Your internet slows down at night because more people in your neighborhood are online at the same time, creating network congestion. This is most common with cable internet, which uses a shared network infrastructure. The fix depends on your situation — but options include upgrading your plan speed, switching to fiber, adjusting your router placement, or changing how your household uses bandwidth during peak hours. You've probably noticed it: your internet works fine during t

You can often lower your internet bill without switching providers by calling to negotiate, removing unused add-ons, buying your own modem/router, asking about loyalty discounts, or checking if you qualify for a low-income program. Many people save $10–$40 per month just by asking. Your internet bill went up — again. It happens to almost everyone. Providers quietly raise rates after your promotional period ends, tack on equipment fees, and hope you don't notice. The good news

AT&T Access offers discounted internet from $0–$30/month for qualifying low-income households. See eligibility requirements, plan details, and how to apply.

Most major internet providers offer self-installation kits that let you set up your internet without scheduling a technician. You'll receive a modem, router, cables, and instructions. The process typically takes 15–30 minutes and requires no technical experience. Cable and fiber-to-the-home connections are the easiest to self-install; some fiber and DSL setups still require a technician. Waiting for a technician appointment is one of the most frustrating parts of getting new

Download speed is how fast data comes to you — streaming videos, loading websites, receiving emails. Upload speed is how fast data goes from you — video calls, sending files, posting photos. For most people, download speed matters more day-to-day, but upload speed matters a lot if you work from home, video chat frequently, or create and share content online. When you're shopping for internet, you'll see two numbers: download speed and upload speed. Most plans heavily favor do

The Affordable Connectivity Program may be gone, but low-income families still have real options in 2026. From federal Lifeline discounts to state-level programs, affordable internet is out there. You just need to know where to look. We'll walk you through the best plans available and how to find what's offered at your address.

The Lifeline program provides a $9.25 monthly discount on internet service for eligible households, helping to lower your internet bill.

The fastest way to find internet providers at your address is to use a tool like FreeConnect — enter your address and instantly see every plan, provider, and price available where you actually live. Not just your zip code — your exact address. Most people don't realize that internet availability can vary from one street to the next — sometimes even between two houses on the same block. Your neighbor might have fiber while you're stuck with DSL. The only way to know for sure i

No internet connection? Follow this step-by-step troubleshooting guide to diagnose and fix common internet problems fast, from router resets to ISP outages.