Best Internet Deals for November + December 2023

The holidays are a great time to scoop up savings from Verizon, Xfinity, AT&T, T-Mobile Home Internet, Spectrum and other providers. We’ve put together a list of some of the best perks being offered. Not all the incentives will apply to your plan or account so check with the provider for details. You can also use this list for ideas on how to negotiate with another provider to see if they can match the incentives offered by a competitor.

BEST INTERNET DEALS NOVEMBER 2023

Provider	Deal
AT&T	VISA reward card worth up to $150 with qualifying fiber plans.
Xfinity	Free Unlimited Intro mobile line with the 400Mbps Fast plan. Free Wi-Fi equipment with 400Mbps or faster. $50 prepaid card for vets and military
CenturyLink	Up to $100 each for you and a new customer
Verizon Home Internet	$25/mo. off 5G Home Internet, LTE Home Internet, or a Fios internet plan. 2–4 year price guarantee. $50–$200 Verizon Gift Card. Free HomePod (valued at $299.99) or $200 Verizon Gift Card.
Frontier	Free installation. Free Amazon eero 6+, Pro 6, or 6E router. $200 Visa Reward Gift Card. $10/mo. off YouTube TV for a year.
Xtream Powered by Mediacom	Free installation
Spectrum	Free Unlimited Mobile line for 12 mos. Peacock Premium for 90 days free ($5.99/month after if you don’t cancel)
Astound Broadband	$75 off your bill. Free installation (use coupon FREEINSTALL). Depending on the plan you choose you may qualify for a free Max subscription for 12 months. 2 free months of service or $100 gift card
Optimum	$200–$300 Visa prepaid card on some plans. Free equipment. No annual contract. Free installation with online orders.
T-Mobile Home Internet	$50 Virtual Prepaid MasterCard. 65% off Nest Wifi routers. VIX Premium for one year. SiriusXM Streaming Platinum for 6 months. Pandora Premium for 4 months.

HOW TO GET THE BEST INTERNET DEALS

Internet customers are a hot ticket for providers and so if you see a deal from a competitor of a company you are considering signing up with, go ahead and ask them if they would match their competitor’s incentive. You have nothing to lose and potentially a free gift card or trial subscription to a premium app to gain.

Getting the best deal on internet service involves a combination of research, negotiation, and staying informed about current promotions and options. Here are some strategies you can use:

Ask the simple question: “What Else Can You Do For Me? It’s a polite way of asking a sales representative, or retention specialist, for a further incentive to do business with a company.

Research Local Providers: Identify all the internet service providers (ISPs) available in your area. This can vary significantly depending on your location. Websites like BroadbandNow or the FCC's National Broadband Map can help you find out which ISPs serve your area.

Compare Plans and Prices: Look at the plans each provider offers, including download/upload speeds, data caps, and prices. Don’t forget to check for any hidden fees like equipment rentals or installation charges.

Look for Promotions and Discounts: ISPs often have promotional deals for new customers, which can include reduced prices for the first year or freebies like a free modem or a subscription to a streaming service. Check each provider's website or call their sales line to find out about current promotions.

Negotiate with Your Current Provider: If you already have internet service and are looking for a better deal, call your current provider and negotiate. Mention competitive offers from other ISPs. Often, providers will offer discounts or better plans to retain customers. “What Else Can You Do For Me?” is a great question to ask.

Consider Bundling Services: If you also need cable TV or a home phone, consider bundling these services with your internet. Bundled packages can sometimes be cheaper than purchasing each service separately.

Check for Government Programs or Discounts: Depending on your income level or other factors, you might qualify for government programs that offer discounted internet service. The Affordable Connectivity Program provides a discount on internet service for eligible households.

Read Reviews and Ask for Recommendations: Check online reviews and ask neighbors or friends about their experiences with local ISPs. This can give you an idea of the reliability and customer service quality of each provider.

Consider Smaller or Local ISPs: Sometimes, smaller or local ISPs offer competitive rates and better customer service compared to the big national providers.

Look for Contract-Free Options: Some ISPs offer month-to-month plans without long-term contracts, which can be a good way to test a service without a long-term commitment.

Stay Informed About New Technologies and Providers: Keep an eye on new technologies (like 5G home internet) and new providers entering your market, as they can sometimes offer better deals to attract new customers.

WHY YOU SHOULD ASK ABOUT 5G INTERNET WHEN CHOOSING A PROVIDER

5G, or "Fifth Generation," refers to the latest generation of wireless technology for cellular networks and mobile communications. It represents a significant advancement over its predecessor, 4G (LTE), and is designed to provide faster data speeds, lower latency, and improved connectivity. But the deployment of 5G networks varies by region and operator. 5G isn’t available everywhere yet. Because 5G uses higher-frequency waves, it may require more extensive infrastructure deployment, including small cells and denser network coverage, to achieve its full potential. Here’s what you need to know:

Higher Data Speeds: One of the primary goals of 5G is to provide much faster data speeds compared to 4G. While 4G offers download speeds in the range of tens of megabits per second (Mbps), 5G can provide gigabit-level speeds, potentially reaching up to 10 Gbps in ideal conditions. This enables quicker downloads, smoother video streaming, and faster web browsing.

Lower Latency: Latency refers to the delay between sending a request and receiving a response. 5G aims to reduce latency significantly, often to just a few milliseconds. This low latency is crucial for applications that require real-time interaction, such as online gaming, autonomous vehicles, and remote surgery.

Improved Connectivity: 5G networks can support a more extensive and diverse range of connected devices simultaneously. This is essential for the growing Internet of Things (IoT) ecosystem, where various devices, from smartphones to smart appliances, require a reliable and high-speed connection.

Enhanced Capacity: 5G networks use higher-frequency radio waves, including millimeter waves (mmWave), which offer more extensive bandwidth. This increased capacity allows for a more significant number of devices to connect to the network without causing congestion.

Network Slicing: 5G introduces the concept of "network slicing," which allows network operators to create virtual networks tailored to specific use cases. This means that a single physical 5G network can be divided into multiple virtual networks, each optimized for different applications, such as industrial automation, augmented reality, or emergency services.

Improved Energy Efficiency: 5G technologies are designed to be more energy-efficient than their predecessors. This is crucial for prolonging the battery life of mobile devices and reducing the environmental impact of network infrastructure.

How it Will Change Our Lives: 5G opens up possibilities for a wide range of applications beyond traditional mobile communications. It can enable smart cities, autonomous vehicles, telemedicine, augmented and virtual reality experiences, and more.