Internet Deals and Promotions (2026 Guide)

Understanding Internet Promotions

Internet deals typically fall into three categories: new customer promotions, retention offers, and competitive response pricing. New customer promotions provide 12-24 months of discounted service to attract switchers. Retention offers reward existing customers who threaten to cancel. Competitive response pricing occurs when providers match or beat competitor rates in specific markets.

The promotional period matters as much as the promotional rate. A $30/month deal that jumps to $80/month after 12 months costs $660 in year one and $960 in year two—an average of $67.50/month. Compare this total cost against providers offering consistent pricing like T-Mobile at $50/month. Hidden rate increases often negate promotional savings.

February 2026 is an excellent time to shop for internet deals. Providers compete aggressively in Q1 to capture customers before summer moving season. Additionally, fixed wireless expansion from T-Mobile and Verizon has intensified price competition, benefiting consumers. Even established providers now offer better deals to prevent customer defection to wireless alternatives.

Current Top Internet Deals

Xfinity leads with aggressive new customer pricing at $20-30/month for 150-300 Mbps depending on your market. These promotional rates last 12 months before increasing to $70-90/month. The deal includes free installation during promotions and no activation fees. If you're willing to negotiate or switch providers annually, Xfinity's first-year pricing is unbeatable. Call 1-844-963-0138 to check local offers.

Spectrum's standard pricing is essentially a permanent deal: 300 Mbps for $49.99/month with no contract and no data caps. While not technically a "promotion," their consistency beats most competitors' post-promotional rates. New customers occasionally receive $20-30/month discounts for 12 months, bringing base cost down to around $30/month. Contact Spectrum at 1-844-481-5997 for availability.

AT&T Fiber offers $55/month for 300 Mbps with no annual contract required. Faster tiers (500 Mbps, 1 Gbps, 2 Gbps) are available at $65-85/month depending on market and promotions. AT&T frequently waives installation fees ($99 value) and includes a Wi-Fi gateway at no extra cost. Their fiber network delivers symmetrical speeds, making upload performance far superior to cable. Check fiber availability at 1-855-850-5977.

Fixed Wireless Deals

T-Mobile Home Internet maintains flat pricing at $50/month or $30/month when bundled with a mobile plan. There's no promotional period—this is simply their everyday rate. The service includes unlimited data, free equipment shipping, and no installation fees. Performance varies by location (typically 50-200 Mbps), but the price-to-value ratio is exceptional for most users. Verify coverage at 1-844-839-5057.

Verizon 5G Home Internet costs $50/month for existing Verizon mobile customers or $70/month standalone. New customers sometimes receive $200-300 prepaid gift card promotions. In areas with 5G Ultra Wideband coverage, speeds rival cable and fiber while offering contract-free flexibility. The service works best in urban and suburban areas with strong tower density. Call 1-855-387-1456 to confirm service quality at your address.

Regional Provider Deals

Frontier Fiber competes aggressively with promotional rates around $44.99/month for 500 Mbps or $59.99/month for 1 Gbps. These deals typically include no-contract options and free installation during promotional periods. Frontier has substantially improved reliability after network upgrades in 2024-2025, making them a legitimate alternative to AT&T in overlapping markets. Contact Frontier at 1-855-981-6281.

Cox offers market-specific promotions ranging from $30-50/month for 100-500 Mbps speeds. Their deals are less consistent than national providers, varying significantly by region. Southwest markets (Arizona, California, Nevada) see the most aggressive pricing. Cox bundles can provide value if you genuinely need TV service, but internet-only customers often find better deals elsewhere. Call 1-855-342-0684 for local pricing.

EarthLink partners with multiple networks to deliver service. Their deals often include prepaid gift cards ($100-200) or Amazon gift cards for new customers. Speeds and pricing vary based on underlying infrastructure (cable, fiber, or DSL). EarthLink's advantage is availability in areas where major providers don't operate, though pricing may not be the cheapest. Check availability at 1-844-254-2639.

How to Maximize Deal Value

Time your shopping strategically. Internet deals improve during Q1 (January-March) and late Q3 (August-September) when providers compete for customers during moving seasons. Mid-summer and late Q4 typically see weaker promotions. If your current promotion expires in a slow period, negotiate early or plan to switch when better deals arrive.

Negotiate before signing up. Even advertised promotional rates are often negotiable. Call sales departments and mention competitor offers. Providers frequently improve deals to close sales—adding higher speeds, waiving fees, or extending promotional periods. Never accept the first offer without asking, "Can you do better?"

Bundle strategically or not at all. Bundles save money only if you genuinely use all services. If you've abandoned cable TV for streaming, an internet+TV bundle costs more than internet alone. However, if you need a landline for business or elderly family, internet+phone bundles sometimes cost less than standalone internet. Calculate total costs carefully before committing to bundles.

Hidden Costs That Reduce Deal Value

Installation fees of $50-100 often get buried in promotional fine print. Always ask whether installation is included. Self-installation kits save money and work for most situations—providers ship a modem with simple instructions, and activation takes 15-30 minutes. Only pay for professional installation if you need in-wall ethernet wiring or have complex networking requirements.

Equipment rental fees of $10-15/month add $120-180 annually. Purchasing your own modem and router eliminates this recurring charge. A quality DOCSIS 3.1 cable modem costs $80-120 and pays for itself within a year. Ensure compatibility by checking your provider's approved equipment list before buying. Fiber services sometimes require provider-specific equipment, so verify first.

Broadcast TV fees, regional sports fees, and other surcharges apply to bundle deals. These fees can add $15-30/month to advertised bundle prices. Internet-only plans have minimal fees (typically just taxes and a small regulatory charge). Read the fine print or ask explicitly: "What's my total monthly bill including all fees?" to understand true costs.

Retention Deals for Existing Customers

Call retention departments, not standard customer service. When your promotional rate expires, call your provider and ask for "customer retention" or "account loyalty." These specialized teams have authority to extend promotional rates, add bill credits, or upgrade speeds at no cost. Be polite but firm, and mention competitor offers you're considering.

The cancellation threat works. Saying "I'm thinking about switching to [competitor]" signals serious intent. Retention teams track cancellation metrics and will often match or beat competitor pricing to keep you. You don't need to actually switch—the credible threat is often sufficient. However, research actual competitor rates first to make your negotiation believable.

Best timing for retention calls: 30-60 days before your promotional period expires. Don't wait until after rates increase—you'll have less negotiating leverage. Call early, explain that rates are about to increase, and ask what retention offers are available. Many customers successfully maintain promotional pricing indefinitely by negotiating every 12 months.

Switching Provider Strategy

Order new service before canceling current service. Schedule new installation for 1-2 days before your current billing cycle ends. This overlap ensures continuous internet connectivity. Once new service is active and working well, cancel your old provider and return equipment promptly to avoid non-return fees.

Track all promotional periods on your calendar. Set reminders 60 days before promotional rates expire so you have time to shop alternatives or negotiate. Providers count on customer inertia—most people don't track rate increases and simply pay higher bills. Staying organized ensures you always get the best available deal.

Consider switching annually if market conditions favor it. While somewhat tedious, customers who switch providers every 12-24 months consistently pay less than loyal customers. In competitive markets with multiple providers, this strategy saves $200-400 annually compared to paying post-promotional rates. Evaluate whether the savings justify the effort for your situation.