Internet Deals for Seniors as Low as $0. Search for These Deals in Your Area Now
According to a study conducted by the AARP’s Older Adults Technology Services, an estimated 22 million seniors don’t have broadband internet access at home. Internet access is increasingly essential for daily life, particularly for staying in touch with loved ones. However, many seniors may struggle to find room in their budgets for internet. Fortunately, seniors can pay as little as $0 per month for internet, thanks to new affordable connectivity plans. If you’re a senior with a lower budget, here’s what you need to know.
What Is the Affordable Connectivity Program?
The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) aims to make internet affordable for low-income Americans, including seniors. The program reduces the cost of internet service by $30 per month ($75 per month on tribal lands), and 20 internet providers committed to offering plans that align with the program. Overall, the companies collectively cover 80% of the areas where people live in the United States, including almost 50% of the rural population.
Are There Free Options?
Through the ACP, there are free internet options. The 20 internet providers all committed to creating at least one high-speed internet plan for not more than $30 per month. Since households that qualify for the ACP receive a monthly price reduction of $30, choosing a plan that costs no more than $30 per month makes the internet service free.
In some cases, these reduced-price high-speed internet plans also come with lower fees. For example, the service provider may include the cost of any required equipment — such as a company-provided modem — in the plan. In that case, the equipment is also free.
Where Can You Pay Less for Internet?
Seniors can pay as little as $0 per month for internet by choosing a company that participates in the ACP and offers a high-speed plan for $30 per month or less. Those participating providers, according to the White House, include:
- Allo Communications
- AltaFiber (and Hawaiian Telecom)
- Altice USA (Optimum and Suddenlink)
- Astound
- AT&T
- Breezeline
- Comcast
- Comporium
- Cox Communications
- Frontier
- IdeaTek
- Jackson Energy Authority
- Mediacom
- MLGC
- Spectrum (Charter Communications)
- Starry
- Verizon (Fios only)
- Vermont Telephone Company
- Vexus Fiber
- Wow!
However, the discount can be applied to services through other internet providers, reducing the monthly price by $30 per month and leaving seniors only paying the difference. In order to receive the discount, seniors do need to apply for the ACP. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) launched GetInternet.gov to allow households to apply online. Once the online application is approved, seniors can choose an internet provider to get their benefits.
Tips for Choosing a Plan
When you’re choosing a plan, you want to examine two factors. First, it’s critical to consider cost. Second, you want to look at internet speeds. Some ACP plans come out to $0 per month after the discount, which is ideal if your budget is tight. However, they may be limited to speeds of 100 Mbps.
Generally, 100 Mbps is enough for casual internet usage, video chatting, and streaming (including HD and 4k), and it may even work for online gaming. However, some seniors may benefit from faster speeds. If you’re in that category, explore internet plans in your area to find a suitable speed at the lowest possible price. Then, you can apply the $30 discount to that plan, allowing you to save on different speed tiers.
Check to see if you’re eligible for internet deals for seniors as low as $0 or find other offers in your area below.
