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Internet First
Optimum Advantage Internet
Whether you’re a college student with a tight budget or a parent balancing middle or high school students with heightened broadband needs, finding good internet is no cheap or easy task. A reliable internet connection is essential for remote learning, homework, Zoom and just about everything these days. If you want to steer clear of towering multi-gigabit speeds and lessen the financial burden on you and your family, we’ve got you covered with a range of discounted internet plans.
Start with federal broadband programs
Before getting bogged down by provider-specific deals, start with useful federal programs that apply to your household. No matter which internet provider you end up choosing, many providers offer big discounts for participants in programs like Federal Public Housing Assistance, the National School Lunch Program, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families to name a few.
If you’re eligible for those programs and you’ve signed up, you’ll most likely be eligible for a discount on your internet plan.
With the end of the Affordable Connectivity Program, the most important cheap internet program to consider joining is Lifeline, which has been around since 1985. It’s often mistaken as a program solely for seniors, but Lifeline assists all low-income households. That makes it a viable option for families with K-12 kids or college students out on their own. Eligibility factors include income of 135% or less than the federal poverty guidelines or participation in federal assistance programs like FPHA or SNAP.
Once you qualify, you get a $9.25 monthly discount on your internet bill or $111 a year off your broadband costs.
Next, consider how much speed you actually need to meet your broadband needs. Most discounted plans from internet providers range between 50 to 100Mbps, which isn’t too fast but sufficient for most online research and Zoom requirements. If you’re looking for speeds beyond that, consider some generally cheap internet plans but note that although the starting price can average between $20 to $30, those prices will increase after a year or two of service.
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Speed range
50 Mbps
Price range
$10 a month
