In any part of life, it always hurts when everything’s going according to plan, but an unexpected roadblock pops up out of nowhere, doesn’t it? Well, finding the right internet connection is a similar story.
You browse through various options, narrow down a few cheap internet providers, pick one, only to find out there’s a ton of hidden fees. Having been there myself, let me help you avoid landing up in such a situation by sharing how you can spot hidden fees, and break past the illusions that most cheap internet plans create.
Let’s get into it.
The Different Types of Fees Internet Providers Charge
It would help you to first understand all the various fees that an internet provider can charge you, as this can prevent any chance of manipulation later on. Most commonly, these fees include the ones below.
Installation & Activation Fees
There are various types of internet connections, such as fiber, cable, and 5G home internet to name a few.
Some of these like fiber may require a professional installation, hence the fee. The charges for this fee can range from anywhere between a couple of bucks to a few hundred dollars, depending on your provider and the type of internet connection you’re using.
As for activation, this is a one-time fee that your internet provider may charge to cover the costs of activating your connection. These are similar to installation fees, they vary based on the provider and connection type you’re using.
Equipment Fees
Most internet types require some sort of physical hardware to get the connection up and running.
For example, let’s say you’re using cable internet, your setup will probably include a modem, router, and Ethernet cable. Some providers offer free equipment, whereas some charge for it. These charges also range from a few to a few hundred dollars, depending on your provider, and type of connection.
Data Overage Fees
A data cap is the limit your internet provider sets on the amount of data you can use in a given time, normally a month.
Some providers may charge a fee once you cross this limit, which once again ranges from a few to a hundred dollars depending on your provider and internet type. Gosh, I must be sounding like a broken record by now.
Early Termination Fee
Some internet providers may require you to sign a contract, guaranteeing that you use these services for a specific amount of time. In case you plan to terminate your connection or switch to another provider before this time ends, you may be charged a fee, and I promise this the last time I’m saying this, but this fee also varies based on your provider and type of connection.
Well, that about covers all the costs that internet providers can charge as hidden fees. Now let’s explore how you can identify them early on and avoid paying them involuntarily later.
5 Steps to Identify and Avoid Hidden Fees – Breaking the Illusion of Cheap Internet
I’ve shared 5 simple steps that you can use to spot and avoid each of the fees I shared above. Take a look.
Installation Fees – Go for Self-Installation if Possible
Some types of connections are rather easy to set up yourself, and some providers allow you to install the setup yourself either for free or through a low-cost self-install kit.
If you have this option, I’d recommend going for it and sparing yourself the fee and lengthy professional installation process. If you do, just make sure everything is properly set up before you contact your provider for activation, otherwise they may try to make up for the cost by adding a charge here.
Activation Fees – Choose the Right Provider or Use a Discount
While not every provider charges an activation fee, they are a very common occurrence. If you come across a provider freeing you from this fee, I’d recommend going for it.
Otherwise, there are times that providers waive off activation fee through discounts or promotions, and you can choose to use their services using these.
Equipment Fees – Buy Your Own Equipment
Many providers offer a list of compatible devices that you can use to set up an internet connection.
There is a chance that these devices are cheaper than what your internet provider may charge you for equipment. If possible, research a bit into these devices and buy an option that balances cost effectiveness with high quality internet performance.
Data Overage Fees – Track and Manage Your Data Consumption
To avoid data cap crossing fees, you might have to research a bit into the amount of data that you and your family use on various devices.
This can help you identify where you can optimize to stay within your data limit. If you find that your needs exceed the data limit your provider offers, you might want to upgrade to a new plan. This will ensure that even if you go a bit overboard, you don’t cross the data limit and hence don’t have to pay the fee.
Early Termination Fee – Choose the Right Provider or Wait till Your Contract Ends
Some providers may offer plans with a slightly higher upfront cost, but no early termination fee, and if you come across such a provider, I’d recommend using their services. If, however, you’ve signed a contract, you might want to wait till your contract ends before you switch.
The Battle Against Hidden Fees – Victory is Yours
There you have it folks, I’ve broken down the most common ways you can be charged a hidden fees as well as the ways you can prevent that from happening to you. Following these simple steps can help you choose the right provider and navigate your way out of trouble even if you happen to choose the wrong one.