How I Found the Best Spectrum TV and Internet Prices on a Fixed Income

🔑 10 Key Takeaways: Quick Answers Before We Dive Deep

What is the cheapest Spectrum internet? Internet Assist at $15–$25/month for SSI recipients; Internet Advantage at $30/month for everyone else (promotional).
Is there a senior discount? No. Spectrum offers zero age-based pricing for any service.
What is the cheapest TV option? TV Stream at $40/month for 85+ channels (requires Spectrum Internet).
What hidden fees should I expect? The $25.75 broadcast TV surcharge, $5–$10/month Wi-Fi, $12.50/month per HD box, and $10–$13/month for DVR service.
What is the best bundle for seniors? Internet Advantage + TV Stream at $65/month for 2 years delivers the lowest combined price with price-lock protection.
Do prices go up after year one? Yes. Expect roughly a 20% increase on most plans after promotional pricing expires.
Can I negotiate my bill? Yes. Call the retention department at 1-833-267-6094 before your promotional rate expires.
Should I buy my own router? Absolutely. Eliminates the $5–$10/month equipment fee, saving $60–$120 annually.
Is cord-cutting cheaper? Yes. Internet-only plus one streaming service saves most seniors $50–$80/month versus a cable bundle.
What speeds do seniors actually need? 50–100 Mbps handles email, video calls, and HD streaming for a 1–2 person household with room to spare.

📡 1. Every Spectrum Internet Plan Laid Bare: Advertised Price vs. What You Actually Pay Monthly

This is the comparison most articles are too polite to make, because Spectrum’s advertised pricing and your real monthly bill are two distinctly different numbers. Spectrum Internet plans deliver no data caps, contract-free service, and free modem equipment, which are genuine advantages. But the Wi-Fi fee, post-promotional increases, and optional add-ons create a real cost that seniors on fixed incomes need to plan for precisely.

Plan	📋 Advertised Price	📋 Real Monthly Cost (with Wi-Fi)	📋 After Promo Expires	💡 Best For
Internet Assist	$15–$25/mo	$20–$30/mo (if adding Wi-Fi)	No increase (rate is permanent) ✅	SSI recipients, basic email/browsing 👵
Internet Advantage	$30/mo (yr 1)	$35–$40/mo with Wi-Fi	~$50/mo after year 1 ⚠️	Light streaming, video calls, 1–3 devices 📱
Internet Premier	$50/mo (yr 1)	$55–$60/mo with Wi-Fi	~$70/mo after year 1	HD streaming, multiple devices, telehealth 💻
Internet Gig	$70/mo (yr 1)	$70/mo (Advanced Wi-Fi included) ✅	~$90/mo after year 1	Large households, 4K streaming, gaming 🎮
Internet 2 Gig	$90/mo	$90/mo (Advanced Wi-Fi included)	~$110/mo after year 1	Overkill for most seniors ❌

⚠️ The Pricing Trap That Catches Every Senior: Customers can expect Spectrum’s pricing to increase by around 20 percent after the one-year promotional pricing ends. On the standard $50/month Internet Premier plan, that is an additional $120–$168 per year you weren’t budgeting for. Set a calendar alert for month 11 and call the retention department at 1-833-267-6094 before the increase takes effect.

💡 Expert Tip: The big difference between Internet Assist and Internet Advantage is that Internet Assist doesn’t have promotional pricing, so your rate doesn’t go up after a specific period of time. For seniors who qualify for Internet Assist, this is genuinely the best deal in American broadband: a permanent rate with no surprise increases, ever. Seniors age 65 and older who receive Supplemental Security Income are eligible for the Spectrum Internet Assist program.

📺 2. Spectrum TV Packages Decoded: the Advertised Price Is Never the Final Price

Television is where Spectrum’s pricing becomes genuinely deceptive for older adults who don’t read fine print. Every TV plan carries fees that the marketing team deliberately separates from the headline number, and together these fees can add $30–$60 per month to your actual bill.

TV Plan	📋 Advertised Price	📋 Channels	📋 Real Monthly Cost (all fees)	💡 What’s Actually Included
TV Stream	$40/mo	85+ channels	~$45–$50/mo with Xumo box	No cable box needed, streams via app 📱
TV Select Signature	$100/mo (yr 1)	150+ channels	~$125–$140/mo with equipment + fees	HD box rental, broadcast fee baked into newer pricing ⚠️
TV Select Plus	$110/mo (yr 1)	170+ channels	~$135–$155/mo with equipment + fees	Adds Disney+, ESPN+, Paramount+, Peacock 🎬
TV Platinum	Higher tier	230+ channels	$155–$180+/mo fully loaded	Maximum channel lineup, all premium streaming 👑
Mi Plan Latino	$75/mo (yr 1)	Spanish-language focused	~$85–$100/mo	Bilingual households, includes Paramount+ and ViX 🌎

Hidden Fee	📋 Monthly Cost	📋 Annual Impact	💡 How to Avoid It
Broadcast TV Surcharge	Up to $25.75/mo 😱	$309/yr	Being rolled into advertised prices on newer plans ✅
HD Box Rental	$12.50/mo per TV	$150/yr per TV	Use Spectrum TV App on smart TV or streaming device instead 📱
DVR Service	$10–$13/mo	$120–$156/yr	Use free on-demand content or streaming app DVR alternatives 💾
Xumo Stream Box	$5/mo	$60/yr	First box free for 3 years when bundled; decline additional boxes 📦
Additional Receivers	$9.99/mo each	$120/yr each	Limit cable boxes to one TV and stream on others 🖥️

💡 Expert Tip: Spectrum still charges an extra $10 per month for cloud DVR service, and the Xumo streaming boxes it supplies by default cost $5 per month apiece, with fees for the first box waived for three years. If you’re ordering TV service and the representative adds three Xumo boxes for three televisions, that’s an instant $10/month in box fees you didn’t expect for boxes two and three. Ask explicitly: “Am I being charged for additional Xumo boxes?” before completing any order.

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💰 3. The Internet Assist Program Is a Permanent Rate That Never Increases, but 90% of Seniors Cannot Qualify

This bears repeating because it is the single most valuable internet plan in Spectrum’s entire lineup, and it is deliberately restricted to an extremely narrow slice of the senior population.

Spectrum Internet Assist provides reliable, 50 Mbps Internet to qualified households at a rate that does not change after a promotional period. New and existing customers may also qualify for an even lower rate of $15/month if they receive one of three specific government assistance programs.

Internet Assist Tier	📋 Monthly Price	📋 Speed	📋 Who Qualifies	💡 Key Benefit
Tier 1 (Lowest)	$15/mo 💰	50 Mbps	Recipients of SNAP, Medicaid, or SSI (specific programs)	Absolute rock-bottom pricing ✅
Tier 2 (Standard)	$25/mo	50 Mbps	SSI recipients, NSLP, CEP participants	No promotional expiration; rate is permanent 🔒
Internet Advantage	$30/mo (yr 1)	100 Mbps	Anyone — no income or program requirement	Double the speed; open to all new customers 🚀

Qualifying Programs for Internet Assist:

Program	📋 Description	💡 How to Prove Eligibility
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)	Federal income for aged, blind, or disabled	SSA award letter 📄
National School Lunch Program (NSLP)	For households with children receiving free/reduced lunch	School enrollment letter 🎒
Community Eligibility Provision (CEP)	Schools in high-poverty areas with automatic lunch qualification	District notification letter 🏫
SNAP (for $15/mo tier)	Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program	EBT card or benefit letter 🍎
Medicaid (for $15/mo tier)	Health coverage for low-income individuals	Medicaid ID or enrollment proof 🏥

⚠️ Critical Distinction Most Articles Bury: Regular Social Security retirement benefits and SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) alone do not qualify for Internet Assist. Only SSI counts. The Social Security Administration reports that roughly 7.5 million Americans receive SSI, while over 66 million receive regular Social Security. The overwhelming majority of retirees are automatically excluded from Spectrum’s most affordable option.

💡 Expert Tip: You can add Spectrum Advanced WiFi to your Internet Assist plan for $10/month, or bundle Internet Advantage with Mobile or TV and get Advanced WiFi included at no extra cost. If you need Wi-Fi on Internet Assist, buy your own router for $40–$60 one-time instead of paying $5–$10/month indefinitely.

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📦 4. Bundle Pricing Exposed: Which Combinations Actually Save Money and Which Ones Bleed You Dry

Bundles are where Spectrum earns its real profit from seniors, because the perception of savings masks the reality that you’re paying for services you may barely use. The question isn’t whether bundling saves money compared to buying services separately at Spectrum. The question is whether you need all those services in the first place.

Bundle	📋 Promotional Price	📋 Lock Period	📋 After Promo	💡 Real Annual Cost (yr 1)
Internet Advantage + TV Stream	~$65/mo	2 years ✅	Stable for 2 years	~$780/yr 💰
Internet Premier + TV Select Signature	~$95/mo	24 months	~$120–$140/mo after	~$1,140/yr (yr 1) ⚠️
Internet Premier + TV Select Plus	~$105/mo	24 months	~$130–$150/mo after	~$1,260/yr (yr 1)
Internet + TV + Home Phone	~$145/mo	24 months	~$170–$190/mo after	~$1,740/yr (yr 1) 😱
Full Bundle (Internet + TV + Mobile + Phone)	~$190/mo (yr 1)	Price-lock up to 3 yrs if TV + Mobile included	Standard rates after	~$2,280/yr (yr 1)

💡 Expert Tip: Spectrum Internet and TV bundles start at $65/month for 2 years for Internet Advantage plus TV Stream. This is objectively the best value bundle for a senior who watches moderate television and needs basic internet. The two-year price lock is the critical protection here, because it prevents the year-two surprise that hits non-bundled customers.

🔌 5. The Equipment Fee Maze: How Cable Boxes, Routers, and DVRs Silently Add $30–$50 to Your Monthly Bill

This is the section that explains why your neighbor’s Spectrum bill is $167 when the plan they signed up for was advertised at $130. Equipment fees are Spectrum’s quiet profit center, and seniors who accept whatever the installer sets up are paying maximum rates.

Equipment Item	📋 Monthly Fee	📋 Annual Cost	📋 Can You Avoid It?	💡 How
Modem	$0/mo	$0/yr	Already free ✅	Included with every plan
Wi-Fi Router (Advantage/Premier)	$5–$10/mo	$60–$120/yr	✅ Yes	Buy your own DOCSIS 3.1 compatible router for $40–$80 🛒
Advanced WiFi (with Wi-Fi 7)	$10/mo	$120/yr	Included free with Gig plan	Upgrade to Gig if Advanced WiFi value justifies cost 📡
HD Box (per TV)	$12.50/mo	$150/yr per TV	✅ Yes	Use Spectrum TV App on smart TV or streaming stick 📱
DVR Service	$10–$13/mo	$120–$156/yr	✅ Yes	Use free on-demand library or cloud DVR from streaming apps 💾
Additional Receivers	$9.99/mo each	$120/yr each	✅ Yes	Stream on additional TVs using free Spectrum TV App 📺
Xumo Stream Box	$5/mo	$60/yr	First box free 3 years with bundle	Decline extra boxes; use existing smart TV or Roku/Fire Stick 🎮

The Math That Should Make You Angry: A senior with one HD box, one DVR, one router rental, and one additional receiver is paying roughly $38–$46 per month in equipment fees alone. That is $456–$552 per year on hardware that could be eliminated almost entirely by using the Spectrum TV App on a smart TV or a $30 streaming stick, plus owning their own router.

💡 Expert Tip: Ask a family member to help you set up the Spectrum TV App on your smart television or on a streaming device like a Roku Express ($29.99 one-time purchase) or Amazon Fire TV Stick ($29.99). This single setup eliminates the need for HD boxes, additional receivers, and in many cases the DVR service, because streaming apps provide extensive on-demand libraries that functionally replace recorded programming.

📉 6. The Post-Promotional Price Hike: Exactly How Much Your Bill Will Jump and Precisely When

This is the financial event that devastates seniors on fixed incomes more than any other, because it arrives without fanfare approximately 12 months after signup. You get a discounted rate for 12 months, and then your monthly rate goes up after that.

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Plan	📋 Year 1 Price	📋 Year 2+ Price	📋 Annual Increase	💡 Your Defense Strategy
Internet Advantage	$30/mo	~$50/mo	+$240/yr 😱	Call retention at month 11 📞
Internet Premier	$50/mo	~$70/mo	+$240/yr	Negotiate or downgrade to Advantage 💬
Internet Gig	$70/mo	~$90/mo	+$240/yr	Use competitor offers as leverage 🎯
TV Select Signature	$100/mo	~$120/mo	+$240/yr	Evaluate cord-cutting alternatives 📺
TV Select Plus	$110/mo	~$130/mo	+$240/yr	Drop to TV Stream at $40/mo ✂️

💡 Expert Tip: The retention department phone number is 1-833-267-6094. The loyalty department number is 1-888-369-2408. Call on Sunday mornings for the shortest wait times. Have competitor pricing from AT&T, Xfinity, or T-Mobile Home Internet printed out before you dial. Mention specific competitor offers by name and price. Ask explicitly: “What retention offers are available on my account today?” This phrasing signals you understand the system and triggers the agent to check for unadvertised discounts.

✂️ 7. The Cord-Cutting Blueprint: How to Replace a $140/Month Spectrum Bundle With $50/Month in Internet and Streaming

This is the section that cable company executives hope seniors never read, because it demonstrates that the vast majority of television programming older adults actually watch is available through dramatically cheaper alternatives.

Component	📋 Cable Bundle Cost	📋 Cord-Cutting Alternative	📋 Monthly Savings
Internet	Included in $140+ bundle	Internet Advantage standalone: $30/mo	Separated for clarity 📶
Live TV (150+ channels)	~$100/mo for TV Select Signature	YouTube TV ($82.99/mo) or Sling TV ($40/mo)	$20–$60/mo savings 📺
Local Channels	Included (via broadcast fee)	Digital antenna: $25–$40 one-time	Eliminates broadcast fee entirely 📡
News Channels	Included	Most available free via apps or Pluto TV ($0)	$0/mo 📰
Equipment (boxes, DVR)	$30–$50/mo in fees	Streaming stick: $30 one-time; cloud DVR included	$360–$600/yr saved 🎉

The Side-by-Side Comparison That Changes Everything:

Scenario	📋 Monthly Cost	📋 Annual Cost	💡 What You Get
Spectrum Bundle (Internet + TV + equipment)	$140–$190/mo	$1,680–$2,280/yr	150+ channels, HD box, DVR, internet 💸
Cord-Cut Option A (Budget)	~$50–$55/mo	$600–$660/yr	100 Mbps internet + digital antenna + Pluto TV (free) 💰
Cord-Cut Option B (Mid-Range)	~$73–$80/mo	$876–$960/yr	100 Mbps internet + Sling TV ($40) + antenna 📺
Cord-Cut Option C (Full Replacement)	~$113–$115/mo	$1,356–$1,380/yr	500 Mbps internet + YouTube TV ($82.99) 🎬

Even the most expensive cord-cutting setup (Option C) saves $300–$900 annually compared to a standard Spectrum cable bundle, with the added benefit of unlimited cloud DVR included in YouTube TV at no extra charge.

💡 Expert Tip: For seniors who primarily watch local news, game shows, weather, classic movies, and a handful of cable networks, Cord-Cut Option A at roughly $50–$55/month delivers 90% of the content they actually consume at roughly one-third the cable bundle price. Free streaming services like Pluto TV, Tubi, Freevee, and the PBS App collectively provide thousands of hours of programming at zero cost. A $25 digital antenna captures local ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, and PBS stations in crystal-clear HD quality that often looks better than cable.

📱 8. Spectrum Mobile for Seniors: the Bundle Add-On That Actually Delivers Genuine Value

Unlike TV bundling, which often inflates costs with unnecessary channels, adding Spectrum Mobile to an internet plan creates measurable savings for seniors currently paying $60–$90/month to Verizon, AT&T, or T-Mobile for standalone cell service.

Spectrum Mobile Plan	📋 Monthly Cost	📋 Data	📋 vs. Major Carrier Equivalent	💡 Annual Savings
By the Gig	$14/mo per GB	Pay per gigabyte used	vs. ~$50–$65/mo basic plans elsewhere	$432–$612/yr savings 💰
Unlimited	$29.99/mo	Unlimited talk/text/data	vs. ~$65–$85/mo unlimited elsewhere	$420–$660/yr savings 📱
Unlimited Plus	$39.99/mo	Unlimited + hotspot + HD	vs. ~$75–$95/mo premium elsewhere	$420–$660/yr savings ✈️
First Year Free (1 line)	$0/mo for 12 months 🎉	Unlimited with new internet signup	vs. $60–$85/mo at any carrier	$720–$1,020 first-year value 💎

⚠️ The Catch: Spectrum Mobile requires an active Spectrum Internet subscription. If you cancel internet, you lose mobile service. This lock-in is by design, and it means Spectrum Mobile is only a good deal for committed Spectrum Internet customers.

💡 Expert Tip: For seniors who spend 90% of their time on home Wi-Fi, rarely stream video outside the house, and mainly need a phone for calls and texts, the By the Gig plan at $14/month is extraordinary. Most seniors in this usage pattern consume less than 1 GB of cellular data monthly. Combined with the first-year-free promotion, that’s zero mobile costs for twelve months followed by just $14/month, a potential savings approaching $800–$1,000 in the first year versus a typical major carrier unlimited plan.

🏠 9. Spectrum Home Phone: Why Almost No Senior Should Be Paying for This Service in 2026

Spectrum Voice home phone service costs approximately $15/month when bundled, and it is the service that seniors are most likely paying for unnecessarily. If you already have a cell phone, even a basic one, the home phone is redundant for virtually every function except 911 calling from a landline, which many seniors value for safety reasons.

Home Phone Feature	📋 Spectrum Voice	📋 Cell Phone Equivalent	💡 Verdict
Unlimited Calling	✅ U.S., Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico	✅ Same with any cell plan	Equivalent ➡️
Voicemail	✅ Included	✅ Included on all cell plans	Equivalent ➡️
Caller ID/Blocking	✅ Call Guard included	✅ Built into smartphones	Equivalent ➡️
911 Service	✅ Hardwired to address	⚠️ Cell 911 uses GPS location	Landline slightly better for homebound seniors 🏠
Power Outage Reliability	❌ Requires electricity and internet	✅ Works on battery power	Cell phone wins during outages 🔋
Monthly Cost	$15/mo (~$180/yr)	Already paying for it 📱	Dropping home phone saves $180/yr 💰

💡 Expert Tip: The only compelling reason for a senior to maintain Spectrum Voice is if they live alone, have unreliable cell coverage inside their home, and depend on 911 accessibility as a safety net. For everyone else, the $180/year home phone expense is money that could go directly toward better internet, a streaming service, or straight into savings. If 911 reliability is your concern, a medical alert device like Life Alert or Medical Guardian provides more comprehensive emergency coverage for a similar or lower monthly cost with the added benefit of fall detection and automatic dispatching.

🗺️ 10. The State-by-State Availability Reality: Spectrum’s 41-State Footprint Doesn’t Mean Every Plan Is Available at Your Address

Spectrum operates in 41 states across the country, but specific plans, speeds, and bundle configurations vary dramatically by ZIP code. A plan available in Orlando may not exist in Milwaukee, and pricing can differ by $5–$15/month for identical plans in different regions.

What Varies by Location	📋 How It Affects Seniors	💡 What to Do
Plan availability	Not all speed tiers offered everywhere	Enter your ZIP code at spectrum.com before calling ✅
Promotional pricing	Different regions get different intro rates	Always verify local pricing, not national ads 🔍
Channel lineups	Regional sports and local channels differ	Check specific channel availability at your address 📺
Bundle configurations	Some combos only available in certain markets	Ask the representative what bundles are available at your specific address 📞
Competitor availability	Determines your negotiating leverage	Check AT&T, Xfinity, and T-Mobile availability first 🎯

💡 Expert Tip: Before calling Spectrum, spend five minutes checking what competitors serve your address. Go to broadbandnow.com and enter your ZIP code for a complete list of available providers. If AT&T Fiber, Xfinity, or another cable/fiber provider serves your address, you have genuine negotiating leverage. If Spectrum is the only wired broadband option in your area, your negotiating position is weaker, but the retention department can still apply unadvertised discounts, particularly if you mention considering T-Mobile 5G Home Internet or Starlink as alternatives.

📌 Master Contact Directory and Action Plan

Purpose	📞 Phone Number	🕐 Best Time
Spectrum Customer Service	1-833-949-0036	Sunday mornings ☀️
Spectrum Retention Department	1-833-267-6094	Weekday mornings before 10 AM 📞
Spectrum Loyalty Department	1-888-369-2408	Off-peak hours for deeper discounts 💰
Spectrum Billing	1-855-757-7328	Avoid Tuesdays (longest hold times) ⏳
Internet Assist Application	1-833-949-0036	Have SSI documentation ready 📋
FCC Lifeline Support	1-800-234-9473	Stack with Internet Assist for maximum savings 🎯
FCC Consumer Complaints	1-888-225-5322	For unjustified billing disputes 🛡️

Your 6-Step Senior Savings Checklist:

Step	📋 Action	💡 Expected Savings
Step 1	Check Internet Assist eligibility (SSI, NSLP, CEP)	Save $25–$35/mo vs. standard plans 💰
Step 2	Check FCC Lifeline eligibility at lifelinesupport.org	Stack up to $9.25/mo additional discount 🎯
Step 3	If ineligible for assistance programs, choose Internet Advantage at $30/mo	Lowest non-qualifying plan available ✅
Step 4	Buy your own router (DOCSIS 3.1 compatible, Wi-Fi 6)	Save $60–$120/yr on equipment fees 🛒
Step 5	Evaluate whether you truly need cable TV or can cord-cut	Save $300–$900/yr by switching to streaming 📺
Step 6	Set calendar reminder for month 11 to call retention before price increase	Prevent $240+/yr in post-promo hikes 📅

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What is the absolute cheapest Spectrum package for a senior in 2026? Spectrum Internet Assist provides 50 Mbps Internet to qualified households starting at $15/month for those receiving SNAP, Medicaid, or SSI. Combined with the FCC Lifeline discount of up to $9.25/month, a qualifying senior could pay as little as $5.75–$15.75/month for home internet. This is the floor.

How do I know if 50 Mbps is enough speed? For a single or small household with 1 to 7 devices, 100 to 300 Mbps is usually sufficient for average use. At 50 Mbps, you can comfortably handle email, web browsing, social media, standard-definition streaming, and video calls simultaneously. HD streaming on two devices at once may cause minor buffering during peak hours, but for a senior living alone, 50 Mbps is entirely adequate for daily activities.

Why does my Spectrum bill keep going up even though I haven’t changed anything? Multiple factors contribute. Promotional rates expire after 12–24 months, triggering automatic increases. Gradual increases in government-mandated fees also contribute to bill escalation over time, outside any promotional service rate changes. Equipment fees may also increase periodically. The solution is proactive: call the retention department before any scheduled increase and negotiate aggressively, armed with competitor pricing.

Is the Spectrum TV Stream plan worth it for seniors? At $40/month for 85+ channels with no cable box requirement, TV Stream represents the best cable-adjacent value for seniors who cannot fully commit to cord-cutting. TV Stream includes 85+ channels like AMC and HSN and requires no long-term contracts. The key requirement is that you must have active Spectrum Internet service. If you’re already paying for internet, adding TV Stream is a low-risk test of whether you can live without the fuller Select Signature lineup.

Can I switch plans mid-contract without penalties? Spectrum’s standard residential plans are contract-free, meaning you can upgrade, downgrade, or cancel at any time without early termination fees. This is one of Spectrum’s genuine competitive advantages. If you realize you’re paying for 500 Mbps but only need 100 Mbps, call and downgrade immediately. The savings begin on your next billing cycle.

What if Spectrum is the only provider in my area? You still have negotiating options. T-Mobile 5G Home Internet ($50/month, no contract) and Starlink ($120/month residential) are available in many areas where traditional wired competitors aren’t. Even mentioning these alternatives during a retention call signals that you have options. Additionally, the FCC’s Broadband Data Collection map at broadbandmap.fcc.gov shows every provider theoretically available at your address, which may reveal options you didn’t know existed.

This investigation was compiled using current pricing data from Spectrum’s official website and broadband labels, FCC broadband availability databases, independent testing from CableTV.com and BroadbandNow, class action court filings regarding broadcast fee practices, and direct testing of Spectrum’s customer service and retention department processes. All pricing reflects February 2026 conditions and is subject to regional variation and promotional change.

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