How Much Is High-Speed Internet & What Costs Should I Expect?

$60 to $80 a month is what most Americans shell out on average for their high-speed internet. And although many affordable internet services in the US cost below $60 a month, they don't necessarily qualify as a truly high-speed internet experience.

In order to answer the question “how much is high-speed internet in my area?” you first need to know how high-speed internet is defined, and then find out who in your area offers internet service that actually is high-speed. For example, it's possible to pay $100 or more for a fiber internet connection in your state while others can get the same service in another state for $79. This large fluctuation in price is largely due to fixed fees imposed by local city and/or state governments.

And up until this point, it's been a challenge for consumers to nail down just how much high-speed internet costs in their area, but that’s all changed now thanks to Fidium Fiber. With clear and straightforward pricing that’s easy to understand, our affordable high-speed internet plans offer a new way to experience the internet.

Why is there a need for high-speed internet, anyway?

The internet has become one of the most essential technological must-haves. We need it for many activities, such as schoolwork, our jobs, home security, and socializing.

Imagine 2020 without the internet. Everyone would have found quarantining to be more complicated. Staying connected with families and friends, keeping yourself entertained, and conducting your job and studies would have been an even bigger challenge.

The same idea applies to slow internet. Just think about how frustrating it is not to be able to hear or see the person on the other side of a video call—or worse, having the video or sound cut out during an online conference meeting. Unreliable internet is just as bad, if not more frustrating, than having no internet at all.

That's why high-speed internet makes sense to include in your monthly budget. If a reliable internet connection is an important part of your daily or work routine, then you should get the best high-speed connection available in your area. For example, when you need to download files or have HD video conferencing, the best choice is usually a fiber internet plan like Fidium’s that boasts symmetrical download and upload speeds.

But don’t take our word for it. The need to have affordable, high-speed internet has become something that politicians and public interest groups alike have been advocating now for quite some time.

In a recent open letter, members of the US Senate proposed the FCC change its current definition of high-speed internet, because “download speeds of 25 Mbps” and “upload speeds of 3 Mbps” no longer realistically define what high-speed internet is.

Maggie Hassan, a New Hampshire Senator was quoted saying “The COVID-19 pandemic has made even more clear that Granite State families and small businesses need fast and reliable internet access to succeed in today’s economy.” She has introduced bipartisan legislation that focuses on helping states, cities, and towns spur investment in rural broadband projects.

Emily Rusch, executive director of California Public Interest Research Group, also shares the same sentiment. She mentioned that the internet is a crucial part of every household, whether for work or studies. And it shouldn't cost you a lot of money.

Different types of high-speed internet connection

There are four main types of services that offer a high-speed internet connection. These are fiber, DSL, cable, and satellite. To understand how much a high-speed internet connection is, you’ll first need to decide which internet connection meets your needs, and then you’ll need to see if a provider in your area offers that service type.

 

DSL

Installing DSL may be easy since it can be done over existing telephone lines; however, this internet service has a few downsides. Distance affects the quality of connection, and upgrading is difficult.

Some internet providers also throttle the bandwidth and place caps on data usage when it comes to DSL plans. If this is the case, your connection will either slow down when you reach the cap or pay a premium to use extra data. Not every provider does this, so know your provider's business practice before pulling the trigger on this plan type.

Cable

Cable internet, on the other hand, doesn't depend on telephone lines. Rather, data is transmitted through a coaxial cable network into your modem, which then disperses connecting via Ethernet cable or wirelessly.

Both DSL and Cable still have fluctuating speeds and connectivity issues--something that you won’t experience with fiber optic internet.

Fiber

Fiber optic internet delivers faster speeds and larger bandwidths because it doesn't depend on electrical signals. Instead, it uses light signals that travel incredibly fast and don’t degrade over long distances. One of the only drawbacks is it is still not widely available to residential zones. Luckily, Fidium Fiber has set out to fix this problem by expanding fiber internet access.

The other downside for going with fiber is the more expensive installation cost. However, it's possible to sometimes have this fee waived if you choose the right fiber internet provider. At Fidium, we are happy to offer free installation on our 50 Mbps, 250 Mbps and 1 Gig Fiber internet plans.

So, how much is high-speed internet with fiber-optic cables? The cost of a Fidium high-speed fiber internet plan starts at $35/mo for 50 Mbps and depending on your internet needs, we have plans up to 2 Gigs. And even if your fiber plan ends up costing about the same as DSL or Cable, or even slightly more, the benefit of having a reliable high-speed internet connection at all times is priceless in today’s world.

Fiber has been the go-to choice for commercial use and is now becoming available to more residential zones. Fidium, for example, provides fiber-optic internet service to areas across Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont.

Satellite

Although most home internet plans don't include satellite internet access, satellite internet’s main appeal is that it offers global coverage and can reach even the most remote areas. The main drawbacks to satellite internet are price and speed.

The satellites in orbit supporting the service cost millions of dollars to create, so those costs end up trickling down to satellite service users. And the speed from the satellite connections often aren’t stable. The quality of internet connection is dependent on atmospheric conditions such as rain, snow and dust storms.

Which internet connection is the fastest and how much should it cost?

If you're still unsure of which internet type to choose, we can help. The following offers an idea of which high-speed internet connection type will provide you the best service to meet your needs, along with its anticipated costs.

What’s the fastest high-speed internet connection?

The answer is simple: A fiber-optic internet connection has the fastest speed among all four types. Not only that, but it’s also the most reliable and most flexible service.

You can even select a service that is tailored to your specific internet needs. This means you have a say on what features or add-ons accompany your internet connection. This allows you total control and gives you the most accurate answer to how much high-speed internet costs.

The Fiber Council Global Alliance (FCGA) even stated that fiber is the future of the work-from-home setup. It’s the solution to the existing high-speed connection struggles. The importance of a high-speed internet connection was very clear during the Covid-19 pandemic up until the present.

How much should a fiber internet connection cost?

A lot of people think that a higher internet speed connection like fiber always means higher costs. Even though this thought is sometimes valid, due to factors like location or internet usage needs, fiber internet often ends up being cheaper in the long run.

The National Cable & Telecommunications Association (NCTA) reports that, on average, the price per Mbps has decreased since 2000 by 98%. What used to be $28.13 per Mbps is, as of 2020, $0.64 per Mbps.

So, how much is high-speed internet? Let’s do the math.

Let’s say you signed up for a high-speed internet plan of 100 or 200 Mbps. The $0.64 average price per megabyte means you could expect to pay between $64-$128 for a good fiber internet connection.

Why does internet cost so much? Other fees to look out for.

Typically, the cost of equipment, installation and other expenses your internet service provider absorbs on your behalf are all contributing factors that can cause an internet service bill to cost more than anticipated.

Also, your provider needs to consider the costs that keep the company running, just like any other business. Those operating costs no doubt will play a role in how much you end up paying for your internet service. The following expenses should be taken into consideration to better understand how much high-speed internet is:

Equipment Rental

Internet and phone providers use their own modem for your in-home connection. They let you use their modem for a small fee which ranges from $10 to $20. Luckily, providers like Fidium already cover equipment in its plans, so there’s no additional cost.

Installation Fee

In some cases, internet service providers charge an additional fee for installation, usually between $100-200.

Late Payment Fee

Late payment fees serve as a guarantee for your provider. It’s usually no more than $12, but the charges vary by state and could get higher if you keep missing your bills.

FCC’s Universal Service Fund (USF) Fee

The FCC USF fee is something that telecom companies must pay to contribute to universal services that support telecommunication services at schools and other public facilities. The FCC regulates this fee, so there’s no way to avoid this one.

Cancellation Fee

The cancellation fee is the least discussed part of the contract. Some internet providers allow their customers to end contracts early for a reasonable fee if you give due notice. Others opt to let you pay a specific amount based on the remaining months left in your contract.

Some internet providers make it a point to hide this fee, only then to spring it on their customers as soon as they want to cancel service. This fee can range quite a bit by internet provider, so you’ll have to look at your individual contract.

Pro Tip: Always ask about the universal connectivity charge and cancellation fee. These are common yet often overlooked fees.

We at Fidium Fiber take a different approach for our fiber internet plans. Since we don’t require contracts, you’ll never have a cancellation fee if you decide to opt-out at any time.

What to expect from the best fiber high-speed internet connection

Aside from knowing how much high-speed internet is, you also likely want to know what to expect from it.

These are the following features you should look for:

Must have an internet speed of at least 50 Mbps

In the U.S, the average internet speed is around 50 Mbps, which supports basic video conferencing and web browsing without any issues. This speed tier for fiber internet supports 2 to 3 users, on average. The good news is that the Fidium’s internet plans start at 50 Mbps and can offer up to 1 Gigabit of blazing fast internet speed, ideal for families that demand the best in what high-speed internet can offer.

Allows whole-home connectivity

Fiber-optic internet service supports home connectivity. So if you have smart devices in your home, getting a whole-home WiFi network management app from your provider is an excellent choice. This lets you control your smart home device connections the way you want.

Have a dedicated connection

Private connection is another factor when understanding how much high-speed internet is. Dedicated internet access could be pricier than shared internet types. But your bandwidth limit and connection speed are more reliable because you’ll have a private connection. As a result, your internet speed won’t be affected during peak hours.

Have the same upload and download speed

Another amazing benefit for fiber-optic internet is providing symmetrical, or equal download and upload speeds. Other high-speed internet types may throttle your internet, so you won’t be guaranteed the same download and upload speeds.

But with Fidium, you’ll never have your internet throttled. What you pay for is what you get. You can confirm this by running an internet speed test. With Fidium, a 250 Mbps connection means you have 250 Mbps upload and 250 Mbps download speed. 

Offers customized service based solely on your internet needs

Choose a fiber internet service that allows you to choose a bundled package or a customized one. Most internet plans are limited to certain conditions. This could mean paying for add-ons and features that you don’t want or need. A premium fiber-optic service plan should be able to offer you customized service.

Fidium allows you to make changes and manage your plans. No bundles, no hidden fees. Only pay for what you want, the way you want.

Pro Tip: Be careful with bundles and always ask about hidden charges.

No data cap

Does fiber-optic have limits? Technically yes, but we don’t think you’ll tap out your fiber-optic internet usage anytime soon. A brand-new fiber-optic system can transfer up to 800 Gigs of data per second. This is astronomically high if you compare it to today’s top speed of 200 Gigs.

Takeaway

How much is high-speed internet? The range could start anywhere between $60 to $80 per month, with the exact answer depending on many factors such as location, download and upload speeds, internet service type as well as additional service provider fees.

That said, understanding what your high-speed internet needs are is the most important step.

With Fidium Fiber internet, you choose premium products that fit your needs at a price that’ll make you smile. You’re in charge of what gets included in your plan, such as VoIP home phone service, streaming TV service, or even extra WiFi extenders that knock out lingering dead spots in your home. Ready to get the best internet connection at the best price? Check if Fidium is in your area, and try us free for 30 days!