Before you sign an internet offer: a checklist
The short version: The first-month price is rarely what you'll pay. Before you agree to any internet offer, get the month-13 price, every one-time fee, the contract terms and the equipment terms in writing, and confirm service is live at your address.
Price questions
- What is the monthly price now, and what will it be in month 13 and year 3?
- Is there a price guarantee, and for how long?
- Does the price include taxes and regulatory or recovery fees?
- Is the discount tied to autopay, paperless billing or a phone bundle?
Fees
- Installation, account setup and activation fees
- Router or gateway rental, and the replacement fee if it's damaged
- Extra charges for long driveways or non-standard installs
Contract and cancellation
- Is there a minimum term? What's the early-termination fee?
- How do I cancel, and do I have to return equipment?
- Is there a trial period or a return window?
Verify the offer
- Check the provider's own site or call its official number to confirm the offer, especially for offers made by phone or at your door.
- Ask whether service is live at your address now or is a pre-sale for a future build.
- Look for the provider's FCC "Broadband Facts" label, which lists the monthly price, fees and typical speeds for each plan.
- Check your address on the FCC broadband map.
Common questions
What is a broadband label?
The FCC requires providers to show a 'Broadband Facts' label for each home internet plan, listing the monthly price, additional fees and typical speeds. Nextlink, for example, publishes its labels on its website.