly installation fees using CenturyLink’s free self-installation kit. Budget planning is a breeze, as there are no promotional periods with impending price hikes.
Money Tip: Customers in Montana, North Dakota, and Washington state can access CenturyLink’s Simply Unlimited Internet plan for just $50 per month!
What you see is what you get with CenturyLink’s transparent pricing. Tech-savvy seniors can avoid additional fees with self-installation and paperless billing. While CenturyLink offers fiber internet and download speeds up to 940 Mbps, these options are not available in all areas. Before choosing CenturyLink (or any other provider), confirm the speeds and prices for your ZIP code. We will say that CenturyLink’s customer service is lacking. Representatives are available Monday through Friday only and can take more than an hour to connect.
» Learn More: CenturyLink Internet Review
We’re big fans of CenturyLink’s online portal and mobile app. It makes it easy to manage your plan in one place. Using the portal, we could run a speed test, share the Wi-Fi password, restart the modem, and view or pay our bill.
Viewing our CenturyLink account
Pros & Cons:Pros About CenturyLink
- No temporary promotional rates
- Free self-installation kit
- No annual contract
- No data overage charges
- Option to bundle internet and phone
Cons About CenturyLink
- Rental or purchase of a CenturyLink modem may be required
- Customer service and tech support are available by phone Monday through Friday only
- Internet speed varies greatly by location
Summary:Pricing
CenturyLink’s internet plans start at $55 monthly (or $50 in select locations). There are no promotional rates that expire after a few months, which we really appreciate; customers don’t have to worry about busting their budget or future price hikes. One downside to CenturyLink is that it doesn’t offer many plan options. When we chose a plan, we could only pick between the Simply Unlimited Internet plan (100 Mbps) for $55 per month and the Fiber Internet plan (940 Mbps) for $75 per month. We would have liked to see more options in between, as well as cheaper plans with slower speeds, like the 50 Mbps plan from AT&T.
Pro Tip: If your internet plan has a data cap and you’re connecting additional items such as hearing aids, a medical alert device, or a home security system, stay on top of your data consumption.
In addition to its traditional internet plans, CenturyLink’s prepaid internet offers the simplicity of month-to-month pricing, no long-term contract, and no required credit check or deposit. CenturyLink’s prepaid prices can vary by location, like the postpaid plans.
Speed and Reliability
During testing, we found that CenturyLink’s 100 Mbps plan offered a reliable, fast connection. We recorded an average download speed of about 85 Mbps. At this speed, we could check emails, hop on a Zoom call, play online games, watch YouTube videos, and surf the web on multiple devices. One of our tech experts has had CenturyLink for four years, and they’ve had only a few short outages in that period. We experienced one brief outage while testing CenturyLink, which is something we can’t say about any other provider. Thankfully, it lasted only about 10 minutes, after which time our internet was back on track!
Running a speed test with CenturyLink
Service Area
CenturyLink offers the smallest service area on this list. That said, it is available to millions of customers across 16 states, including Minnesota, Oregon, and Nevada. Like AT&T, CenturyLink has invested heavily in fiber internet infrastructure, helping to bring faster internet to more people, particularly those who live in the Pacific Northwest. We can attest to this, as our tech team tested out CenturyLink in Washington state.
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6. T-Mobile Home Internet - Best for Rural Customers
What we like most
- 5G coverage
- No annual contracts
- Affordable monthly rates
Overview:
Using our T-Mobile Gateway
T-Mobile has expanded to all 50 states and Puerto Rico since their home internet launch in 2021. The provider offers wireless internet with unlimited data, competitive pricing, no annual contracts, and download speeds range from 72 to 245 Mbps. The Home Internet Unlimited plan starts at $60 per month with AutoPay, which is around $10 more than Cox’s starting prices, and $5 more than CenturyLink’s. To bring costs down on your monthly bill, you can bundle your internet and phone service. Customers can also enjoy great perks like T-Mobile Tuesdays, which provide weekly discounts and other fun promotions.
» Learn More: 2024 T-Mobile internet review
T-Mobile makes it easy to get everything up and running. We visited our local T-Mobile store, where friendly and patient representatives gave us everything we needed to set up our service ourselves. We just plugged our device in near a window, and we were good to go! Everything was up and running in just 30 minutes. Unlike most of the other providers on our list, including AT&T and Xfinity, T-Mobile doesn’t charge equipment fees. So even though the provider’s starting rates are slightly higher, you could potentially save on your monthly bill.
Having T-Mobile Home Internet means you get internet with a gateway that connects to a cellular signal. While speeds vary, T-Mobile’s reach compared to fiber or cable providers is extensive. Plus, you can strap yourself in and take it for a test drive with a free 15-day trial.
Pros & Cons:Pros About T-Mobile Home Internet
- Plans starting at $60 per month with AutoPay
- No annual contracts
- No data caps
- No monthly equipment charges and easy installation
- Great perks like gift cards through T-Mobile Tuesdays
- Discounts for bundling phone and internet
Cons About T-Mobile Home Internet
- Slower speeds and inconsistent availability
- One-time $35 device connection fee
- Mobile users have priority over home internet customers
Summary:Pricing
T-Mobile has two plans to choose from with no annual contracts. The Home Internet Unlimited plan costs $60 per month with AutoPay, and Home Internet Plus costs $70 per month with AutoPay. Larger households may benefit from Home Internet Plus, which comes with the WiFi Gateway and a Mesh Access Point. For either plan, customers must pay a one-time $35 device connection fee. That’s the extent of the fees, though, as there are no equipment rental or early termination fees.
Pro Tip: Just for signing up online for T-Mobile Home Internet, you will score a $200 virtual prepaid Mastercard.
While T-Mobile doesn’t have a senior-specific discount, if you buy a T-Mobile cellular plan, you can save $10 to $20 a month on your home internet service. Adding a T-Mobile 55+ package to your T-Mobile Home Internet plan can reduce the price of your internet bill. We were able to save a decent amount by bundling, and our plan even came with a subscription to Apple TV.
Speed and Reliability
While nowhere near the 2 GB speeds offered by Xfinity’s internet plans, T-Mobile 5G Home Internet download speeds of 72 to 245 Mbps are still fast enough to connect multiple devices at once. When we tested out the speeds, we experienced some variability, sometimes as low as 40 Mbps and up to 417 Mbps. We were pleasantly surprised to see speeds well over the advertised speeds up to 245 Mbps.
Taking a speed test using T-Mobile's internet connection
Where you set up matters. T-Mobile uses its own “5G Gateway” device with Wi-Fi 6 technology (it has twice the channel width and a speedier connection than older technology). The closer you are to the small tower, the faster your speed. When our gateway was at one end of the house and we took a video call at the other end, we experienced very slow and inconsistent speeds. Luckily, the equipment is easy to move, so you can place it nearby. If you live in a large house, we’d recommend upgrading to Home Internet Plus, which comes with a Mesh Access Point to expand your coverage and offer more consistent speeds.
An advantage of T-Mobile is that there’s unlimited data, so your speeds won’t get throttled, and there’s no overage fees. While it’s good for users in more rural areas, if you want higher speeds you may prefer a cable or fiber internet provider. For comparison, AT&T’s Internet 1000 plan gives you fast downloads up to 940 Mbps for about the same price as T-Mobile’s $60 per month with AutoPay plan.
Service Area
T-Mobile’s service area is pretty large and has the fastest nationwide 5G network coverage, but relies on 4G LTE to help cover its home internet service area (we experienced no outages in our testing). T-Mobile now covers 326 million people in more than 9,100 cities and towns across all 50 states and Puerto Rico, per a T-Mobile representative. Cox, for comparison, falls short with coverage in only 18 states.
15 Hidden Internet Rates and Fees to Look Out For
The budget-friendly senior internet plan you just signed up for can turn costly after surprise fees, taxes, rental costs, and other charges are tacked on. According to the 2020 Cost of Connectivity study by New America’s Open Technology Institute, internet customers face overly complicated pricing structures, poorly itemized fees, and a lack of transparency.3
Some fees, such as for the federal Universal Service Fund (USF) and Regulatory Cost Recovery Charge, aren’t government-mandated. It means that internet companies can decide how much to charge their users.
In any case, don’t let these unexpected fees break the bank. Before choosing the best internet provider for your budget, ask for detailed information on your monthly internet costs. Knowing the charges beforehand will help you avoid an inflated internet bill.
Ask your potential providers how these costs factor into your bill:
- Activation fee
- Installation fee
- Equipment rental fee
- Early termination fee
- Data overage fee
- Internet Cost Recovery fee
- USF fee
- Late payment fee
- Administrative fee
- Paper statement fee
- Convenience fee for payments over the phone
- Service plan upgrade fee
- Unreturned equipment fee
- Returned check fee
- State and local sales tax
Cheap Internet for Low-Income Seniors
Struggling to pay your internet bill? If you’re an older adult receiving veterans benefits, Medicaid, SSI, or SNAP, you may be eligible for free or low-cost internet through the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
- Lifeline: Eligible low-income subscribers may receive up to a $9.25 monthly internet service discount through Lifeline. Eligible subscribers on tribal lands may receive up to $34.25 per month.
- Affordable Connectivity Program: The ACP used to offer a discount of up to $30 per month on internet for eligible households and up to $75 per month for homes on qualifying tribal lands. While the program has run out of funds, it’s unclear whether past beneficiaries will continue to receive partial benefits after April 2024.
How to Find Free Internet Access
There are plenty of locations across the U.S. with free Wi-Fi! Your local library and senior center are excellent options if you need access to a computer and the internet. If you have a laptop or smartphone, you can use free Wi-Fi hotspots in cafes, hotels, airports, and restaurants. For example, McDonald’s and Starbucks are two major chains offering free hotspots at nearly all locations.
Caution: Whether you’re using the internet in your home or at your local coffee shop, identity theft protection is important. Find out which identity theft protection services our experts recommend.
Don’t forget to take advantage of your internet provider’s free hotspots. They’re easy to find; just visit your provider’s website and check the Wi-Fi hotspot map.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cheap Internet for Seniors
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How do I find cheap internet?
Your first step is to find the internet providers in your area. Then, contact each provider and ask if they offer a senior internet plan, senior discount, or low-cost coverage.
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How much does internet coverage cost each month?
You’ll find that cheap internet prices vary by internet type, speed, and provider. The cheapest internet option is to find an ISP that provides free service through the ACP.
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Why did my internet bill go up?
It’s common for providers to offer an introductory or promotional rate. Once that rate expires, your monthly internet cost may spike. Before you choose a plan, ask what the post-promo monthly cost will be.
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What’s the difference between fiber, cable, and DSL?
Fiber internet uses fiber-optic cable to transmit information through light rather than electricity. Cable internet uses the same line (or at least the same type of line) your cable TV service uses. DSL (digital subscriber line) internet also uses telephone lines to transmit data.
J.D. Power. (2023). AT&T Ranks #1 in Customer Satisfaction from J.D. Power
FCC. (2024). Affordable Connectivity Program
Consumer Reports. (2020). Save on Monthly Internet Fees