Verizon FiOS is only available in heavily populated areas from what I've seen. They aren't dropping fiber lines unless the population density warrants it. So FiOS remains unavailable to a lot of people within the US.
Yeah, they are definitely not as big as many other ISPs, but if one is lucky enough to have FiOS, they are now offering really good deals to retain their customers, and just not keep them.
Actually, the deals in my area to retain their customers are much better than the new customer deals. Less than a year ago, this was not the case.
Another thought, in addition to their own tv services, FiOS is now including a subscription for YouTube TV as an option for your service. It is full price, so probably not worth bundling with the ISP, but for people that like having a single bill, this could also be an option.
The large ISP's have a monopoly on internet and can charge whatever they want IMO.
Yeah, it is more of a oligopoly than monopoly, but you are correct about the lack of competition.
That said, if you really want to save money, there are still ways that you can do this.
Spectrum will not make a deal from what I've seen and experienced. You can cancel your service, return the equipment, and sign up again. However, you must provide your SSN when signing up so if they see you had a recent closed account, they will make you wait 30 days before signing up again.
I was in a similar situation as you at a point in my life, about 15 years ago. If you have a significant other, you use their SSN to sign up. There are a few downsides, such as you might have to have a small break in service, but given the potential to save hundreds or even thousands of dollars, this might be worth it.
If Spectrum offers signing up and activation online, it is possible to not have a break in service.
There is other things that can be done even if you only have one SSN to use.
But.....
In my area, Spectrum is the only ISP. AT&T is around in random places but it's low end DSL.
Would it be possible to switch to DSL for a month? Then sign back up as a new customer to Spectrum? Yeah, the speeds suck, but again, if you end up saving hundreds of dollars, it could be worth it.
That is why 5G can't come soon enough
I am hoping the same thing, but with 5G Fixed Wireless Access, not mobile 5G.
Mobile 5G gets most of the attention, but I think the 5G Fixed Wireless Access could have a much greater impact in the US in the short term. Increasing competition for ISPs, especially in areas that there is currently only one.
I am unsure why 5G Fixed Wireless Access hardly ever gets talked about.
Either way, there are options out there, now. For people that are cord cutting and thinking about tv alternatives like YouTube TV, Hulu TV, and Sling, there are things that can be done to lower ISP bills so people are not spending $165 a month for their various services.