How to lower your internet and phone bills in 2026: a practical guide

Key figures

Why connection bills hurt in 2026

Internet access is no longer optional, but it is expensive. BroadbandNow's 2026 analysis of more than 2,100 providers puts the average home internet plan at $81.16 a month, from $65.43 in New Jersey to $109.88 in Alaska. In its March 2026 survey, 23 % of Americans said internet bills stress their household budget, and 41 % of former Affordable Connectivity Program users worried about paying each month. That federal discount ended in June 2024, and no comparable program has replaced it, according to the Congressional Research Service.

Add a mobile plan and a few streaming services, and connection costs add up quickly for a family. Here is a simple method to bring that down.

Step 1: measure what you really use

• Mobile data: on iPhone, open Settings → Cellular; on Android, Settings → Network & Internet. Many people pay for unlimited data but use only a few gigabytes, mostly on Wi-Fi.
• Home internet speed: a household that streams in HD and works from home rarely needs the fastest tier. Paying for gigabit speed is useful mainly for large households or heavy uploads.
• Subscriptions: list every streaming, cloud and app subscription on your bank statement.

Step 2: read the FCC "Broadband Facts" label

Since 2024, every provider must show a standard label for each home and mobile broadband plan, online and in stores, without hiding it behind several clicks. The label shows:

• the monthly price and the contract length;
• whether the price rises after a promotional period, and to what;
• all monthly and one-time fees, including equipment rental and early termination fees;
• typical download and upload speeds and latency;
• any data cap and the cost of going over it.

Compare the price after the promotion, not the advertised one. The difference is often where bills jump after 12 months.

Step 3: negotiate, or switch

• Call your provider before the promotional price ends and ask for a retention offer, mentioning a cheaper competitor's price.
• Return rented equipment if you can use your own approved modem and router; the label lists these fees.
• Check whether a cheaper speed tier meets your needs from Step 1.
• If another provider serves your address, compare their labels line by line.

Step 4: consider a smaller mobile carrier

Smaller carriers rent capacity on the networks of AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon and usually charge less for similar coverage. In Consumer Reports' surveys, carriers such as Consumer Cellular, Mint and Ting have ranked near the top for value and satisfaction, and more than half of members who switched reported saving money. The trade-off: during busy periods, the big networks can slow these customers' data first. Check coverage at your home and workplace, and keep your phone number when you switch.

Step 5: check Lifeline and cut unused subscriptions

• Lifeline: eligible households get up to $9.25 a month off phone or internet service (up to $34.25 on Tribal lands). You qualify with income at or below 135 % of federal poverty guidelines, or if someone in the household receives SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, federal public housing assistance or the Veterans Pension. Apply through the National Verifier at lifelinesupport.org or a participating provider. Only one benefit is allowed per household.
• Streaming: keep one or two services at a time and rotate them month by month instead of paying for all of them all year.
• Bundles: a "free" streaming service included in a phone plan can cost more once the offer ends; read the conditions.

Our checklist

• I know how much mobile data and internet speed I actually use.
• I compared the price after promotion on the Broadband Facts label.
• I called my provider before my promotion ended.
• I compared at least one smaller mobile carrier with good coverage where I live.
• I checked whether my household qualifies for Lifeline.
• I cancelled the subscriptions I did not use last month.

Verdict

Most households can save money on connection bills without losing service: read the FCC label, pay for the speed and data you really use, compare smaller mobile carriers and check Lifeline if your income is limited. For other ways to reduce household costs, read our guide to cutting your energy bill with smart home tech and our analysis of Americans' purchasing power.

This guide is based on public data, FCC rules and published consumer research. Prices and programs change; check current terms with your provider.