Internet Contracts: What You Should Know

Contracts spanning twelve months or more can be a hard pill to swallow when signing up for Internet service. Many providers will lure you into a one-year or two-year contract with a lower upfront price (only for it to be hiked back up the first month after the contract is up), while others simply don’t allow you Internet service until you’ve signed one. So many providers do this that long-term contracts have become the norm in Internet service. You’ve likely either entered or will enter one of these contracts at some point as an Internet user.

Contracts are often rife with fine print and technical terms to the point that they can be overwhelming and confusing, and contain tricks like hidden fees that can end up being costly to you. And once you’re in one, getting out is an unpleasant experience. You don’t have to worry about these kinds of long-term agreements to get water, gas, or power. So why do you need to deal with them to get Internet?  

Let’s talk about what you should look out for in these contracts when considering signing up for Internet service.

Promotional Pricing

This trick has gotten everyone at some point. As you shop around for Internet service providers and plans, you immediately notice a price far lower than the others. It seems too good to be true. You sign up for the year-long agreement and get accustomed to paying that low price each month. Then, the thirteenth month rolls around and your bill now has a price that makes your jaw hit the floor.

If this hasn’t happened to you, it’s definitely happened to several people you know. That low price that gets people to commit without question is just the starting price. And to be fair it’s often listed as such, but you hardly ever know what price you’ll have to pay after the twelfth month until it’s on your bill. So, if you’re not already skeptical about prices that are presented as “starting at” a certain amount, you should be. If possible, look for a provider that offers lifetime pricing. It’ll usually be advertised on their website.

Early Termination Fees

Whether they have been used to trap you in the last few months of a year-long contract, or you have actually had to pay them, there’s a good chance you’ve been a victim of early termination fees. There are several reasons why you might not be able to keep an Internet service for a full year. You might need to move to an area where that provider’s service isn’t offered. Your financial situation might have changed and you need to switch to a more affordable service. You might just be disappointed with the level of speed and reliability you’re getting and want to change to a higher quality service. If you’re looking through an Internet provider’s contract, make a point to find out exactly what happens if you need to cancel service before the end of the term.

Hidden Fees

No matter what Internet service you’re joining, it’s always a good idea to carefully review their terms and conditions. It may be a pain, but it’s well worth it in the end since that’s where you can find any hidden or extra fees like sales tax, administrative fees, overage fees, and network recovery fees. If you’re signing a contract, you need to carefully search it for these kinds of fees as well, as they typically have them in the fine print.

Don’t let yourself get tricked by an Internet provider’s annual contract. They’ve become so prevalent in Internet service because providers have had a lot of success in using them to earn more revenue off of their customers. One of the best things you can do for yourself is find a provider with no long-term contract. A provider that offers a month-to-month service will allow for a much more flexible and transparent Internet experience.

That is why Tachus offers a fast, reliable fiber Internet service with no annual contracts, hidden fees, or sudden price hikes. Interested in getting fiber Internet with lifetime, transparent pricing? Check your address and see if we’re in your community.

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