How Much for High Speed Internet Costs?

The average high-speed internet price for 500-1000 Mbps in the US is $50-$80 per month. The cost of the internet you pay depends on several factors, such as your speed requirements, the type of connection you choose and available in your region, data caps, annual contracts, etc. It is also important to know the good internet speed.

While Fiber-optic is the most popular high-speed internet option (with speeds up to 10 Gbps), it is not readily available in all regions. Thus people choose Cable internet, DSL or satellite internet as alternatives in rural or remote areas. So, how much should you ideally pay for high-speed internet? For this, I have prepared this guide mentioning all the crucial factors you need to keep in mind. Let’s check it out.

How Much is High Speed Internet Per Month

The internet type you choose primarily decides how much you will pay for a high-speed connection. Different internet types have different maximum speeds. Let’s see the maximum speed and average data price of all such connection types:

Best High-Speed Internet Providers

Based on these connection types, here are some best high-speed internet providers in terms of affordability, availability, and customer satisfaction:

Here are the details about these ISPs along with their contract terms, data caps, etc., to get better idea of the actual cost of high-speed data plans for various connection types:

1. AT&T

AT&T is the leading Fiber and DSL internet provider in the  US. The provider offers the fastest speed fiber plans with up to 10 Gbps. It also provides DSL services in areas where fiber internet connectivity is low, with speeds up to 100 Mbps.

Plans start at $55 per month for 300 Mbps and go up to $180 for 5 Gbps high-speed fiber data. For DSL connections, the plan starts at $55 per month for speeds up to 100 Mbps.

All fiber plans have following perks to give you best value for money:

• Equal upload and download speeds
• Unlimited data (no data caps)
• ActiveArmor internet security
• No annual contracts
• Equipment fees

To further save some bucks, you can apply for its Affordable Connectivity Program to get monthly credits (subsidy) of $30.

2. Verizon

Verizon is another popular fiber internet provider in the US, offering cheap high-speed plans. The plan starts as low as $24.99 per month for a 300 Mbps plan and provides a maximum speed of up to 940 Mbps (1 Gig plan) for $64.99 per month.

All the plans come with the following perks:

• Symmetric upload and download speed
• No data caps
• 2-4 year price guarantee (no annual contracts)
• Router Rental Fees Included
• No setup charges

The Affordable Connectivity Program is also available for Verizon internet plans to get a monthly $30 credit/subsidy as an eligible user.

3. Xfinity

Xfinity is the popular cable internet provider and is best suited for heavy-data users with speeds up to 6Gbps. However, the 6 Gig plan has recently been launched by the company for limited regions in the US for $299.99 per month.

In areas where the 6 Gbps plan is unavailable yet, users can go for other fiber plans offering speeds between 400-1200 Mbps, with price ranges from $40 to $80 per month. These plans comes with the following benefits:

• Unlimited Data
• Free Getting Started Kit (includes one-time installation charges)
• No-term contract for 24 months

However, the ISP charges an additional equipment fee for each plan. The 6 Gbps plan comes with a 2-year annual contract and charges early termination fees along with other applicable charges like Equipment, Installation, taxes and fees.

So, overall the ISP offers high-speed, reliable internet plans, the additional charges increase the overall cost of all data plans. However, users can apply for the Affordable Connectivity program to get up to $30 monthly credits as a subsidy.

4. Google Fiber

Although Google Fiber is the newer high-speed data provider, it is one of the best around. The ISP offers two simple Gig plans starting at $70 per month with upload speeds up to 1 Gbps and download speeds up to 2 Gbps. Not only this, the other benefits the provider offers with both 1 Gig and 2 Gig plans are:

• Equal upload and download speed
• Google Mesh WiFi equipment included
• No data caps, no throttling
• No annual contracts
• No hidden charges
• 1 TB free cloud storage
• Professional installation includes (only in 2 Gig plan)

5. Spectrum

Spectrum is a widely available cable internet provider in the US offering high speeds up to 1 Gbps. Although the prices are comparatively higher for a 1 Gbps plan – costing around $89.99 per month, the ISP offer benefits like:

• Free Modem
• No Data caps
• Free Antivirus Software
• Self-Installation Kit
• Unlimited Mobile Line
• No annual contracts

Apart from its 1 Gbps plan, the lower internet plans offer speeds between 300 to 500 Mbps at a monthly cost of $49.99-$69.99, with all the above mentioned benefits. Also, the Affordable Connectivity Program is further available to reduce the cost of internet monthly by up to $30.

6. Viasat

Viasat is a popular satellite internet provider offering maximum speeds of up to 100 Mbps. Although 100 Mbps generally does not come under high-speed internet, for rural areas where internet connectivity is poor, 100 Mbps works fine for 4-5 devices with basic data needs.

The plans are significantly more expensive than cable or fiber internet, costing around $199.99 per month for 150-300GB of high-speed data (100 Mbps speed). All data plans come with monthly high-speed data caps, after which users get standard unlimited data to browse the internet at a lower speed.

The per GB internet cost of Viasat is $1 with the following benefits:

• 2-year price lock guarantee
• Built-in WiFi
• Unlimited standard data

The one-time installation fees or equipment lease fees ($5 per month) are not included in the plan price. The ISP also provides the Affordable Connectivity Program to offer a monthly subsidy of up to $30.

7. Frontier

Frontier offers both DSL and high-speed fiber internet services at affordable prices, best suitable for gamers. The Gig plans start at $74.99 per month and offer speeds up to 2 Gbps at a $149.99 monthly cost. Those with fewer internet requirements can go for its 500 Mbps plan, starting at just $49.99 per month.

The plans come with the following benefits:

• Unlimited data (no data caps or overage charges)
• Free Amazon Eero WiFi Router
• No annual contracts
• Free expert installation
• Price Guarantee for 36 months (on Gig plans)
• Symmetric upload and download speeds (for 2 Gig plan)

Users can also opt for bundle packages to get free TV and phone services along with a data plan at an affordable cost, starting at $49.99 per month.

8. Cox

Cox is the third-biggest cable internet provider in the US, offering reliable high speeds of up to 1 Gbps. Its 250 Mbps plan starts at $49.99 per month, while the 500 Mbps plan costs $69.99 monthly.

The plan comes with limited (yet high & more than enough) monthly data. The ISP offers both 1-year agreement plans (charges early termination fees) and no annual contract plans at different prices.

For instance, its 1 Gig high-speed internet plan costs $99.99 per month with a 1-year term agreement and $109.99 per month with no-annual contracts or early termination fees. You will get a 1.2 TB monthly data limit with upload speeds of up to 35 Mbps. The users can pay an additional $10 for 50 GB of data for excess usage.

The plan comes with:

• 30-days money-back guarantee
• No charges for switching to other plans later
• Free McAfee Security Suite

Installation charges or equipment cost is not included in plans. The ISP also offers various bundle packages with premium add-ons and Affordable Connectivity Program benefits for eligible users.

9. CenturyLink

Centurylink is another widely available Fiber & DSL internet provider in the US, serving almost all major states and cities. The fiber internet plan offers speeds up to 940 Mbps, starting at $70 per month, while the DSL connection offers speeds up to 100 Mbps at $50 per month in poor connectivity regions.

The high-speed internet plans come with the following perks:

• Unlimited data (No overage charges)
• No bundles
• No annual contracts
• Free Modem and Installation (worth $329)

Factors Determining Your Internet Price

Do you know what factors affect your data plan cost? Here are all the crucial ones:

1. Equipment Purchase Cost or Rental Fees: Some ISP offers free Modem or WiFi router with their data plans to save the extra cost. While others charge around $10 per month equipment rental fees.
2. Installation or Activation Fees: Installation fees impact your data cost significantly. Usually, the one-time professional installation cost is somewhere between $50-$100. Only some providers offer free installation in their deal or bundle packages that you can try.
3. Internet Speed: Depending on how much speed you require, the cost of the data plan varies. If you have low-speed requirements, the 100 Mbps plan costs between $30-$50. For high-speed needs, a 500-1000 Mbps plan costs between $50-$100 per month.
4. Connection Type: Not all connections are equally fast. Different connection types offer different speeds; thus, you can pay internet costs based on the connection type. For high-speed fiber internet, the average price for internet monthly is $55. The cable internet costs around $60 monthly for 500-1000 Mbps. For DSL, the monthly average cost is $45 for up to 100 Mbps speed. However, the satellite costs $90 per month for 50-100 Mbps.
5. Price Hike after some months: Some data plans come with low introductory prices for a few months. After that, the price increases significantly. So, go for the one that comes with a few-year price guarantee to save additional cost.
6. Annual Contracts: Ideally, you should go for data plans with no annual contracts. Plans with no annual contracts charge no early termination fees to save extra costs.
7. Data Caps: Plans that come with limited monthly data or data caps charge overage fees upon exceeding the limit to increase the plan cost. Also, you can experience slower speeds (data throttling) after exceeding your monthly plan limit.
8. Late Payment Fees: The late fee adds to your plan cost for delayed payments. The amount can vary from $9 to $25 per late payment. The average late payment fee is $12.
9. FCC Universal Service Fund Fee: The fee is applicable to telecommunication companies to keep their services economical for US households. Currently, the FCC service fund fee is 33.4%.

How to Lower Your High-Speed Internet Cost?

To keep your data plan costs low, here are few effective tips you can try:

• Look for Plans with no annual contracts and Data Caps
• Check for Deals and Bundle Offers
• Use your own equipment
• Look for cheap internet providers, offering high-speed monthly plans under or around $50.
• Apply for FCC’s Affordable Connectivity Program
• Check for card offers
• Pay annually or quarterly to get better deals on high-speed plans

Frequently Asked Questions

Verdict

To pay the right amount for the right internet plan, first, evaluate your data needs. Then research the best internet types and ISPs available in your region. Compare their plans, check for their deals, contract terms and bundle packages and refer to this article to pick the right one.