With the holiday season approaching, everyone is looking for ways and opportunities to stay connected with their family and friends, especially during Christmas. But, it is mostly the seniors who are looking more, especially the ones who live distant. Holidays bring out the importance and need of having reliable internet access for literally everyone in order to get on video calls, do some last-minute online shopping for gifts and decor, etc. Thus, finding the best internet deals that are appropriately tailored to seniors is quite essential, and sometimes becomes a huge task altogether like going on a scavenger hunt.
The merry news is that there are now a number of service providers who are offering quite attractive offers that are meant to cater seniors or older adults in specific. This is to ensure that they too get or are able to the perks of the digital transformations without having to break the bank.
Internet Access for Seniors
Looking for the best internet deals for seniors is one thing, but what needs to be understood first is that why is the internet access important for seniors, especially, and for what they come to use. Just like any other user, the world of internet also provides the seniors with a gateway to a lot of things as well.
Social Connection
One of the very first things that the internet serves you with is the ability to make video calls and use the different social media platforms. This is something that the best internet deals can provide to the seniors, i.e. the ability to stay connected with family and friends, and feel their presence, though virtually. This further helps them combat the feelings of loneliness, especially during the holiday season.
Information Access
The seniors can easily find any information on health or hobbies, can get news, etc. when they need to, as per their requirements. With internet access through the best internet deals, they do not have to think about how to figure out such information.
Online Shopping
With a lot of seniors preferring to shop from the comfort of their own homes, be it due to health restrictions or something else, a reliable internet connection gets the job done. It gives them the ability to browse and purchase gifts without any hassle, and also send presents to friends and family who live at distance with ease.
Telehealth Services
Alongside a ton of service providers providing the best internet deals, many healthcare providers are also offering telehealth services. This is an extremely convenient offer that is essential for seniors, since it will be easier for them to get any health advice or medical help with ease.
The Best Internet Deals
Here are the best internet deals for seniors this Christmas:
Xfinity: Internet Essentials
The internet plan brought by Xfinity’s Internet Essentials is one of the best internet deals, with pretty excellent options for seniors. This option range needs to be accessed by qualification based on the participation in certain programs like Medicaid or Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
This deal is one of the cheapest and best internet deals as it costs around $10 to $30 per month, providing internet access speed up to 50 Mbps and 100Mbps with upgrade to the $30 plan. There are no credit checks or data caps required, and it enables the users to get free access to Xfinity Wi-Fi hotspots.
Pros and Cons:
This plan is offered at quite an affordable price, and as for being one of the best internet deals, Xfinity also has a good customer satisfaction rating. It is a pretty reliable service with no hidden fees as such.
Though cheap and reliable, in certain areas, the availability is quite limited. But again, after the promotion periods, the prices tend to go higher.
Astound Broadband: Internet First
Also among the best internet deals offered is Astound Broadband’s Internet First plan. This plan is aimed at low-income households that include seniors who receive SSI or Medicaid.
This plan provides a speed of 50 Mbps at a cost of $10 per month, that too with the first three months being free. It also has other features like no included contracts or even credit checks. There is a free modem inclusion as well.
Pros and Cons:
A significant advantage Astound offers is that the initial cost is low with the free three months. The no data caps feature giving out unlimited data and the flexibility that comes with the terms of commitment not being long-term, adds to pros.
But, there is a little downside as well. The availability of the internet service is limited to certain specific states, which count up to only 12.
Optimum: Advantage Internet
Optimum’s Advantage Internet is a plan that too falls under the best internet deals. It has been designed especially for seniors that are aged 65 and older, who also receive SSI or military benefits.
This comes at a cost of $15 per month with again 50 Mbps speed. Unlimited data, no contracts as such and installation for free, that too with a modem or router combo, are just some additional features.
Pros and Cons:
What makes this plan more attractive is the pairing of high speed with such competitive pricing. Here again, there are no contracts required and it’s free of data caps.
Compared to the other competitors, the ratings for customer satisfaction are lower. The availability also might be limited when it comes to certain regions.
AT&T: Access from AT&T
The Access from AT&T, brought by AT&T is mostly available on an eligibility basis from low-income households participating in certain programs like SNAP or SSI.
This plan at the cost of $30 per month is providing with a speed of 100 Mbps. This plan also does not include any contracts or charges for installation, getting it a spot in the list of one the cheapest and best internet deals. The fiber plans being with unlimited data is an added perk.
Pros and Cons:
What puts on a slightly better place for appeal is the higher internet speed that it offers. The good customer service reputation, with unlimited data provided, adds to the pros.
This too has limitations when it comes to availability in certain locations, and the DSL plans have chances to be slower when put in compassion with fiber optics.
Spectrum: Internet Assist
One of the best internet deals is Spectrum’s Internet Access program, which is aimed for new customers who are aged 655 and over, receiving benefits from SSI.
The best internet deals’ offering in this case is of a speed that is up to almost 50 Mbps for a cost of $25 per month. The rest of the offers are quite similar to the rest of the deals by other competitors available in the market.
Pros and Cons:
This has a very straightforward pricing scheme without any hidden fees added, which again makes this entire plan extremely easy to understand and consider. As an addition to the other perks, the users also get to gain access to all of Spectrum’s Wi-Fi hotspots across the entire nation.
In thorough comparison with its existing competitors in the market, the prices seem slightly higher, which follows by a somewhat steep rise in the price after the first year.
Cox Communications: ConnectAssist
The ConnectAssist plan by Cox targets its offer to low-income households that are without children but it does include a spot for seniors.
At $30 per month for 100 Mbps, with the modem free of any additional costs and the access to over 4 million Wi-Fi hotspots makes it one of the best internet deals for seniors.
Pros and Cons:
Making this plan attractive is the availability of high speed options across service areas. The appeal also does increase with pretty reasonable data usage terms that the plan offers.
This plan is pricier than what other cable internet providers have to offer, and the price rise with time makes the costs a quite significant downside.
Rise Broadband: Military Veteran Discount
This is only for military veterans who are seeking to have internet access. This plan brings to the table a discount of something like 10% off on monthly service plans. As for the cost of the plan, it is available for $45-$65 per month for 25-50 Mbps speed.
Conclusion
This Christmas, there are quite a few options to choose from best internet deals for seniors. The seniors can take the advantage of the affordable and best internet deals that would contribute in enhancing their connectivity with family and friends, and in the end, the overall quality of life as well.
Exploring all the best internet deals, based on personal preferences and individual needs, it is time for seniors to find their best fit that will make their holiday season merry, connecting them to family and friends. Staying in touch with loved ones, especially during this time of the year, is more important than ever.
