Bundling can cut both upfront and monthly costs when you combine home Internet with TV or even with mobile service. In 2025, cross‑category bundles (Internet + mobile) commonly deliver $20–$30 per month in recurring savings—examples include T‑Mobile Home Internet at $40/mo with an eligible voice line (vs. $60 standalone) and Verizon 5G Home Internet discounted by about $25/mo with select Verizon mobile plans. First‑year bundles like Spectrum One add roughly $35/month of value by including Advanced WiFi and one Unlimited Mobile line for 12 months. Upfront installation/activation fees are often waived when you order online; since 2024, the FCC’s Broadband Consumer Labels require providers to disclose one‑time fees clearly so you can spot and avoid unnecessary charges.
How to Save on Installation Fees
Most home Internet or TV orders include a one‑time setup charge—typically about $25–$150 depending on provider and whether you choose self‑installation or a professional visit. Major ISPs commonly list professional installation near $65–$100, while self‑install/activation or shipping fees, when present, run about $0–$25. Many of these fees are waived for online orders or bundle purchases, and the FCC’s Broadband Consumer Labels make those fees visible at checkout (current fee ranges and examples are summarized in CNET’s 2024 audit: CNET fee roundup).
Two ways allow you to save money on installation and setup costs:
- Self-installation: One way to save on installation costs is to install the Internet or TV service on your own without the help of the service provider or one of its technicians. This approach may or may not be an option, depending on the service provider you choose. Most large providers now support self‑install at eligible addresses, letting you avoid typical professional charges (~$65–$100) and sometimes all one‑time fees; watch for small activation or shipping items (~$20–$25) that can often be waived. Examples and how‑tos: Xfinity self‑install kits, Spectrum self‑install, AT&T Internet/Fiber self‑install, Verizon Fios self‑setup, and app‑guided fixed‑wireless setup like T‑Mobile 5G Home Internet. Current fee examples: Spectrum lists pro install around $65 and self‑install kit around $24.99; Verizon Fios and AT&T Fiber often disclose ~$99 setup that may be waived online (CNET).
- Bundle: The second way to save money on installation fees is to bundle your services, meaning you purchase Internet and TV services at the same time by the same service provider. Many providers waive setup/activation when you order multiple services online, and bundling can also reduce monthly bills—e.g., Verizon 5G Home Internet markets about $25/mo in recurring savings with eligible mobile, and Spectrum One includes Advanced WiFi plus one mobile line for 12 months (≈$35/mo first‑year value). Always confirm the exact one‑time fees and credits on the plan’s FCC Broadband Label before checkout.
Installation/Setup Fees
We evaluated some of the best TV providers and best Internet providers and some of the cheapest TV providers and cheapest Internet providers to determine their installation fees and how much you can save by bundling your Internet and TV services. Typical 2024–2025 ranges: professional installation around $65–$100+; self‑install or activation around $0–$25, with frequent online waivers (FCC labels; CNET fee roundup). Provider snapshots below reflect current public disclosures; verify details for your address at checkout.
| Provider | Installation/Setup Fees | Bundle Savings |
|---|---|---|
| AT&T | Professional installation commonly around $99; self‑install offered at eligible Fiber/Internet addresses (fees often waived online) (CNET; AT&T SI guide) | AT&T emphasizes Straightforward Pricing (no 12‑month step‑up) rather than standardized recurring bundle credits; occasional online promos may waive setup |
| Verizon | Fios setup typically around $99 (often waived online); 5G Home setup varies by promo (CNET) | About $25/mo off 5G Home when bundled with select Verizon mobile plans, plus many Home Internet plans advertise multi‑year price guarantees (often 2–3 years, plan/promo dependent) (offer details; Fios) |
| Comcast | Typical pro install ~$65–$100+; self‑install often $0–$25 for activation/shipping (market/promo dependent) (CNET; Xfinity SI) | Internet + Xfinity Mobile bundles commonly advertise up to roughly $30/mo savings depending on plan mix (Xfinity examples) |
Is Bundling Worth It?
Bundling can pay off if it reduces both one‑time fees and your ongoing bill. For home Internet, providers increasingly use explicit price assurances: Verizon 5G Home and Fios frequently advertise multi‑year price guarantees (often 2–3 years; verify duration for your ZIP), AT&T Fiber promotes “Straightforward Pricing” with no 12‑month step‑up, and Xfinity typically guarantees your promotional rate during a 12–24 month term agreement. Cross‑category bundles are a major savings lever in 2025: Internet + mobile combinations routinely deliver $20–$30/month in recurring value (e.g., T‑Mobile, Verizon), while first‑year packages like Spectrum One bundle WiFi and a mobile line for an effective ≈$35/month of added value.
Double play vs. triple play: A “double play” usually means Internet + TV (or Internet + phone), while “triple play” adds both TV and home phone. Today, many households don’t need a landline—an estimated 72.6% of U.S. adults lived in wireless‑only households in 2023 (CDC). Pay‑TV usage continues to contract (66% of U.S. TV households had a pay‑TV service in 2024, per Leichtman Research Group), while Nielsen shows streaming with the largest single share of TV usage. As a result, triple play can look cheaper per service but often yields the highest total monthly bill once you include TV‑specific add‑ons (e.g., broadcast and regional sports fees) and phone taxes/911 surcharges. For example, Xfinity’s Broadcast TV Fee is charged on top of the advertised TV price. If you don’t actively use all three services, a double play—or even Internet‑only plus streaming—often delivers a lower total cost. Also note affordability changes: the FCC’s Affordable Connectivity Program wound down in 2024, so households can no longer rely on ACP credits to offset bundle costs.
Trends to watch: Operators are “superbundling” content and connectivity to reduce churn and meet budget sensitivity. Comcast launched StreamSaver (Peacock, Netflix with ads, Apple TV+) for Xfinity customers; Disney, FOX, and Warner Bros. Discovery announced Venu Sports to consolidate major sports into one streaming experience; and carriers use rotating perks (e.g., T‑Mobile’s MLS Season Pass) as retention plays. Deloitte’s industry outlook highlights consumer appetite for aggregation and ad‑supported price points (Deloitte Digital Media Trends).
Important clarification about “custom channels”: In analytics and engagement tools, “custom channels” refer to configurable reporting or messaging constructs (e.g., GA4 custom channel groups, Adobe Marketing Channels, Braze custom channels, Customer.io Actions). This is different from pay‑TV. Traditional TV/streaming providers don’t let you build a literal “custom channel” lineup; instead, they personalize via package options and content recommendations. If you won’t use multiple services, compare Internet‑only plans first using the FCC’s Broadband Consumer Labels, then add streaming apps or a live TV streaming service only if needed.
