What Do You Do When Your Free Mobile Deal Ends?

The end of your first year of free mobile service is a signal that the price of your whole connectivity bundle is about to change.

Your internet provider is probably hoping it has you hooked, but don’t fall for it! Instead, take it as your cue to reassess your internet and wireless options. The goal isn’t loyalty to any single company; it’s finding the lowest possible rates for reliable service.

Start shopping now, or keep reading for a step-by-step guide to saving money after that free mobile promo expires.

Step 1: Can you get a better deal on internet service?

Internet providers offer mobile service so they can keep you in their ecosystem. The internet service is the real product—the bundle is just a way to keep you hooked.

When your one-year mobile deal ends, check your other promos too. Router leases and introductory rates often expire at the same time, making it the perfect moment to start shopping for better internet plans.

Here’s what to expect from the best home internet plans

• Download speeds of at least 500Mbps
• Unlimited data
• Prices of around $50 per month (including Wi-Fi equipment)
• No annual contract

Once you find suitable plans that reach your address, jot down the monthly prices in a notebook or spreadsheet. Next, start comparing prices for mobile service.

Step 2: When does your mobile promo end, and what will you pay afterward?

If you’ve been enjoying a free year of unlimited mobile service from your internet provider, you need to know two things: when the deal expires, and what you’ll have to pay going forward.

You’ll be billed automatically (and it will probably be an autopay debit). Your provider probably won’t warn you ahead of time, but here’s how you can keep the upper hand:

• Log in to your account, either online or on your provider’s app.
• Look through past statements to see when your free line started.
• Find your plan price—it will usually be listed in one spot, then deducted below.
• Look for bundle discounts.
• Make note of any monthly device payments (and refunds).
• Find plan specifics, (high-speed data limits hotspot data, international calling, etc.).
• Write down the one-year mark in your planner or calendar.

If you don’t have time to track down the details yourself, I get it. This whole process can be a huge pain, but the cheat sheet below may help.

Mobile prices to expect when your free line promo expires

These monthly prices for unlimited mobile service don’t include taxes and fees, and those vary based on where you live. But generally speaking, you can expect to pay between $35 and $50 extra every month when your free line promo expires.

Find out your specific numbers, and jot them down in the same spreadsheet or notebook where you noted prices for internet service.

Step 3: Are you still paying for your “free” smartphone?

If free mobile plans are a way to hook you on internet service, free mobile devices are a way to hook you on mobile plans.

Here’s how it usually works: You get a shiny new phone when you switch providers, and all you have to pay are taxes because your mobile company creates a finance plan that bills you over the next 36 months. Then, you get a monthly credit for the exact amount of your device payment. If you keep the same phone for all three years, it’s yours, and your provider will eventually unlock it. But if you cancel before the end of the third year, you’ll get a bill for any amount left on your finance plan.

If you already own your phone, on the other hand, you’re free to choose a new mobile plan anytime. If not, you’ll need to calculate your payoff cost as part of your shopping journey.

If you need a new phone, watch for deals while you shop—just read the fine print so you understand any long-term commitments.

Step 4: Is the everyday mobile pricing worth it?

Now that you’re clear on what your mobile service will cost after the promo expires, you can start comparison shopping.

Here’s a quick look at single-plan pricing for comparable plans from the Big Three wireless providers.

These big providers are known to sweeten the pot with free device deals, international calling, travel benefits, and perks like rewards and coupon programs. You’ll pay taxes and fees on top of the monthly price for AT&T and T-Mobile, but Verizon wraps fees into its advertised prices.

You’ll also notice that each of the Big Three also offers internet service, but whether you can get fiber internet or 5G home internet depends on your address. Either way, you won’t get that sweet offer for a year of free mobile service.

Step 6: Can you negotiate a better deal?

Once you have all your info on hand, it’s time to call your current provider. Even if you don’t decide to switch, you could negotiate a better rate or sign up for a new promo price.

If you’re calling in to cancel, be polite but firm. If nothing else works, just tell them that you’re moving out of the service area and make sure you return any leased equipment.

Your home internet service is the biggest expense in your bundle, and if you ask me, it is the most important. When your free mobile deal is about to expire, shop for internet service first. Then find out what the everyday price for the mobile plan will be, and comparison shop for a new plan. Pay attention to bundle discounts along the way, and don’t be afraid to call in and ask for discounts.

Fast, reliable connectivity is essential these days, but you deserve to pay the lowest possible price. Spend an hour shopping whenever your promos expire, and you could save hundreds.

Plans disclaimers