Just when you thought the rising cost of living couldn’t get any more overwhelming, AT&T is back at it again by increasing their home internet prices for the second consecutive year. Sean Hollister, a seasoned senior editor and a founding member of The Verge, offers insights on technology, gadgets, and more, having spent over 15 years refining his editorial skills at notable sites like CNET, Gizmodo, and Engadget.
Nowadays, it feels like everything is subject to relentless price increases—so why should your home internet bill be any different? Recently, AT&T has announced a $5 monthly hike for all of its internet plans, a detail confirmed to The Verge by the company itself. This new fee comes on the heels of a similar $5 increase last November and appears to build upon additional increases experienced by some customers in 2023.
In an email received last Thursday, AT&T stated, "To ensure we continue providing the quality service and support you deserve, the price of your home internet plan will increase by $5/month, starting December 1, 2025." This change is not an isolated incident but will apply broadly to various plans.
Jim Kimberly, representing AT&T, elaborated on the company’s reasoning: "As we work to meet the evolving needs of our business and manage increasing operational costs, we’re adjusting our internet plan rates to help maintain the high-quality service our customers expect. We’re committed to keeping customers informed about these updates and their choices." To alleviate the financial impact of these price adjustments, AT&T is offering incentives. Customers who enroll in Autopay and Paperless Billing through an eligible bank account can enjoy a $10 monthly discount; a $5 discount is available for those using a debit card. Interested users can find all related details about their plan and fees on their monthly bills or by visiting att.com.
Now, let’s address an interesting contradiction: while AT&T recently reported a staggering $300 million increase in operational costs, they also experienced an impressive profit margin of $4.9 billion within the same three-month timespan. Even more notable, the company reported a total net profit of $12.3 billion for the entire 2024 calendar year.
Kimberly further mentioned that although this price rise will affect all AT&T Internet plans, it will exclude customers who joined within the past year, as well as those participating in the Access from AT&T program designed for low-income households.
Reflecting on my personal experience, I originally subscribed to AT&T in 2022 for approximately $80 a month. My bill has already climbed to $85.38, and it seems likely that I will soon be paying over the $90 mark. Here is the entire email I received regarding this price change:
Screenshot by Sean Hollister / The Verge
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