Cheap Internet Compare the cheapest internet in Los Angeles

Here's a quick overview of how much data certain online activities use up. This is based on if you're only using the internet for one of these activities regularly, so if you're doing more than one of these or you're sharing your connection with multiple people in your household, then opt for a higher data allowance. 

For example, if you only use your home internet for emailing, then you should be fine with 50GB per month. If you use your internet for both emailing and YouTube, and your spouse also shares the connection, you should probably look at either the 500GB or unlimited data plans.

Data Usage for Popular Online Activities

What Internet Speed Do I Need?

When choosing the best cheap internet plan for your LA home, you not only need to decide how much data you need, but what upload and download speeds you need. To figure this out, you'll need to consider a few things, including:

• What you mainly use the internet for at home
• How many people/devices will be using the internet at the same time

Use the table below as a guide to help you decide what internet speeds you will need.

Main Use for Internet

If you only need the internet for the basics, such as sending emails and browsing the web, then you'll likely only need basic internet speeds—a 10Mbps download speed should do the trick. On the other end of the spectrum, if you stream high definition movies and TV shows regularly, are an avid online gamer, or work from home and need reliable and fast internet speeds, you will probably want to pick a plan with download speeds of at least 40Mbps. 

Number of People Sharing

With rent in Los Angeles being almost twice the national average, it's no wonder so many in this city live in share houses or temporarily rent out their spare rooms to travelers. While having extra people in your household can definitely lighten the load in terms of your rental payments, it may also result in issues with your internet connection and speeds, so make sure you choose an internet plan that is not only cheap, but is fast enough for all of your online needs.

Keep Your Internet Plan Cheap

The amount you'll pay for internet in Los Angeles varies depending on a number of things, such as whether you prefer cable or satellite, how fast you need your internet speeds to be, or whether you need unlimited data or not. Monthly costs range anywhere from $15/month for mobile internet to upwards of $100/month as speeds and data allowance increase.

If you're looking for a cheap internet plan, you'll not only need to take into account internet speed and data caps, but you should also:

• Make sure you read the fine print on the internet plan
• Take into account installation fees and cancellation fees

Check the Fine Print

Don't fall into the trap of choosing a cheap internet plan that fits your budget, only to find out your monthly cost is doubled after just a few months. Make sure you read the fine print and understand the terms of your internet plan. Some cheap internet plans will increase in monthly payments after 3 months, some after 12 months, so what once was a cheap plan can turn into a not-so-affordable one.

The good thing is, most cheap internet plans don't lock you into a contract, so you are free to cancel once your monthly fees go up. The best cheap plans to look for are the ones which have a price lock for 24 months which guarantees the same monthly cost for 2 years. 

Watch Out for Installation Fees

Another thing to watch out for is upfront fees which usually cover installation. DSL internet tends to have the lowest installation fees (usually about $10) with satellite installation being the most expensive, because they have to install a lot more than just a modem and router. If you change internet providers regularly (or plan to) then remember that you'll need to be paying installation fees each time you switch, unless of course there are no installation fees required.

Cancellation Fees

Luckily, most of the cheap internet providers in LA don't lock you into a contract, which means you are free to cancel whenever you like. So, if you're unhappy with the plan you picked or if you move to a new apartment, then you're free to cancel and choose a new plan.

If you do happen to choose a plan that locks you into a contract (usually satellite internet plans), then make sure you're aware of the early termination fees which can cost you $400 or more! 

Mobile Internet

If you tend to change your address regularly then mobile internet might be a good option for you. A mobile broadband plan lets you take your internet with you where ever you go by using a WiFi modem—no more canceling your plan, looking for a new one, and paying installation fees every time you move. In Los Angeles, cheap mobile internet plans are available from: 

• AT&T
• T-Mobile
• Verizon

Plans start at just $15/month and you can still get fast speeds of up to 90Mbps, however all mobile broadband plans in LA do come with a data cap. This means that you're allowed a certain number of GB each month and you'll likely be charged for any extra data you use. This can get very expensive, especially if you tend to use a lot of data each month. However, if you don't use the internet much at home, then mobile broadband might be your cheapest and best option. 

Fiber, DSL, Cable or Satellite: What's the Difference?

It can be confusing picking an internet plan that fits your needs if you don't know the difference between the options available to you. Here are some general guidelines to make it easier for you. 

Which is Best for My LA Apartment?

When deciding between cable, DSL, fiber and satellite internet, you'll need to consider what it takes to install your internet connection in your apartment, especially if you're renting like most people in Los Angeles. 

Cable and DSL

Cable and DSL are all generally easy for your internet service provider to install, since they use cables and a conveniently sized modem and router. These two options are usually your bet best when it comes to a cheap internet plan and cheap installation.

Fiber

Fiber is still not a an option for most homes in Los Angeles with only 9% of the city able to get connected this way. If you are one of the lucky ones who have fiber internet as a choice, then keep in mind that you'll need to have an Optical Network Terminal (ONT) installed in your home. These terminals are larger than your standard cable or DSL modem/router and may need to be mounted to a wall. This may be a problem if you need to repair the wall when you move out of your LA apartment.

Satellite

If you own your own house in Los Angeles, then installing a satellite dish on your property shouldn't be a problem. However, for all you renters out there, satellite internet might be the most difficult option when it comes to equipment installation. In Los Angeles, you're allowed to install a satellite dish in your private space, such as a balcony, as long as it is less than 1 meter (3.3 feet) in diameter. 

However, if your rental apartment doesn't have an outdoor space that's rented by you only, then you're in trouble. It's illegal to install a satellite dish in a common area like the roof or exterior wall outside of your private space, so you may have problems figuring out just where to put the dish. Your landlord might also have additional restrictions you need to follow when installing a satellite dish in your LA apartment and may even require you to carry additional renter's insurance to cover any injuries or accidents caused by the satellite dish. This could make your cheap internet choice, not so cheap after all.

Do I Need to Buy a Modem?

Los Angeles internet providers offer a variety of options when it comes to modems. They will either provide a modem to you for free, require you to bring your own modem (or give you the option to), or let you buy or rent a modem from them. Check your internet plan details carefully so you know whether you need to buy your own modem or not.

If you want to cut your costs in the long term, then buying your own modem is a good choice, instead of renting one from your internet provide. If you go this route, make sure the modem is compatible with your internet service provider first.

Do I Need a Router?

If you want to share your home internet connection with more than one device (and wirelessly), then yes, you'll need a router. Most internet service providers will provide you with a modem/router combo for a monthly rental fee, so that's probably the easiest option if you don't want the hassle of buying your own router. You'll just need to return the equipment if you cancel your internet plan. 

If you don't want to pay rental for your router, you can always buy your own and save some money in the long run. 

When choosing a router, make sure you buy one that is compatible with the types of speeds you will get on your internet plan. There's no point in getting an internet plan with speeds of up to 50Mbps if your router maxes out at 11Mbps 

On the flip side, your wireless router can only go as fast as your internet service. So if you have a super fast modem that allows speeds of up to 100Mbps, but you've picked a cheap internet plan that only allows speeds of up to 50Mbps, then you'll only ever experience speeds of up to 50Mbps. 

Which Internet Providers Can I Choose from in LA?

In Los Angeles, there are a number of internet service providers to choose from as well as a number of different types of service to choose from—DSL, cable, fiber and satellite.

If you're more interested in mobile broadband, then your options are:

• AT&T
• T-Mobile
• Verizon

Can I Bundle Internet with TV?

Select internet service providers in Los Angeles offer bundling options if you also want TV in your home. This is a smart option since most ISPs will discounts your monthly payments if you bundle. If you also want a home phone number, you can bundle all three together in some cases and make your monthly bill as cheap as possible.

Related Articles

• Home Internet: Which Type is Best for You?
• How to Find the Best Internet Plan in Your Area
• Test Your Internet Speed
• What Internet Speed Do I Need?
• Internet Data Usage Guide