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Spectrum customers are no strangers price increasesand they are about to be hit with another one.
IN post on reddit, a user who says he is a Spectrum employee, detailed rate increases that will take effect in July. The consumer says the base Internet price will increase for all plans by $3 per month (or $4 for legacy plans), home phone plans by $3 and TV Select by $3 in certain states. Spectrum confirmed to CNET that prices will increase in July, but declined to comment on details.
This is the second time Spectrum has raised its rates this year. In January, she raised the price of hers low income plan from $20 to $25 per month (although speeds increased from 30Mbps to 50Mbps), and router rental costs increased from $5 to $7 per month.
Maybe sometimes settle your bill with your provider when spikes like these happen, but Spectrum customers may have a more difficult time reaching a customer service representative than in the past. The company has closed at least three call centers in the past two months, laying off a total of 745 employees Grand Rapids, Rochester and Columbus areas. Spectrum said it will transfer those positions to larger centers around the country.
This news comes after an income statement revealed that Spectrum lost 72,000 internet customers and 405,000 cable TV customers in the first three months of 2024.
“We continue to expand and improve our offerings to ensure that all customers have products and packages that best suit their needs,” a Spectrum spokesperson told CNET. “Although our services are affected by rising costs, we strive to keep prices as low as possible.”
If you’re a Spectrum customer facing rising costs, there are a few things you can do to keep your internet bill manageable.
What to do if Spectrum raises your prices
While it may seem like you’re at the mercy of your ISP, there are a few steps you can take if your bill gets too expensive.
- Negotiate with Spectrum: While it may be harder to get a live person on the phone after Spectrum’s recent cutbacks, it’s worth calling customer service to try and find a new deal. Come prepared with knowledge of other Spectrum plans available in your area, as well as competitors you could switch to. Some Reddit users also noted that they had better luck going to a store than negotiating over the phone.
- Buy your own router: I know it sounds counterintuitive to spend more money when your bill just went up. But buying your own Wi-Fi router will saves you money in the long term. Spectrum’s router rental fee is $7 a month, which adds up to $84 a year — more than the cost of CNET’s pick of the best wifi router.
- Switch to a cheaper plan: Spectrum has plans as low as $30 per month for new customers, so you may be paying more speed than necessary. I recommend checking all your internet activity and deciding if you can get away with a cheaper plan.
- Cut the cable TV cord: You may be able to get the same TV channels at a lower price through a live tv streaming service such as Hulu Plus Live TV or YouTube TV. You can also get local channels for free using a TV antenna.
- Switch ISP: This is the nuclear option. If Spectrum’s latest price hike is too far away, it might be time to go for it change your internet provider generally. Enter your address at Federal Communications Commission broadband map and see what else is available to you.
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