True Internet Cost Calculator

Internet is advertised at a promotional rate that is not the price. The price is the promo for a stated number of months, then the standard rate, plus equipment rental, plus line-item fees that are not taxes but appear next to them on the bill.

Working out the average monthly cost across the whole commitment is the only way to compare two offers honestly — and it is usually well above both advertised numbers.

Where the money actually goes

Equipment rental is the single most avoidable charge on most bills. It is billed monthly and forever, and on many networks a compatible modem or router you own works identically. Check the provider's approved device list before buying anything.

When the promo ends

Set a calendar reminder for one month before the promotional period expires. That is the moment you have leverage: retention offers exist, but they are offered to people who call, not to people who let the rate step up quietly.

Comparing two providers

Run both through this calculator over the same number of months. A plan with a worse promo and no equipment fee frequently wins over two years — which is exactly what the advertised numbers are arranged to hide.