Got my internet bill this month and it quietly went from $65 to $78 — same speed, no notice I can remember. Called to ask about a better plan and they just offered me a slower tier at basically the same price, so it feels like a joke. The annoying part is there's literally one provider wired into my building, so I can't even threaten to leave. Anyone else stuck with zero choice and watching the price climb every year? What do you do, just pay it?
Single-provider buildings are where this hurts most. A few things that sometimes work: ask for the retention or loyalty department instead of regular support, and check whether your area has a 5G home internet option (T-Mobile, Verizon) or fixed wireless, since those don't need building wiring. Also worth checking if you qualify for any low-income internet plans the provider offers. Even mentioning a wireless alternative can get the price knocked back down.
Same boat here — my provider bumped mine up earlier this year with zero notice too. The retention department trick actually worked for me once: I called, said I was thinking of switching to a 5G home internet plan, and they magically found a "loyalty discount" that brought it back down. Worth one phone call at least.
One more thing to check: US providers now have to publish a standard "broadband facts" label for each plan, with the monthly price, any promo end date and extra fees. Comparing that label to your bill often shows whether the jump came from an expired promo or from a new equipment or "network" fee. Fees you never agreed to are the easiest ones to get removed with a call.