How to Save Money on Broadband: 9 Different Ways You Can Try!

Are you in a financial pickle and want to cut costs on internet and broadband bills? With the rocketing costs of broadband, it's becoming more challenging for people to save money on their monthly bills.

Also, striking a perfect balance between a reliable internet connection and a reasonably priced internet bill is becoming a dream. So, what do you do? Luckily, we've got the perfect solution for you.

We'll tell you how to reduce your broadband bill, land the best internet deals, and enjoy a fast internet connection, all at the same time!

How to Reduce Your Broadband Bill: At a Glance!

 

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Here's a quick list of some ways you can reduce your broadband bill:

1. Look for Broadband, Home Phone, Mobile Phone, and Pay-TV Price Bundles
2. Look for Social Tariffs and Low-Income Broadband Deals
3. Choose a Suitable Broadband Contract Length
4. Choose a Suitable Internet Speed
5. Switch to Another Internet Provider When Your Plan Ends
6. Don't Go for Limited Broadband Deals
7. Buy Your Own Equipment
8. Use Your Mobile Phone Data
9. Negotiate the Prices With Your Internet Service Provider

Now that you have a general idea about reducing your broadband and internet bill, it's time to dive into more details!

9 Different Ways You Can Reduce Your Broadband Bill

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Here are ways you can reduce your broadband bill and overall monthly costs.

1. Look for Broadband, Home Phone, Mobile Phone, and Pay-TV Price Bundles

Most people get separate monthly broadband, home phone, mobile phone, and pay-TV bills, but what if we tell you that paying for them as a bundle can save you a LOT of money?

The secret to doing so is finding a single provider that offers these services together. Most providers lower the price of these bundles to compel customers to deal solely with them instead of paying for only one service. Accordingly, you can land a much better deal than paying each bill separately.

Related: Free 4K TV With Broadband Deal

2. Look for Social Tariffs and Low-Income Broadband Deals

If you receive any financial support from the government, you're likely eligible for broadband funding help, like social tariffs and low-income deals. These deals offer high internet speed at lower prices than for the regular crowd, which is ideal if you want to cut some monthly costs.

That said, it's fair to warn you that you won't find these deals lying around on the providers' websites or online pages. Instead, you'll have to contact your customer service rep and enquire whether they provide this service and how to sign up for it. Also, you'll have to provide proof that you receive financial help.

Some providers also offer discounted broadband deals for students who don't necessarily receive financial support. All you have to do is ask around!

On a side note, consider checking whether your internet bill is tax-deductible. You might be eligible for a deduction if you use the internet solely for work. Otherwise, you'll pay a specific GST rate on broadband, per the New Zealand Government guidelines.

3. Choose a Suitable Broadband Contract Length

Broadband providers offer contracts of all lengths, from monthly to two-year or longer. Duration is an important aspect to consider if you want to reduce your broadband bill, but why?

Monthly contract agreements are usually more expensive than annual agreements; that's why they aren't recommended unless you have unstable living conditions. Suppose you're living in one place and aren't expected to move any time soon but have a monthly broadband agreement. You'll pay much more money per year than if you settle for an annual contract.

The same goes if you're moving soon but have a long broadband deal. If the place you're moving to is too far away to receive broadband from the same provider, you'll have to pay extra costs to switch mid-contract or edit your existing one to meet your needs.

The solution is to choose a suitable contract length for your living conditions. You can opt for monthly agreements if you're a student living in a dorm or small apartment and won't stay for long. However, if you're more stable than that and rarely move houses, you should go for annual agreements.

4. Choose a Suitable Internet Speed

Did you know that the higher internet speed your receive, the pricier your monthly bill will be? That's why one of the most reliable ways to cut broadband costs is to change your internet plan.

However, you don't want to sacrifice too much speed. Otherwise, the basic internet actions you do daily, like Netflix streaming and web surfing, will become much more challenging.

To avoid slowing your internet too much, look for an online speed test and see what speed you're currently receiving. Then, look for deals from your current provider that offer lower speeds but not by much.

Try the new speed for a while, and if you don't notice much difference, you can settle on this plan and enjoy a more affordable monthly internet bill!

5. Switch to Another Internet Provider When Your Plan Ends

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It's a common trick for internet service providers to increase their prices after the contract ends. If you fall into this trap, you'll pay a higher monthly cost for the same service and internet speed. To avoid that, contact your provider if your contract ends and ask about any price changes.

If the prices increase, you should switch broadband providers or sign on to another plan that doesn't cost as much money. Chances are changing plans or switching providers will cost you less money than if you re-contract.

6. Don't Go for Limited Broadband Deals

While limited broadband deals aren't as common as before, it's fair to warn you about what they entail. The idea of limited deals is to give you a specific amount of internet you can use during the month. If you finish it before the month ends, you'll be charged extra money for any extra internet you use.

Of course, these plans cost more money than unlimited deals, and if you don't have enough experience dealing with internet providers, you might easily sign up for one without noticing.

Before signing a contract with any provider, check their packages and make sure they're unlimited.

7. Buy Your Own Equipment

To enjoy a reliable internet connection, you'll need a modem and router, whether you have a wireless or wired internet connection. Now, most internet providers rent these for new customers for a small extra monthly fee, which isn't as small as you think when you calculate it annually.

To lower your monthly internet costs, buy a modem and router and ditch the extra fees. In the long run, you'll find this solution to be more affordable. Also, as a bonus point, if you switch providers, you can take them with you instead of renting new ones.

8. Use Your Mobile Phone Data

If you need to cut down your costs, you can use your mobile phone data to get internet instead of using broadband. Buy an unlimited internet plan for your phone, then use it as a hotspot whenever you need a fast connection.

While this plan isn't practical in the long run, it's ideal if you don't have enough time to try the other solution. It'll work perfectly for a month or two till you can get your finances in order. That said, it's fair to warn you that doing so will take a toll on your phone's battery and might shorten its lifespan.

9. Negotiate the Prices With Your Internet Service Provider

While haggling isn't a reliable method for cutting costs, it won't harm to try. Suppose you negotiate the internet prices with your provider and explain you're not doing well financially. In that case, they might offer you solutions that weren't there before, like discounted plans or more affordable packages according to your needs.

For instance, some providers offer specific broadband plans for streaming services, video conferencing, social media platforms, and more.

It's a plan B solution if you try the above steps and are still in a financial pickle, and it's worth trying!

What Are the Cheapest Internet Connection Types? Prices Compared!

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There are many internet connection types available, and they vary widely in price. If you want to learn more about the cheapest types of connection, take a look at the list below.

• Dial-Up: Dial-up is a slow connection type that utilizes copper phone lines to transmit internet signals. It's the most affordable type on the market, with an average of $20-25 per month.
• DSL: DSL stands for Digital Subscriber Line. It also uses your home phone lines to transmit internet signals. It costs about $55 to $90 monthly in New Zealand, depending on your internet speed.
• Fibre: Fibre uses fibre-optic glass cables to transmit internet signals at the speed of light, making it the fastest type on the market. It costs about $90 to $140 per month.
• Satellite: Satellite connection is wireless and transmits internet signals through utilizing space technology, so it's fairly expensive. It costs about $100 to $700 per month.

It's fair to say that although dial-up internet is the cheapest type, it could be more cost-efficient. If you want the best value for your money, go with a DSL or fibre connection. Dial-up internet is extremely slow and will restrict your usage more than any other type. Also, you won't be able to use your home line while using the internet.

Related: Difference Between Broadband and DSL

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Internet Prices Increase Every Year?

Not necessarily, but most providers increase their prices after a year. The idea is to offer you discounted prices for the first year so that you sign a contract with them, then increase the price after the first 12 months because the offer is over. It's a way to attract new customers, but it's becoming less effective because of increasing competition.

Does Using Fewer Devices Lower the Internet Bill?

Yes, it does. The more smart devices you have, the more internet you're consuming. Typically, this means a larger internet bill. However, it's often challenging for people to give up their smart devices, even for a short time, so it's not a practical money-saving solution.

How Do I Know What Internet Speed I Need?

It depends on your needs and the number of devices you use. If you only use the internet to check emails and surf the web and have 1-2 devices, you'll do well with a 25-50 Mbps speed. However, if you use it for 4K and 8K streaming and playing online games and have more than three devices, you should look for 50-200 Mbps.

To Wrap Up

Broadband bills can be costly, and if you're already burdened financially, they might become an issue. Stay positive, though! We have a few solutions that you can try to lower your bill.

For starters, you can look for discounts and bundles, low-income deals, or other more affordable providers. Also, you can lower your internet speed or sign a better contract. Most importantly, you could buy your router instead of renting.

If you want to learn more about broadband deals, visit our website!