Military Discounts on Internet Service

A few internet service providers offer discounts for active-duty military and veterans. While there are only a handful that do, all of these providers offer new customer sign-ups, bundling discount options, and other ways to save.

For service members working from home or with family members attending school remotely, a fast and reliable internet service provider at a reasonable price is essential.

All of the companies covered in this round-up have specific eligibility requirements. Pay close attention to the requirements to ensure a smooth sign-up process.

Some internet service providers may require you to create an account with a military verification website, such as Veterans Advantage, SheerID, or ID.me. Others may require you to verify eligibility with additional documents, such as your military ID, DD-214, or Veterans Health Identification Card.

You may or may not have a choice about your internet service provider, depending on where you live. If you do, consider these top military-friendly internet service providers that offer discounts or deals for military servicemembers, veterans, and their families.

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AT&T Fiber

AT&T is one of the largest telecom providers in the U.S. and has a strong track record of supporting the military community through exclusive discounts and employment initiatives for veterans.

While AT&T does not offer a standalone military discount on its fiber internet plans, military families can still unlock significant savings by bundling their services.

Active duty, veterans, and military families receive 25% off AT&T’s unlimited mobile plans. Wireless customers who bundle fiber internet receive an additional 20% off fiber service.

Active-duty servicemembers can verify eligibility through the AT&T Signature Program website using their .mil email address.

Veterans can sign up here, but may need to provide documentation to receive the discount, such as the following:

• Department of Defense Form DD214 indicating an honorable discharge
• Valid retired Military ID
• Current AMVETS membership card
• Veteran-designated driver’s license
• Veteran Health Insurance card
   

You can also sign up for the military discount at any AT&T retail store. For military families and qualified spouses of active duty or deceased U.S. military servicemembers, providing documentation in-store is the only way to obtain the discount.

Acceptable forms of documentation include:

• Veteran’s Designated Driver’s License
• Valid Retired Military ID
• Current AMVETS Membership Card
• Veteran Health Insurance Card (VHIC)
• Department of Defense Form DD214 (indicating an honorable discharge)
• Department of Defense Sponsorship Card (for spouses of deceased veterans)

CenturyLink

CenturyLink offers a range of internet plans with varying speeds, from 15 Mbps to 940 Mbps, with pricing dependent on location and the chosen plan. Fiber-optic internet is available in select locations, offering faster speeds and more reliable connections.

DSL internet utilizes existing phone lines to deliver internet service and is available in a wider range of areas. Fixed wireless internet utilizes a wireless signal transmitted from a nearby tower and is available in select rural areas.

Unfortunately, CenturyLink does not offer a military discount. However, they do offer several introductory offers and discounts to new subscribers, as well as bundles that provide options for customers who want to combine their telecommunications needs.

Cox Communications

Cox Communications offers several internet plans with speeds ranging from 10 Mbps to 1,000 Mbps, along with other services such as TV and phone.

The provider does not have a military or veteran discount on monthly service. However, new subscribers can still save up to $40/month on select plans for the first 12 months with a one-year term agreement.

Frontier Internet

Frontier Communications’ internet plans offer speeds ranging from 6 Mbps to 940 Mbps, along with other services such as TV and phone.

Pricing for Frontier Communications’ internet plans varies depending on the speed and package selected, as well as your service area. Frontier may offer lower prices for non-fiber internet services in certain areas.

Instead of a direct military discount, Frontier offers a low-cost service option called “Switch and Get Internet Your Way” and participates in other programs. You may find cash back or other discounts through ID.me.

Google Fiber

Google Fiber offers ultra-high-speed internet in select urban areas. While it does not offer military-specific discounts, Google regularly participates in community support programs benefiting veterans.

While standard pricing is the norm, occasional regional promotions may be offered for new customers in some areas.

HughesNet

For some military service members and veterans, internet access can be difficult due to their remote locations. Either fiber or broadband lines have not been extended to their home, or their property is not in a good location to access 5G cell towers. Thankfully, there are still options like HughesNet.

HughesNet is a satellite internet service provider – it sends a request for a web page from your device to a satellite 22,000 miles out in space that is in geosynchronous orbit. Download speeds are typically around 25 Mbps, and upload speeds are around 3 Mbps.

The service is excellent for those who do not have access to a wired or 5G connection at home, with sufficient speeds for streaming video, browsing the internet, and conducting remote work. Gaming is not recommended on HughesNet connections due to the significant latency created through satellite transmission.

Unfortunately, HughesNet does not have a dedicated military or veteran discount.

Mediacom

Mediacom Communications is a telecommunications company that provides internet, cable TV, and phone services to residential and business customers in 22 states. Its internet plans offer speeds ranging from 100 Mbps to 2 Gbps, depending on your location.

Currently, Mediacom does not offer a dedicated military discount. However, Mediacom is recognized as a military-friendly employer and takes pride in having hundreds of veterans on its team every day. 

Optimum 

Optimum is a service of Altice USA, providing high-speed internet services to residential and business customers. The provider offers a variety of internet plans with speeds ranging from 100 Mbps to 5 Gbps, along with other services such as TV and phone.

While Optimum does not currently offer military discounts, its regular prices for internet customers and regular special deals are very competitive. You can bundle internet and phone services to receive a healthy discount on your monthly bill.

Spectrum 

Formerly Charter Communications, Spectrum is one of the top three internet service providers in the U.S. by market share. However, Spectrum does not have a dedicated discount for veterans or military families.

However, Spectrum does have promotions and discount programs for new subscribers when you bundle services. This offers change frequently, and it’s best to check with Spectrum if you’re considering them as a provider.

As part of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, phone service customers can take advantage of a benefit offered by Spectrum and many other providers that allows you to reserve your phone number for up to three years from the time you cancel your Spectrum Home Phone and/or Mobile service.

If you return to your current location within three years of canceling your service, you can reactivate your saved phone numbers.

T-Mobile Home Internet

T-Mobile is recognized for offering one of the best military discounts on mobile phone services through its Magenta Military and Magenta MAX Military plans. 

T-Mobile has also entered the home internet market, offering competitive pricing.

Current T-Mobile account holders can simply enter their cell phone number to see if their location is eligible for service. If you’re not a current customer, you’ll also need to enter the physical address of the location where you’d like service.

The unique factor to T-Mobile’s internet offering is that it is entirely wireless – the service is provided over a 5G cell connection. This makes the service attractive for folks living in areas where physical broadband or fiber lines have not been installed.

Typical download speeds range between 33 and 182 Mbps, which is great for streaming video, surfing the web, and working from home. Online gaming is possible, but a wired connection is generally recommended to minimize latency issues.

Verizon/FiOS 

Like other large, national companies, Verizon offers a generous bundle package to help make internet service, mobile service, home phone, streaming, and cable more affordable. The company currently offers three different bundling options for service members, which can save a substantial amount of money each month.

For Fios Home Internet, eligible military members and veterans can receive a monthly discount.

• You can save $5/ 5/month on 300 Mbps plans.
• You can save $10/month on 500 Mbps plans.
• You can save $15/month on 1 Gig or 2 Gig plans.

A $99 setup fee for Fios is waived when you complete your qualifying Fios Home Internet order online.

For mobile service, military members and veterans may qualify for a monthly discount on Unlimited plans.

• For 1 phone line, you can receive a $10/month discount per account.
• For 2-3 phone lines, you can receive a $25/month discount per account.
• For 4+ phone lines, you can receive a $20/month discount per account.

Most other advertised Verizon mobile phone plans receive a 15% discount on the plan’s account access charges.

You can also get 25% off eligible accessories when ordered through My Verizon, or 10% off when bought in a Verizon store (excluding Apple products).

To qualify, you must verify your military status using ID.me. This discount cannot be combined with Deals at Work, Student, or other Those Who Serve discounts. However, it can be combined with autopay and paper-free billing discounts, as well as the Mobile + Home Discount.

Xfinity

Xfinity is the consumer-facing side of Comcast, providing business communication services to over 2 million businesses across 42 states.

Xfinity doesn’t currently offer a discount for military members, but it aggressively offers discounts to the general public, especially when bundling and building a plan that includes high-speed internet, digital cable, phone, and home security services.