Why You Can Trust CNET Best Internet Deals for May
Get a deal on high-speed internet and possibly a little something extra. Here are the best deals and special offers from top ISPs in May.
It may not always seem like it, but there's enough competition for internet providers to know they have to keep their prices low, speeds high and service terms favorable if they want to win and keep your business. As a result, it's quite possible, even likely, to find a decent deal on home internet service.
Internet deals will vary by providers and location but, for the most part, a good internet deal is one with fast speeds for a low price -- like what you get with the Frontier Fiber 500 plan, our pick for best internet deal overall. Other deals may offer exceptionally fast speeds of gigabit or higher, favorable service terms like free equipment and unlimited data, or limited-time promotional offers.
Shopping for a faster internet speed?
Such deals are ever-changing, but you'll find a recent roundup of the best internet deals from leading ISPs below. Keep in mind that all providers, pricing and promotions are not available in all areas and are subject to change at any time.
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Best internet deals for May
Frontier Fiber offers a few plan selections, but for a one-size-fits-all internet deal, the Fiber 500 plan is tough to beat. Symmetrical download and upload speeds of up to 500Mbps are more than enough for just about any household, and the $60 price ($50 in select areas, and don't forget to sign up for autopay) is lower than you'll find from many other providers for comparable, or even slower, speeds.
Wi-Fi equipment is also included at no extra cost, as is unlimited data. Contracts aren't required with Frontier internet unless you opt to receive a signup bonus offer.
Frontier Fiber internet special offers
On all plans excluding the new Fiber 5 Gig speed tier, your included router is an Amazon Eero 6 Plus. Fiber 5 Gig comes with a 5TP-Link Archer AXE300 6E.
Additionally, Frontier's 2 Gig plan, which starts at $100 per month in select areas, also comes with a $200 gift card for a limited time.
You've got to sign up for internet anyway, why not get something extra with it? Verizon Fios feels the same and has some of the most unique special sign-up offers you'll find from any provider. Verizon's promos change frequently (you can find details on the latest offer below), so if you don't love this month's, check back to see what next month has to offer.
All internet plans come with a price guarantee for two to four years depending on the plan you choose. That's quite a deal as many providers hike their rates after just one year. Unlimited data and your equipment rental is also included at no extra cost.
Verizon Fios internet special offers
You'll get the best bonus when signing up for Verizon Fios Gig Connection: an Xbox Series S Console -- that's right, the console -- or a $200 Home Depot gift card, plus the choice of a free Disney Plus subscription for six months and 2TB of storage, or a free MoCA Ethernet adapter and a $50 Xbox e-gift card to go with that new console.
The Verizon Fios 500 plan comes with the option of a Xbox Elite Wireless Controller II or a $50 gift card to Home Depot. New customers to the Fios 300 plan can also get a $50 Home Depot gift card or an Xbox stereo headset.
With fast, symmetrical speeds, unlimited data, no equipment fees and no contract requirements, AT&T Fiber plans are a great deal on their own. Select areas will have three plans to choose from with max speeds of 300Mbps, 500Mbps or 1Gbps, while many will have two additional multigig options (2 or 5Gbps).
The selection of high-speed, fair-priced plans you get with AT&T Fiber is arguably the best you'll find from any provider.
AT&T Fiber internet special offers
AT&T isn't as creative as Verizon Fios when it comes to rewarding new customers, but it is still more rewarding than most. You can typically expect a gift card from AT&T, and that's what the provider is currently offering. The exact amount may vary by location -- some areas may see a $200 gift card, while others can qualify for one that credits up to two months of service -- but some sort of a gift card is available with all AT&T Fiber plans.
AT&T Fiber is also running a contract buyout promotion that offers to pay your cancellation fee with another provider in full when you switch.
As providers continue to introduce multigig plans, gigabit service is quickly becoming the new standard in fast internet. At $70 per month for symmetrical speeds up to 940Mbps, unlimited data and no added equipment fees, CenturyLink's gig plan is currently one of the best internet deals from any major provider.
CenturyLink (or Quantum Fiber in select areas) doesn't have the absolute lowest introductory pricing on gigabit internet. Regional providers Ziply Fiber and Astound, among others, may have lower rates. However, gig service from CenturyLink/Quantum Fiber doesn't come with a set price increase after 12 months and your Wi-Fi equipment is included at no extra cost, making it one of the best long-term gigabit deals available.
CenturyLink internet special offers
As mentioned above, gig service from CenturyLink comes with free Wi-Fi equipment. Installation is also included at no extra cost when you order online. The free router is not available with the lower 200Mbps tier, but installation is still included.
It wasn't too long ago that bundling internet and TV service together with the same provider came with some serious savings. Now, you'd be lucky to get any discount for bundling internet and TV. Unless you live in an area serviceable for Xfinity, that is.
Xfinity offers a discount for each bundled service. With internet, TV, home phone, mobile data and home security plans available in select areas, that could add up to $50 or more in monthly savings.
Xfinity internet special offers
New customers who sign up for Xfinity Connect More, a 200Mbps plan starting at $25 per month for 24 months, can get their Wi-Fi equipment rental included at no extra cost. The plan, along with other Xfinity internet plans, also includes unlimited data in select areas.
As a home internet service, 5G is still relatively new, but providers like T-Mobile and Verizon are keeping prices competitive considering the speed potential of a 5G network. So far, Verizon has the best deals on 5G home internet with two plans ranging from 85 to 300Mbps or 300 to 1,000Mbps and starting at $50 or $70 per month, respectively.
Both plans include unlimited data, no equipment fees and a price guarantee. The lower-priced 5G Home plan comes with a two-year price guarantee while your rate on the 5G Home Plus plan is good for three years.
Verizon 5G Home Internet special offers
If you're already a Verizon wireless customer, Verizon may knock 50% off the price for its 5G home internet service. That's potential speeds of 85 to 300Mbps starting at $25 per month or 300 to 1,000Mbps starting at $35 per month.
For those who prefer internet service on their terms with no hassles or hidden fees, there's Cox StraightUp Internet. Starting at $50 per month, the service comes with download speeds up to 100Mbps, free equipment, free installation and a three-year price guarantee. Additionally, no contract or credit check is required.
For a prepaid plan, Cox StraightUp Internet is a fairly good deal, but the relatively slow speeds keep it from being a great deal. Speeds of 100Mbps for $50 per month equate to a cost per Mbps of 50 cents, which is high compared to most internet plans. On the other hand, the convenience of a prepaid service, along with no data cap, free equipment and a three-year price guarantee go a long way to make up for the high cost per Mbps.
Cox internet special offers
There are currently no limited-time promotions available to new Cox internet customers.
Other internet deals to look out for
Internet deals and promos vary by provider and providers vary by location, so there could be any number of deals available at your address. Here are some other noteworthy deals in addition to the ones listed above that you may want to consider.
Astound: Free service, gift cards, free install. Astound's internet offers vary by location and are a bit all over the place. New York City customers can get the biggest payout -- two free months of service and a gift card up to $100 when signing up for the provider's fastest plan. In other areas where Astound service is available, promotional offers and plan details will vary.
Kinetic: Up to $200 in gift cards. Windstream by Kinetic is giving away gift cards in the amount of $100 or $200 to new customers in select areas.
Optimum: $100 gift card with 1 Gig plan. New Optimum internet customers can sign up for the 1 Gig plan and receive a $100 gift card. Additional savings when you bundle with Optimum Mobile Unlimited are also available with all Optimum internet plans.
T-Mobile 5G Home Internet: Savings for eligible T-Mobile Magenta Max customers. Qualifying T-Mobile customers can get $20 off their 5G home internet service, bringing the cost down to $30 per month for speeds ranging from 33 to 182Mbps.
WOW Internet: Up to $300 in gift cards, 1 year of HBO Max. Wide Open West incentivizes customers to opt for faster speed tiers. Starting with the Internet 200 plan, customers can get a gift card ranging from $50 to $300, depending on the plan you choose. Internet 500 and faster plans also come with a free HBO Max subscription for 6 or 12 months.
Ziply Fiber: Free month and installation. New Ziply Fiber customers can get free installation and a free month of service when they sign up for any plan.
Internet deals FAQs
What's the best internet deal?
A plan with low cost per Mbps will often be the better internet deal. Look for plans that offer fast speeds for relatively low pricing.
For example, Frontier Fiber 500 includes max download and upload speeds of 500Mbps, starting at $60 a month for a cost per Mbps of 12 cents. Compare that to a similarly priced plan or one even cheaper from another provider -- such as the Cox Essential plan, which has a lower starting price at $40 a month, but significantly lower download (100Mbps) and upload (just 5Mbps) speeds -- and you'll likely find Frontier Fiber 500 to be the much better internet deal.
If you have the luxury of facing similar pricing and speed options from multiple providers, look for special promotions, equipment costs, contract requirements and other service factors to determine which provider has the best deal.
Can I get a deal on internet without a contract?
Yes. Many providers, including AT&T, Frontier, Google Fiber, Spectrum and Verizon Fios offer their best internet deals and incentives without making you sign a contract. Other providers, such as Cox and Xfinity, may require you to sign a contract in order to get the lowest price.
What internet deals are available to students and seniors?
Most major providers have a discount internet program available to qualifying low-income households, including those with students and seniors. Plans are typically in the $20 to $30 range and often come with broadband speeds of 25Mbps or higher. Additionally, Lifeline is a federal program that grants eligible households up to $9.25 per month to apply to their internet costs.
Can I get a better deal from my current ISP?
Special offers such as introductory pricing and signup bonuses are typically reserved for new customers. That said, it may be possible to negotiate with your provider for a lower price or faster speeds. Your chances at scoring a better deal are higher if you aren't currently locked in a contract. Also, do a little research on other providers and offers available in your area before you call -- the threat of switching internet providers is often enough for your current provider to offer you a better deal.
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