Did You Know: All Spectrum Internet plans come with a free antivirus software subscription. This is perfect for older adults, who tend to be more prone to virus and malware attacks.
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May 18, 2023
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Regardless of age, humans are innately a social species. Older adults especially thrive when having an active social life. But owing to the pandemic, you might find yourself unable to visit family and friends physically. As an expert in senior care, I have seen how a home Internet connection can help older folks stay in touch with loved ones and ward off feelings of loneliness.
Unfortunately, high-speed Internet packages are often beyond the means of the average pensioner or social security recipient. Spectrum tries to close this gap and make Internet connections more accessible with its affordable plans. The deeply discounted Spectrum Internet Assist program is an example of how the brand seeks to meet the Internet needs of older adults on a budget.
Spectrum Internet is an offering of Connecticut-based Charter Communications, a telecommunications and mass media company founded in 1993. Aside from the broadband connection, the Internet Service Provider (ISP) also offers voice, cable, and mobile services.
You may need the Internet to video-call your loved ones, send emails, or use helpful devices like medical alert systems and medication dispensers. Whatever your usage patterns, Spectrum Internet has a plan to meet the need. It has a nation-wide three-tiered pricing system, with speeds up to 1 Gbps (1000 Mbps) (wireless speeds may vary), ensuring that users of all experience levels can find a plan for their needs. Priced between $49.99 and $89.99 per month (for 12 months), Spectrum Internet offers high-speed Internet to older subscribers who are looking for easy-to-install, unlimited, and reliable service.
Did You Know: All Spectrum Internet plans come with a free antivirus software subscription. This is perfect for older adults, who tend to be more prone to virus and malware attacks.
Sometimes it's difficult to know if a plan or service provider is right for you. Luckily, Spectrum Internet does not bind subscribers to any long-term contracts, unlike brands such as Xfinity and AT&T. With Spectrum Internet, you can cancel your subscription any time, without any worries about early termination fees and the like.
Spectrum Internet is one of the top three largest ISPs in the USA. It offers Internet plans to users across 41 states via hybrid fiber-coaxial infrastructure. To check if your area is covered by the ISP, just enter your address into the Spectrum website. If you live in a major metro area, you will most likely be able to use their services.
Did You Know: Spectrum Internet subscribers get free access to over 500,000 WiFi hotspots, across the nation.
In case you have already signed up for a long-term Internet plan with another service provider, Spectrum Internet gives you an easy out. With its contract buyout program, you may purchase Spectrum Internet and get up to $500 to cover the early termination fee charged by your previous service provider. This offer is valid to customers in select states only.
Needlessly complex Internet plans do not really help anyone. All they do is confuse older adults as they struggle to choose the right one. You might even end up paying extra for features you don’t need. With this in mind, I appreciate that Spectrum Internet has a few simple plans with no separate charges for modem rentals. For an extra five dollars per month, you can even rent a WiFi router so that multiple devices can be wirelessly connected to your in-home network.
Here are some of the more popular plans offered by Spectrum Internet:
75% of older adults have a broadband connection at home to stay connected to their loved ones, and Spectrum’s basic Internet plan can easily serve this purpose. This Internet package, with speeds up to 300 Mbps, is also perfect for older adults who like to watch videos, send emails, and shop online. At $49.99 per month*, it is the most affordable Spectrum Internet plan. It also has enough bandwidth to allow 2-3 people to simultaneously download files and browse the web.
This mid-range plan delivers speeds up to 500Mbps and costs $69.99 per month**. It's ideal for older adults who frequently stream movies or TV shows in HD, work from home, or connect multiple devices to the broadband network.
You get speeds of up to 1 Gbps at $89.99 per month*** with this premium plan. Apart from everyday Internet browsing and video streaming, this plan allows you to run all of your smart devices, from home security systems to fall detection sensors and smart locks. In case your grandkids visit often, this plan offers enough speed for them to play video games and watch cartoons without any noticeable lag.
All Spectrum Internet plans come with a free Internet modem and free antivirus software. They also do not have any data caps, which means you can use as much data as you need without worrying about penalties for crossing data limits.
Here is the low-down on the three Spectrum Internet plans:
| Spectrum Internet Plan | Internet | Internet Ultra | Internet Gig |
|---|---|---|---|
| Download Speeds | Up to 300 Mbps | Up to 500 Mbps | Up to 1 Gbps |
| Monthly Price (for one year)* | $49.99 | $69.99 | $89.99 |
*Spectrum Internet prices may rise after the first year.
The most cost-effective way for you to purchase Spectrum Internet is through the brand’s website, which often features online-only deals. Truth be told, this touchless means of purchasing broadband packages also offers a safer and more convenient alternative to older adults visiting one of the brand’s brick and mortar stores.
With that said, if you prefer talking face-to-face with a customer care representative before making a rental decision, Spectrum Internet stores are also open for business. You may also call their toll-free number to find out about new offers and authorize any changes to your current services.
In line with their measures to keep users safe from the pandemic, Spectrum Internet currently offers self-installation and contact-free delivery. Once you register for a rental plan, self-install kits featuring the internet equipment (such as modems and routers), along with simple set-up instructions, will be shipped to your doorstep.
If at any point during the installation you get stuck, use the Spectrum Internet app, customer care number, or the support page on the website to get immediate help. Even though the setup is pretty straightforward, many older adults prefer the convenience of getting it done professionally. This service will come at an additional cost (starting at $49.99).
According to Pew Research, 50 percent of older adults do not have an Internet connection at home. That’s a dismal statistic considering a sound broadband network can add so much value in terms of safety, convenience, and entertainment. To make it easier for older folks and people of certain disadvantaged groups to access the Internet, Spectrum has an Internet Assist program.
Individuals who qualify for this plan get a hugely discounted 30 Mbps connection at $14.99 per month, along with a free modem and security suite. Much like all the other Spectrum Internet plans, this one doesn't involve any data caps or contracts.
You are eligible for this program if you are over 65 years of age and a recipient of the Supplemental Security Income assistance program. Otherwise, someone from your household needs to be enrolled in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) or the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) of the NSLP. To subscribe to the Internet Assist plan, all you need to do is fill out an online form and furnish necessary supporting documents.
What I specifically loved about Spectrum Internet is that it has just three to four plan options to choose from. For some, this might seem limiting, but I believe this simplicity makes it really easy for older adults to compare and buy the connection online. There exist cheaper options in the market, such as Frontier (starting at $29.99 per month) and Cox (starting at $39.99). But, Spectrum Internet's blazing fast speeds, free equipment, and contract-free services are worth the extra penny spent. You can also peruse their bundle plans and get TV, voice, and Internet services at great value for your money.
Though it is a little disappointing that Spectrum Internet doesn't have unique plans tailored to older adults, they have a low-cost Internet Assist plan that seeks to put broadband connections into older adults’ homes.
Just call the Spectrum Internet toll-free number and return any rented equipment to cancel the internet service. Thanks to the Spectrum Internet 30-day money-back guarantee, you can change your mind about the service during the trial period and cancel to get a full refund. Since it’s a contract-free service, you can cancel at any time and not worry about early cancellation charges.
You can pay your Internet bill via the Spectrum Internet website, mobile app, stores, or toll-free customer care number. You can also set up automatic payments to Spectrum Internet through your checking account.
All you need to do is pay an extra $5 per month, in addition to your internet plan, to rent a Spectrum Internet WiFi route. With this, you can build a reliable wireless network for your home. Alternately, there are 50,000 WiFi hotspots across the nation that Spectrum Internet subscribers can use for free.
Users of Spectrum Internet services also gain free access to antivirus scanning software. With it, you may enjoy real-time protection against threats, in the form of virus and spyware detection and removal.
