Is WiFi Internet Expensive?

In India, mobile internet plans are quite cheap if we compare them with other countries. The stiff competition in the telecom sector is one of the reasons for lower tariffs. However, WiFi prices are exceptionally high due to which people pay huge internet bills every month. To determine the reasons for the higher price of the WiFi plans, we must dig deeper into the network infrastructure of our country.

Have you found the reasons for the higher WiFi cost in India? Are you tired of paying high broadband bills every month? Do not worry as I will provide some insightful tips to reduce the internet cost. Along with that, I will recommend some affordable WiFi plans that do not lack speed, security, and reliability. Let’s start by investigating the reasons for extravagant internet costs in India!

Reasons for High WiFI Costs in India

Here are some reasons that justify the higher costs of WiFi plans in India:

1. Less demand

Billions of people access the internet in India. Yet, most of them use cellular data packs to fulfil their daily internet usage needs. People do not want to pay extra to get a high-speed internet connection. Instead, they go for cheaper internet plans that offer limited data limits and speed.

WiFi providers charge extra money from their customers to justify the cost they spend on setting up the network infrastructure. As a result, you get access to high-speed WiFi plans only if you are ready to pay a higher price.

2. Lack of backhauling coverage

Backhauling is done to connect subnetworks to the core network. It is mostly done with the help of a fibre-optic network. However, the lack of high-quality fibre-optic networks is one of the main reasons that affect the network speeds.

Local ISPs mostly use copper or wireless links to connect to the core network which also allows them to lower the infrastructural costs. The cost of additional lines from the true fibre-optic network eventually increases the cost of internet plans.

To justify the quality for the price you pay, only opt for operators that offer actual fibre-optic networks. It will lower the chances of network congestion during peak hours. The higher bandwidth offered by Fibernet will allow you to share your network with multiple users. As a result, you can divide the internet bills with your family members or neighbours to reduce your internet cost.

3. High licensing fees

NIXI (National Internet Exchange Of India) is a semi-government organisation that regulates the internet gateways in India. It charges a high fee for providing a licence to ISPs (Internet Service Providers). To cover these costs, the ISPs create expensive broadband plans and charge higher for higher bandwidth.

4. Lack of IXPs

India is on the path of managing everything using digital infrastructure. Yet, there is not a single IXP (Private Internet Exchange) point across the country. Having at least one IXP in each of the north, east, west, and south directions will help you get high-speed internet at lesser costs.

5. Lack of internet gateways

India has only four internet gateways in Mumbai, Agartala, Kochi, and Chennai. The ones in Chennai and Mumbai are the major ones.

Transit cost refers to the expenses incurred while connecting the internet gateways to remaining cities. The lack of a dedicated gateway in the north and east zones makes the transit costs higher for the residents in these zones.

Unless the government makes plans to set up gateways in more regions, WiFi costs will remain on the higher side. The transit costs are also higher because the internet connectivity comes from Singapore’s data centre hub via submarine cables. Internet plans will continue to rise quickly unless the government decides to revamp its Internet policies and infrastructure.

Ways to reduce your internet bills

WiFi plans will continue to charge extravagant prices from the users till the above-mentioned issues get resolved. Yet, you can find new ways to reduce your internet bills. Here are a few ways to lower your WiFi costs:

1. Use limited data plans

Unlimited internet plans come at a higher price point. Get them only if you need excessive internet for work and other reasons. For instance, gaming enthusiasts play HD games online. Therefore, their internet usage requirements are on the higher side.

If you are a remote worker, you may need an unlimited internet plan for completing data-intensive tasks.

Video calling, downloading large movies in HD quality, and streaming

OTT channels are some other reasons for which you can avail of these plans. If you need the internet only to communicate via email or voice call, a limited data plan would be sufficient. It will also help reduce your WiFi price.

High-speed internet also costs higher than a plan with lower bandwidth. So, you can also subscribe to low-speed internet plans to reduce the WiFi cost.

2. Get your own modem and router

Most ISPs charge a nominal monthly fee for providing a router and modem. It negates the need of buying these pieces of equipment for accessing WiFi connectivity. Due to this, you end up paying a higher monthly rental. To avoid this, you can get your own modem and router. Or else, you can subscribe to the WiFi plans of ISPs that offer modems and routers free of cost.

For instance, ACT Fibernet offers a free router with their 3, 6, and 12-month broadband plans. These plans are available in select cities of India. You can visit their website to check the plans on which free routers are provided!

3. Access to free entertainment

Most people like to watch movies, web series, and documentaries on OTT platforms like Zee5, Disney+Hotstar, Netflix, etc. Some of these platforms charge an excessive fee from their subscribers. The OTT apps also provide access to live TV channels, sports, and other content genres. Go for the WiFi plans that offer free entertainment options as well.

For example, ACT Fibernet offers access to Zee5, Disney+Hotstar, SonyLiv, Netflix, and other channels without charging any extra fee. The value-added options like watching missed TV episodes using the YuppTV Scope make it a reasonable option. You also get access to over 300 live TV channels with their internet plans. You can subscribe to any of the plans that offer these entertainment options free of cost.

Note: The ACT Fibernet broadband plans with free access to OTT content are available in select cities. Check their portal today to get more details on this!

4. Compare prices

Different service providers have different data plans for their customers. You can go through their packages and compare the prices with respect to speed, data usage, security, and other features. Purchase the plans that are not only the cheapest but also offer value for your money.

5. Cancel your mobile data plan

Cancelling a mobile data plan can seem to be a stupid idea if you are a home WiFi user. You will think about how you are going to use data when away from home. However, this option would seem logical for those who work from home. It is also a good option for those who use unlimited data plans. It is so because the unlimited data plans charge an excessively high price from the users.

Also, it is impossible to reach the data limit with your mobile and other handheld devices. As a result, most of your data will get wasted and you also end up paying a high price. Instead, you can use the internet from your WiFi plan for fulfilling your mobile internet needs.

You can also reduce your internet usage by restricting your data usage to a limited number of apps. In these ways, you can either cancel your existing plan or at least avoid buying an unlimited mobile internet plan.

6. Track your internet usage

Most providers put a data limit or cap on their internet plans. You will have to pay extra fees if you continue using the internet after crossing the data limit. So, it makes sense to track your data usage and avoid using excessive data. Go for the providers that allow you to track data usage via their website or mobile app.

7. Look for discounts and deals

The competition among internet service providers is stiff in the market. To survive and outperform their peers, most ISPs offer attractive deals and discounts. You can look for these discounts and deals before buying an internet plan. It will not only reduce your WiFi cost but will also allow you to get home WiFi within your budget.

Also, you can try to negotiate the price with the ISP if you have been availing of their services for a long time. You can get discounts by subscribing to long-term plans. Getting a long-term plan also makes sense because WiFi costs will eventually increase in the near future. However, your provider will offer the services at the previously agreed cost which will eventually save you money.

Which is the most affordable WiFi plan in India?

Determining the most affordable WiFi plan in India is a daunting task. It depends on your location, usage, features, VAS (Value Added Services), and other internet requirements. Yet, it is a smart choice to go for the home WiFi plan that offers bundled-up services. ACT Fibernet offers bundled-up TV and OTT services at no extra cost. It allows you to access the entertainment options easily and also reduces your overall expenses.

You must also get fast WiFi that justifies the price by offering the latest security features. Only true fibre-optic networks can provide seamless internet connectivity as they use light signals to transmit data. Also, it is difficult to intercept the data signals while they are being transmitted via light pulses. This also adds a security layer for protecting your private data.

Many local ISPs will claim to offer the most affordable internet plans in your city. You must compare their services and look for online reviews to cross-verify their credibility and quality of services.

The lower price must not be your only criterion while looking for WiFi plans. You must also check the customer support services, internet bandwidth, and other features before purchasing a broadband plan. Also, the ISP that uses the latest infrastructure and technologies must be selected over those that still use traditional methods.

Research online to determine the best WiFi provider in your area. Ask your neighbours which WiFi they are using and compare the features of different ISPs before making a decision. Usually, WiFi providers charge lesser fees in urban areas due to the easy availability of nearby subnetworks. However, they charge a high fee for the rural areas due to the unavailability of subnetworks. Consider all these points before purchasing a WiFi plan.

Conclusion

Internet plans are pretty expensive in India. The government must take necessary steps and reduce duties and taxes for ISPs. It will allow them to offer WiFi plans at a cheaper rate to the public. Misuse of public money should be avoided when it comes to setting up the network for internet expansion. As far as the general public is concerned, I would suggest they find the best WiFi provider in their area.

If you live in tier-1 or tier-2 cities in India, subscribing to ACT Fibernet services would be the best decision. They not only offer free installation but also provide reliable and consistent services. On top of it, different broadband plans are curated as per the specific internet needs of individuals. Commercial WiFi plans, unlimited internet plans, and residential broadband plans are available at reasonable rates. You also get bundled-up OTT and live TV services with their select packages. Contact their support team today and choose the best home WiFi plans!

Read tips and tricks to increase your wifi speed here