In today’s economy, Houstonians are more mindful than ever of where their money is going.
Since internet is essential for most people, it’s important users understand how to choose the right internet provider for their family.
“Inflation is still high,” said Sage Singleton, with HighSpeedInternet.com. “Majority of Houston residents believe the internet is an essential utility, just like gas, water and electricity. A lot of people get their bills and they’re like, ‘I don’t even know what I’m paying for, but I have to pay for it.’”
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recently implemented a requirement for all internet providers to provide broadband nutrition labels, which give insight into important information about broadband prices, introductory rates, data allowances and broadband speeds. They ensure consumers have clear, easy-to-understand and accurate information on the cost and performance of their high-speed internet services.
Broadband nutrition labels should disclose important information that includes:
- Broadband prices.
- Introductory rates.
- Data allowances.
- Broadband speeds.
- Links to information about network management practices and privacy policies.
“It’s nice for people to understand what their money is going when they’re paying for a service,” Singleton said.
According to the FCC, the labels are modeled after FDA nutrition labels and are meant to help consumers comparison shop for internet service. Armed with the knowledge from these nutrition labels—and several other tools from HighSpeedInternet.com—you can better understand your needs, find the appropriate internet service provider for your household, or even negotiate your bill.
[Related: Glossary of information on broadband label | Sample broadband label]
Reliability and needs
According to a recent survey, Houston’s internet prices are 11% lower than the national average, as the average resident pays about $72 per month for internet. When it comes to download and upload speeds, Houston ranks 11th and 3rd in the nation, respectively.
Though many residents say their internet is highly reliable, there are still about 25% who feel as though they’re overpaying for “mediocre” service, despite having relatively affordable internet.
Everyone is different, so it’s important to understand what internet speed your home requires. Maybe you have multiple people working from home, several gamers or like to stream on multiple devices at once. This six-question test will help you understand how much speed you need in your home for your online activities to run smoothly.
Then, you can check your internet speed on HighSpeedInternet.com to see what you’re getting now.
Once you know the speed you need and the speed you’re actually getting, you can then determine if you are being provided what you need at the right price. This might mean shopping around for a new provider.
“I have found that about 40% of Houston residents just go with one service provider because they don’t know there are other options,” Singleton said. “Our site offers people an opportunity to compare internet service providers, among other things.”
With 27 internet service providers in and around the Houston area, there is no reason to settle for anything less than the best for your household.
Click here to view what internet service providers in the Houston area can provide for you.
Negotiating your internet bill
“If you’re paying for high-speed internet but you’re not getting the right download and upload speed like you were promised, you can go back to your provider and negotiate,” Singleton said.
If you come to the decision that you’re not getting what you’re paying for, HighSpeedInternet.com has some great recommendations on how to negotiate your bill:
1. Research before you call your provider.
- Research competitor plans and pricing.
- Check your internet performance.
- Know your contract.
2. Contact your provider by phone.
- Call your provider’s customer service line.
- Be prepared for a long call.
- Kindly present the information you gathered before the call.
3. Choose an argument for a lower rate.
- Ask for a discount due to poor performance.
- Ask for a discount based on competitor pricing.
- Ask for promotional pricing.
[Related: 8 ways to save money on your internet bill]
No one should pay for more than they receive, including internet. HighSpeedInternet.com has plenty of tools and resources to provide you the knowledge to understand what you’re paying for and if you should be getting more bang for your buck.
You can also download the app to do it all from your phone: Download the app from the Apple Store | Download the app from the Google Play Store]
To learn more about broadband nutrition labels, internet speed and all your options, click or tap here.