Internet access is essential for students, employees, and parents, but it can be a costly recurring expense. So what do you do when you don’t want to (or can’t) pay an internet plan’s full price but still need to turn in assignments, apply for jobs, or communicate with your kids’ teachers online? Keep reading to learn six reliable methods you can try to get free or discounted internet:
- Get Free Internet Access Through Your Public Library
- Enjoy Complimentary Wi-Fi at Restaurants and Stores
- Sign Up for a Free Internet Plan
- Use Your Occupation to Get Discounts on Internet Service
- Apply for Government Programs Offering Low-Cost Internet Service
- Subscribe to These Providers for Discounted Internet Service
1. Get Free Internet Access Through Your Public Library
Books are only the beginning at the public library. Your local public library is one of the best places to turn to for free digital resources as well. Most libraries allow members to use desktop or laptop computers in their Wi-Fi-connected buildings. Some public libraries will even let you take a device and an internet hotspot home for a limited amount of time.
Here’s the best part about the public library: Internet access is free! All you need to do is sign up for a library card (also free) by showing proof of residence.
2. Enjoy Complimentary Wi-Fi at Restaurants and Stores
Are you hungry? You can get a meal with a free side of Wi-Fi from most restaurants and cafes. Just bring your phone or laptop and connect to the appropriate network. Fast-food chains almost always provide free internet access, and coffee shops that offer free Wi-Fi, like Starbucks and Panera Bread, cater to people who use the internet to work (and take coffee breaks).
Cyber Safety and Public Wi-Fi: Public Wi-Fi can be a lifesaver, but only when it’s safe. Ask the business for the exact Wi-Fi name and password to ensure you’re connecting to the right source. Some hackers will try to trick you into connecting to a false network with a duplicate name so they can swipe your data. |
Food destinations aren’t the only establishments using free Wi-Fi to attract patrons. You can find free Wi-Fi at most hotels, grocery stores, and general retailers (like Target and Walmart). Make the most of your next grocery trip and tackle your online errands in the checkout line!
3. Sign Up for a Free Internet Plan
While public Wi-Fi is a valuable community perk, you need transportation to get to the businesses providing it. If you don’t have a way to get around town, you need another solution: a free internet plan. FreedomPop and NetZero are two internet providers making free internet access widely available nationwide.
FreedomPop
FreedomPop is an internet and mobile phone provider making cheap internet plans available to anyone who wants to subscribe to their service. The FreedomPop Freemium plan is entirely free and comes with the following features:
- 25 MB of LTE data
- Unlimited Wi-Fi calling
- Text messaging (unlimited iMessages and RCS through Wi-Fi)
FreedomPop is a good choice for anyone who can regularly access Wi-Fi since it allows unlimited Wi-Fi calling and texts. The data limit and speeds are low but enough for occasional use of map apps, web browsing, and email.
NetZero
You can get internet for free through NetZero, a dial-up internet provider. Dial-up internet service is much slower than DSL, cable, and fiber. But if you want to access the internet for free without leaving your home, the NetZero dial-up plan is a lifesaver. For $0 per month, you get the following:
- Speeds up to 56 Kbps (kilobits per second)
- 10 hours of free service per month
- One month of free Norton 360 all-in-one cyber protection
We’ll be honest: 56 Kbps is a sluggish connection. The FCC considers 25 Mbps the low limit for high-speed internet. One Mbps is 1,000 Kbps. That means that 56 Kbps is a fraction of the speed of the slowest high-speed internet plans. That said, it’s free and can get you basic browsing capacity from the comfort of your home.
4. Use Your Occupation to Get Discounts on Internet Service
You may be eligible for discounted or free internet service just by being you! Kind of. Businesses show appreciation and give back to their communities by supporting certain groups, such as:
- Students: K-12 or higher-education students can talk to their school administrators to determine if they’re eligible for free devices and discounted or free internet. T-Mobile’s Project 10Million program offers eligible households with students enrolled in the National School Lunch Program 100 GB of free internet per year for five years.
- Military: Military personnel can often access discounted cell phone and internet plans by showing their military ID. For example, Rise Broadband offers active and retired military customers a 10 percent discount on their monthly bill.
- Seniors: Phone and internet providers may provide reduced rates to support adults 55 and over. Low-income seniors can apply to receive reliable high-speed internet for just $9.95 per month through Internet First from RCN.
- Teachers: Actively licensed teachers may be able to get discounts on their internet plan. Optimum has a history of offering free internet to teachers for a limited time.
5. Apply for Government Programs Offering Low-Cost Internet Service
The internet connects people to their jobs, schools, relatives, and essential services, but low-income families are disproportionately disconnected from reliable service. Government programs offer free internet for low-income families to bridge that digital divide.
Low-Income Eligibility: Qualifying criteria varies, but most government programs require their applicants to be at or below a certain percentage of the poverty line or enrolled in a financial assistance program (like TANF, SNAP, or free and reduced-price school lunch). |
The Affordable Connectivity Program is a long-term benefit intended to help COVID-impacted low-income families get affordable internet. Eligible families can apply online to get up to $50 off their internet bill (up to $70 for families living on tribal lands) and a $100 discount on a computer device.
The FCC Lifeline program is another federal support providing eligible families with a discount of up to $9.25 per month (or $34.25 per month for households on tribal lands) on their phone or internet bill.
6. Subscribe to These Providers for Discounted Internet Service
The FCC and nonprofits work with the major internet providers to make high-speed internet plans more affordable to financially stretched families. Public Wi-Fi and free internet plans are helpful, but they can’t support extensive internet needs.
Does Your Provider Offer Free Wi-Fi Hotspots? Internet providers like Xfinity make public Wi-Fi available to their existing customers for free. With millions of hotspots located all over the country, Xfinity customers don’t have to worry about using their mobile data to get online. |
Here’s some exciting news: Eligible households can get discounted high-speed internet service from the following major providers:
You can find out if one of these providers offers discounted internet service in your area by entering your address below: