High-speed internet has become one of the household essentials that just about everyone needs to have. But if you’re not careful, it can be a significant expense! Many people pay $60, $70 or even more each month just for internet – but if you’re savvy about finding cheap internet where you live, you can save a ton of money.
If you’re a local resident, you may be wondering how to get cheap internet in Houston. Well, we’re all about helping our readers save money while enjoying this beautiful area – so kick back, and read our article below to find the best cheap internet providers in Houston!
Cheap Internet Providers in Houston
There are several different internet service providers (ISPs) in the Houston area, but not all of them could be considered “cheap”. If you’re looking for an affordable internet plan, the providers below will likely be your best bet.
Xfinity
Xfinity is one of the nation’s largest ISPs, and their services cover the majority of Houston. Plans start from $34.99 per month for internet-only packages with speeds of up to 100mbps.
Xfinity plans typically require a 1-year contract in order to qualify for promotional pricing. Your monthly rate will likely increase once your first year is up. The normal monthly price for Xfinity’s base package is $55 per month.
If you’d like to get cable or other services, Xfinity offers attractive bundles at discounted prices. But even their internet-only plans offer good value, particularly for the first year. And if you’re willing to call in after your year is up, they will often keep you on the same plan or offer you another competitive rate to keep you as a customer.
To learn about the latest Xfinity deals, call 888-609-0866 or click here.
AT&T
AT&T offers internet and cable services in most of Houston. Their plans start from $40 per month (when bundled with other services), or $50 per month for standalone internet service. In most areas, AT&T internet is a DSL connection with speeds of up to 50mbps. There are usually some great AT&T internet deals that include bonus rewards when you sign up for service.
AT&T plans require a 1-year contract. Plan rates will likely increase after the 1-year initial term. Bundles offer a good value, but their internet-only plans are not quite as competitive when compared with Comcast.
To learn about the latest AT&T internet pricing, call 855-612-4335 or click here.
Earthlink
Earthlink also has a significant presence in Houston, covering the majority of the city. Earthlink provides plans starting at $50 per month for internet-only packages. They offer both DSL and fiber-optic plans, depending on where in Houston you live. Speeds vary depending on location, from 20-100mbps for DSL plans to up to 1000mbps for fiber plans.
Earthlink requires a 1-year contract. The upside of this provider is that they do not have introductory pricing – so after the year is up, your price will not increase. Both Xfinity and AT&T offer preliminary “teaser” rates that are lower than Earthlink’s – however, after the first year is up, Earthlink’s pricing is better.
If you’d prefer a predetermined price without the need to jump through hoops every year, Earthlink is a good option.
Other ISPs
Several other internet service providers are available in parts of Houston. Providers like Viasat and Hughesnet provide satellite internet starting at around $50 per month, while traditional ISPs including Windstream and Rise Broadband offer DSL internet plans in select areas of Houston. You can shop around for providers in your specific zip code, but overall the providers listed above are the best value options.
Choosing an ISP in Houston
When looking for cheap internet in Houston, there are some considerations to keep in mind:
Provider Availability – Not all ISPs are available in all areas of Houston. Big providers like AT&T and Xfinity cover 90%+ of the city, but smaller ISPs may only operate in specific ZIP codes. Before you spend too much time considering a specific provider, make sure you check to see if they are available at your address. ISP websites will provide a way to enter your address and check availability.
Introductory Pricing – Those looking for cheap Wi-Fi in Houston will likely notice many providers with low introductory pricing for the first year. Unfortunately, these providers tend to jack up the rates after the first 12 months are up. For example, Xfinity’s basic plan is only $35/month for the first 12 months – one of the cheapest internet options in Houston. However, the rate will go up to $55 per month after the first year. Keep this introductory pricing in mind – and make sure to confirm what the normal pricing will be once the promotional rate expires.
Bundle vs. Internet-Only – Most ISPs also provide cable or satellite TV services. If you’re in the market for cable as well, it makes sense to get both through one provider, as bundle pricing is often attractive. If you don’t want TV service, look for the provider with the cheapest internet-only plans in Houston.
Available Speeds – Providers will list their expected maximum speeds for each plan. These figures should be taken with a grain of salt, as the advertised speeds often do not match up with the true speeds that most customers receive. That said, a provider that has max speeds of 100mbps will almost always be faster than a provider with 50mbps max speeds, so keep this in mind. This article goes over some things to consider when choosing an internet speed.
That’s about all you need to know about how to get cheap internet in Houston. Drop a comment below if you have any insider tips – and let us know if you have any questions!
