Hidden fees can mean anything from service charges, equipment rentals, to activation, shipping or cancellation fees.When signing up for a new home internet, clarity into all the potential extra costs is the key to a good experience with your internet service provider (ISP).Our experts compiled all the fees with the top 12 ISPs in the U.S.
so you can easily comparison shop, without having to wade through all the fine print. Jump to a specific provider: AT&T CenturyLink Cox Frontier Hughesnet Kinetic Mediacom Optimum Spectrum T-Mobile Verizon Fios Xfinity Internet fees by provider ProviderEquipment rental feeData overage feeLate payment feeCancellation feeSet-up and installation fee AT&TNoneFiber: $0 DSL: $10.00 per 50 GBUp to $9.99None$0 – $150.00 professional installation CenturyLink$0 – $17.00/mo.None$5.00+None$0 – $149.00 Cox$0 – $15.00/mo.$10.00 per 50 GB$5.00NoneUp to $100.00 FrontierNoneNone$10.00 and/or 1.5% per month$0 – $300.00Free fiber installation; up to $100.00 for DSL Hughesnet$9.99 – $19.99/mo.; $99.00 lease setup feeNoneNoneUp to $400.00Up to $199.99 Kinetic$0 – $10.99/mo.None% of balanceNone$0 – $50.00/mo.MediacomIncluded, then $15.00/mo.None$10.00NoneUp to $75.00 installation; $25.00 activation fee Optimum$5.00/mo.+None$10.00 per billNone$0 – $100.00 Spectrum$0 – $10.00/mo.None$5.00+None$0 – $65.00 T-MobileNoneNoneNoneNone$35.00 device connection fee Verizon FiosNoneNone1.5% of bill or $9.00None$99.00 XfinityNoneNoneUp to $10.00None$0 – $100.00+ Top six questions to reveal your internet provider’s hidden fees Hidden fees or extra costs can add 10% or more to your monthly internet cost, so here are the questions that will help you uncover any additional charges before you sign up.What are the equipment (modem, router, gateway, Wi-Fi extenders, streaming boxes) fees I am responsible for? Can I use my own equipment to avoid these charges? This inquiry will allow you to budget for extra equipment costs.
Some providers discourage you from using your own equipment (since their tech support will not cover third-party devices), but if you choose to provide your own equipment, double-check on compatibility requirements before buying Some ISPs offer free equipment for a limited time, so if equipment is included, verify for how long What are the installation, activation or shipping costs? Standard installation or self-installation (where the provider mails the equipment to you and you set it up yourself) is often free of charge.However, even with ‘free installation’ offers, you should still confirm if there are any activation, device connection and/or shipping and handling charges that may be added to your first bill Is this a contract? What happens if I end my agreement early or need to move? No-contract internet providers are the norm nowadays, but satellite internet and Wi-Fi through your mobile provider often include contracts with early termination fees (ETFs).If applicable, ensure that you know the length of your agreement and the cost to end your term early (often a pro-rated amount based on the remaining contract time) Does my plan include a data limit or overage fees? As with contracts, most ISPs have done away with data caps to stay competitive within the market.
Satellite internet and mobile hotspots are the most likely to still have data limitations and overage charges, but it’s always a good idea to check with any new internet deal Are there any other taxes, surcharges, network fees, recovery fees or any other charges that will be added on my bill? Confirm whether there are any other costs that will show up on your statement When does my promotional rate expire and what will I pay after the promo ends? New customer internet rates typically end after 12 or 24 months, although some providers have ‘price for life’ guarantees that keep your rate stable, as long as your don’t change your plan AT&T internet fees and costs $0: AT&T modem and router rental fee – AT&T internet plans include a Wi-Fi gateway (modem-router combo) at no extra cost $0 – $150.00: Installation fees – New service may come with free professional installation, or cost up to $150.00, depending on your plan and area $0: Data limit and usage fees – AT&T Fiber plans come with unlimited data.Limited areas with AT&T DSL have a 1 TB data cap with an option to pay an additional $30.00/mo.for unlimited data or $10.00 per additional 50 GB $9.99 – $30.00: Late payment and Non-Sufficient Funds fees – Expect to pay an AT&T late payment fee of up to $10.00, according to AT&T Terms of Service, or up to $30.00 if a payment is returned to you, such as a bounced check $0: AT&T cancellation fees – AT&T Fiber, DSL and AT&T Air carry no early termination fees, but failing to return your AT&T modem after ending service incurs a $150+ charge, and AT&T mobile plans that include a new cell phone may require you to pay off your device balance if you terminate early CenturyLink internet fees and costs $0 – $17.00/mo.: CenturyLink modem and router rental fee – A gateway is included with some plans; otherwise the rental fee is $17.00/mo., or a one-time $200 fee.
You have the option to purchase a CenturyLink-compatible modem and router $25.00 – $149.00: Installation fees – Self-installation is $25.00 (for tech to connect outside lines only), while a full professional installation is up to $149.00 $0: Data limit and usage fees – All CenturyLink internet plans come with unlimited data $5.00+: Late payment fees – Late payment fees vary by type of service and location $0: CenturyLink cancellation fees – CenturyLink’s no contract plans have no term commitment or cancellation fees.But if you have a CenturyLink bundle, you could be charged ETFs for TV services, depending on your specific plan Cox internet fees and costs $0 – $15.00/mo.: Cox modem and router rental fee – The Cox Panoramic Wifi Gateway is included at no extra charge for two to three years, depending on your plan, then costs the standard rate of $15.00/mo.You can also purchase your own Cox compatible equipment $0 – $100.00: Installation fees – Self-installation carries no charges; professional installation is $100 $10.00 – $50.00/mo.: Data limit and usage fees – Cox internet plans come with 1 TB of data; going over that limit results in a $10.00 fee for every 50 GB.
You can add 500 GB for $30.00 or unlimited data for an extra $50.00/mo.$5.00+: Late payment fees – Late payment fees vary based on the bill amount; returned payment fees are $25.00 $0: Cox cancellation fees – Cox internet has no annual contract.Equipment must be returned within 15 days to avoid a charge of up to $200 Frontier internet fees and costs $0: Frontier modem and router rental fee – An Amazon eero Pro 7 router is included with all fiber plans; additional Wi-Fi extenders are $10.00/mo. $0 – $100: Installation fees – Frontier Fiber includes free installation; DSL installation costs up to $100.00 $0: Data limit and usage fees – Frontier Fiber is unlimited, so no data caps or overage fees to worry about $10.00: Late payment fees – Up to $10.00 per each late payment.
Frontier also charges up to $4.50/mo.for a printed bill, so opt in to paperless billing $0+: Frontier cancellation fees – Most Frontier internet plans are no-contract/no ETF plans.However, if you sign up for a plan with a gift card promotion, there is a pro-rated ETF within the first 12 months.
Unreturned equipment (up to $500.00) and equipment restocking fee ($50.00) can also add to final charges Hughesnet internet fees and costs $9.99+: Hughesnet modem and router rental fee – Hughesnet modem/router rental costs $9.99 – $19.99/mo., depending on plan.Option to purchase your equipment for a one-time cost of $100.00 – $449.99.There is also a one-time lease set-up fee of $99.00 with certain plans $0 – $199.99: Installation fees – Standard installation is included with some plans, or costs up to $199.99 $0: Data limit and usage fees – Hughesnet internet is technically unlimited, but your internet speeds are reduced once you go over your plan’s monthly threshold of high-speed data.
You can add data tokens starting at $9.00 $0: Late payment fees – Hughesnet does not charge late payment fees $5.99/mo.+: Norton 360 Deluxe – On certain plans, Norton security software is included for one month, then charged at the standard monthly rate Up to $400: Hughesnet cancellation fees – Hughesnet service has a pro-rated ETF up to $400.00.After the first 90 days of service, your Hughesnet cancellation fee is reduced by $15.00/mo.for each month of active service Kinetic internet fees and costs $0 – $10.99/mo.: Kinetic modem and router rental fee – Kinetic equipment rental is $10.99/mo., although a gateway modem-router is included with certain higher-speed plans $5.00 – $10.00: Kinetic Secure – Kinetic plans may auto-select a security add-on, so make sure to opt-out if you don’t need this feature $0 – $35.00+: Installation fees – Free installation is offered with many Kinetic internet plans; some plans may have a one-time $35.00 installation or $50.00 activation fee $0: Data limit and cap fees – Kinetic internet plans don’t have data caps or restrictions Varies: Late payment fees – A late payment on your Kinetic internet bill is a percentage of your balance due, typically 1.5% $0: Kinetic cancellation fees – Kinetic’s support page states no cancellation or early termination fees Mediacom internet fees and costs $15.00/mo.: Mediacom modem and router rental fee – Plans may include equipment for a limited time, then renting Mediacom equipment is $15.00/mo., or purchase your own Mediacom-compatible modem $100: Installation fees – A one-time installation fee of $75.00 and a $25.00 activation fee is required $0: Data limit and usage fees – Mediacom internet is unlimited; usage over 1 TB will result in reduced speeds until the next billing cycle Varies: Late payment fees – Late payment or returned payment fees vary by plan and location.
Mediacom has a 10-day grace period before services are shut off $0: Mediacom cancellation fees – Mediacom plans are no-contract, no ETF deals Optimum internet fees and costs $5+: Optimum modem and router rental fee – Optimum plans offer reduced-price equipment for new customers, with monthly rates increasing after 6–12 months $0 – $100.00: Installation fees – Optimum self-installation is free, but professional installation costs up to $100.00 $0: Data limit and usage fees – Optimum internet plans come with unlimited data $10.00: Late payment fees – A $10.00 fee is charged after a bill is two days past due $0: Optimum cancellation fees – Optimum does not have contracts or ETFs Spectrum internet fees and costs $0 – $10.00/mo.: Spectrum modem and router rental fee – Some Spectrum internet plans include a gateway (modem/router combo), while other plans have a $10.00/mo.Wi-Fi fee.Additional WiFi Pods (e.g., Wi-Fi extenders) start at $3.00 each $0 – $65.00: Installation fees – Spectrum plans have either free installation, a $30.00 activation or $65.00 professional installation (but not both) $0: Data limit and usage fees – Spectrum internet plans don’t have data limits or data overage fees $5+: Late payment fees – Auto-pay failure is $5.00, additional late-payment fees vary by plan and location $0: Spectrum cancellation fees – No contracts or ETFs with Spectrum; however, your last bill is not prorated, meaning you’re still responsible for the whole month’s bill, even if you cancel on day one of your billing cycle T-Mobile internet fees and costs $0: T-Mobile modem and router rental fee – Equipment is included at no extra cost.
Unreturned equipment at end of service costs up to $370.00 $35.00: Installation fees – While T-Mobile has free installation, a $35.00 device connection charge is added to your first bill $0: Data limit and usage fees – T-Mobile internet plans have unlimited data $0: Late payment fees – T-Mobile doesn’t have a late payment fee, and will help you set up a payment arrangement if you are within 30 days of the due date $0: T-Mobile cancellation fees – No contracts or ETFs with any T-Mobile internet plan Verizon Fios internet fees and costs $0: Verizon modem and router rental fee – Equipment is included with all Verizon plans $99.00: Installation fees – Verizon Fios installation is $99.00, and a deposit up to $250.00 may be required $0: Data limit and usage fees – Verizon Fios internet plans have unlimited data Up to $9.00/mo.: Late payment fees – Verizon’s late fee is 1.5% of the unpaid balance, or $9.00, whichever is greater $0: Verizon Fios cancellation fees – Verizon Fios plan have no contract or ETFs Xfinity internet fees and costs $0: Xfinity modem and router rental fee – An Xfinity Gateway modem/router combo is included.Upgraded equipment with Wi-Fi extenders starts at $15.00/mo.You can also use your own Xfinity-compatible router $0 – $100+: Installation fees – Self-installation is included at no charge with most plans.
Professional installation costs up to $100.00.Plans with one line of Xfinity Mobile included will have a $25 mobile activation fee per line, as well as additional surcharges and recovery fees (typically $5+/mo.) that vary by location $0: Data limit and usage fees – All Xfinity internet plans come with unlimited data Up to $10.00/mo.: Late payment fees – Expect late payment fees up $10.00, although fees can vary by state $0: Xfinity cancellation fees – No contracts or ETFs with new Xfinity internet plans Internet fees FAQs Do internet providers have a cancellation fee? Few ISPs have contracts anymore, but satellite internet plans and deals with promotional gift cards are a few scenarios where there are still early termination fees involved.How can I avoid extra internet fees? The best way to avoid extra fees is to provide your own equipment (if your ISP charges a rental fee), and avoid late or returned bill payments.
If your provider has a contract, carefully consider if you want to commit to the term length before signing up.And finally, watch out for overage fees with data-capped plans.For researchers and journalists If you would like to know more about this topic, we can assist you.
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