How can I cut costs on internet and home phone?

[Anonymous]

OP here. I think I could try getting rid of the landline, if I know I could get a good deal on internet alone, so it would really save $.

[Anonymous]

Well, I've heard of a service but not tried it -- its called FreedomPop. Its supposedly VERY cheap wireless internet service.

[Anonymous]

Do you have/use cable? We do not have a landline but have high speed internet and cable. I wanted to cut the cable off completely, but it was cheaper to keep the basic channels (plus HBO for a year - cheaper than not getting it as part of the promo) and internet and we pay about $80/month for that. Through Comcast.

If all else fails, call and threaten to cut off all services completely. It's their job to try and get you to stay on as a customer!

[Anonymous]

We switched to comcast no contact for 2 months then switched back to verizon as a new customer. Pay 39.99for 25/25 internet with our own router in rockville, no contract.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We switched to comcast no contact for 2 months then switched back to verizon as a new customer. Pay 39.99for 25/25 internet with our own router in rockville, no contract.

That sounds like a good deal! Are there tons of additional fees and taxes, like with phone and cell services, or is it pretty much $40?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Regarding: Some of it you could probably work around or setup security settings. - I'm sure it would be awesome cost savings though if you could work it out.

In this case, our very computer and network skilled friend gives his neighbor $20./month cash plus provides the tech support when there are router problems. The neighbor with the router didn't have a very secure set up to begin with and is thrilled to have the technical help and extra cash. For all they know, other neighbors might have also been using the unsecured wi-fi. Our friend is happy to get internet so cheaply and likes that that he has the access to configure it the way he wants. Both households had low bandwidth needs (e.g. email, occasional kindle download, periodic web surfing).

I don't think I'd be comfortable using a neighbor's wi-fi without their permission because that would mean it was very unsecure and I sometimes shop online.

Violates residential TOS.

[Anonymous]

Stay away from Comcast, they suck and their prices are too high.

[Anonymous]

Ooma for phone. Free.

[Anonymous]

RedTailHawk wrote:I just logged on to post a very similar message. We are paying $104.99 plus taxes (so ~$120.) a month for 15/15 FIOS internet plus land line. We do not have reliable cell phone reception at home so use the landline. I am not opposed to switching to Google Voice or other phone option but there doesn't seem to be a price break with Verizon for dropping phone.

We are in Rockville so cable could be an option but given that we don't want TV there doesn't seem to be a price advantage there.

I called Verizon and they are offering to up our speed to 50/50 for the same price if we sign a 2 year contract. (We are month to month now.) We don't need faster service.

I tried to explore my options with the sales rep and she was not helpful at all. Verizon's new customer rates are significantly lower so I asked about cancelling service and then signing up as a new customer. She said we would have to be without Verizon service for 30 days to get the new customer rate.

We have friends that split their internet bill by sharing wi-fi signal with their next door neighbour. Is that the only way to cut internet costs?

wait, really? are you sure that doesn't also include tv or something ? We had Fios with 15 speed, and when I called they upped us to 50 for about the same price, with a 2 year contract. But ours is (and was $80 somethin, maybe as much as 89, I'm too lazy to look it up just now. And now the first year is $5 off. That's with tax. But after i signed up I saw an offer in the mail with the same thing but w/o the 2 year contract. If you do that w/ the two year contract, they were offering a $300 visa card. So check again. Yours seems way too high.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ooma for phone. Free.

I just switched my home phone to Ooma and it's cheap but not exactly free. There is no monthly charge for the service BUT you do pay taxes etc. I think it comes to $5-6/mo. Plus you have to buy the Ooma equipment which is approx $140. In a matter of months I will have recouped that cost and be saving $. To the PP who asked about VOIP - it's voice over internet. Essentially you use a piece of equipment that connects to your router and your regular phone equipment and you can use your old handset to place calls that are transmitted through your internet connection instead of phone line. I haven't made many calls yet but so far the voice quality is fine.

I am embarrassed to admit I had a deal similar to PP's with 15/15 internet and home phone from Verizon for about the same price ($100+). I finally switched to Ooma phone and Comcast 25/? internet for $30/mo and the shame of overpaying has lifted. I also bought my own cable modem and router instead of renting theirs. Join me, friends!

[Anonymous]

Here in DC the monthly taxes for Ooma are only $3.83. Best cost savings change I made recently...