Spectrum customers are no strangers to price increases and they are about to be hit by another wave of them.
In a post on Reddit, a user claiming to be a Spectrum employee detailed the pay increase that will take effect in July. The user said that in some states, the base price of Internet will increase by $3 per month for all plans (from $4 for the old plan), home phone plans will increase by $3, and TV select plans will increase by $3. Spectrum confirmed to CNET that prices will increase in July but declined to comment on specifics.
This is Spectrum’s second rate increase this year. In January, it increased the price of its low-income plan from $20 to $25 per month (albeit increasing speeds from 30 Mbps to 50 Mbps) and the cost of leasing a router from $5 to $7 per month.
When such price increases occur, you can sometimes negotiate your bill with the provider, but Spectrum customers may have a harder 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 in the Grand Rapids, Rochester and Columbus areas. Spectrum said it will move the positions to larger centers across the country.
The news comes after an earnings report showed Spectrum lost 72,000 online customers and 405,000 cable customers in the first three months of 2024.
“We will continue to expand and improve our offerings to ensure all customers have the products and packages that best meet their needs,” a Spectrum spokesperson told CNET. “While our services have been impacted by rising costs, we strive to Prices are kept as low as possible.”
If you’re a Spectrum customer facing rising costs, there are a number of things you can do to take control of your internet bill.
What to do if Spectrum raises prices
While you may feel like you’re at the mercy of your internet provider, there are a few steps you can take if your bill is getting too expensive.
- Negotiate with Spectrum: Although it may be more difficult to get on the phone to field staff after Spectrum’s recent layoffs, it’s worth calling customer service to try to find new deals. Be prepared to learn about other Spectrum plans available in your area and the competitors you can turn 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 after your bills go up. But buying your own Wi-Fi router will save you money in the long run. Spectrum’s router rental costs $7 per month, for a total of $84 per year — more than the price of CNET’s list of the best Wi-Fi routers.
- Switch to a cheaper plan: Spectrum offers plans as low as $30 per month for new customers, so you may be paying for more speed than you need. I recommend reviewing all of your online activity and deciding if a cheaper plan is available.
- Cut the cord to your cable TV: You can get the same TV channels at a lower price through live TV streaming services like Hulu Plus Live TV or YouTube TV. You can also use the TV antenna to watch local channels for free.
- Switch internet provider: This is the nuclear option. If the latest spectrum price rise goes too far, it might be time to switch network providers entirely. Enter your address on the FCC’s broadband map to see what else is available to you.
