What happens when your internet promo ends
Many internet deals are for 12 months, and the bill rises in month 13. You can see the real price before you sign up, and you can usually lower it again when it ends.
Before you sign up, find the regular price in the offer terms, not only the promo price. When the promotion ends, ask for a new offer or a longer price lock, and be ready to switch. Price locks of 3 to 5 years and plans with no promo price avoid the jump.
Why the price goes up
Promotional prices are discounts for new customers that last a set time, often 12 months. When the time is up, the plan moves to its regular rate. Some promotions also drop discounts for AutoPay, bundles or equipment, so the increase can be larger than the speed tier alone suggests.
Find the real price before you sign up
- Read the offer terms for the regular rate and when it starts.
- Check whether equipment, unlimited data and taxes are included.
- Look for a price lock or guarantee and how long it lasts.
- Use the FCC broadband label each provider must show; see how to read broadband labels.
When your promotion ends
- Note the date on your bill or in the account app.
- About a month before, compare offers at your address.
- Call and ask for a new promotion or a price lock. Mention a specific competing offer.
- If they won't match, switch. A new customer offer elsewhere is often cheaper than staying.
Our guide to negotiating your internet price has a script, and 2026 price increases tracks what each provider changed this year.
Plans without a year-two jump
Some plans avoid the jump: long price guarantees such as Xfinity's 5-year guarantee and T-Mobile's 5-year lock, and plans sold at one price, such as AT&T Fiber. See the cheapest internet plans for current prices.
How big the jump usually is
It depends on the provider and plan. The increase is the difference between the promotional and regular rates, plus any discounts that ended with the promotion, such as bundle, AutoPay or equipment credits. Check your bill for a line showing the promotion end date, and compare the plan price in the offer terms. Our 2026 price increases tracker lists provider changes.
Price lock, price guarantee and promo: the difference
| Term | What it means |
|---|---|
| Promotional price | A discount for a set time, often 12 months, then the regular rate |
| Price lock or guarantee | The plan price can't rise for the stated term, often 1 to 5 years; taxes, fees and add-ons can still change |
| Everyday price | No promo; the advertised price is the regular price |
What to say when you call
- "My promotion ended and my bill went up. What offers do you have to bring it back down?"
- "[Provider] at my address is offering [plan] for [price]. Can you match it?"
- If they offer something, ask: how long does it last, what is the regular price after, and is there a contract?
- If nothing works: "Please transfer me to cancellations." Retention teams often have better offers.
If you want to switch
New-customer offers elsewhere are often the cheapest option. Check providers at your address, then follow how to cancel internet so you aren't charged twice.
Lower the bill without switching
- Stop renting equipment you can buy: stop renting your modem.
- Drop to a slower tier if you don't use the speed you pay for.
- Check whether you qualify for a low-income plan: low-income internet.
- Make sure AutoPay and paperless discounts are applied.
A worked example
Example only: a plan advertised at $50/mo for 12 months with a regular price of $80/mo costs $600 in year one and $960 in year two, if nothing changes. That $360 difference is what a new offer, a price lock or a switch can save you each year.
Other fees that change after a promo
- Equipment rental that was free for a year.
- Unlimited data or speed add-ons included only during the promotion.
- Bundle discounts that end when the promotion does.
- Paperless and AutoPay discounts that need to be re-applied after a plan change.
Set a reminder
When you sign up, put the promotion end date in your calendar, with a reminder one month earlier. Note the regular price from the offer terms so you know what to expect.
Questions
Why did my internet bill go up after a year?
Your promotional price ended and the plan moved to its regular rate. Some discounts may also have ended.
Can I get the promo price again?
Often, by calling before or right after it ends and asking for a new offer, especially if you can name a competing price.
Which providers don't raise prices after 12 months?
Plans with multi-year price locks or a single price, such as Xfinity's 5-year guarantee, T-Mobile's 5-year lock and AT&T Fiber.
Does a price lock include taxes and fees?
Usually not. Price locks normally cover the plan price; taxes, fees, equipment and add-ons can still change.
When should I call about my promotion ending?
About a month before the end date, so you have time to compare and switch if needed.
Is it worth switching providers when a promo ends?
Often, if another provider at your address has a lower new-customer price and similar speed. Count installation, equipment and any cancellation fee first.