Broadband gotchas.(Q & A)

Special deals on Internet service are enticing and may in fact be good buys. But don't be mesmerized by lowball prices and impressive speed numbers. Consider the fine print, which, if overlooked, can leave you with bigger bills than you expected or worsening service. Here are eight traps to watch out for and how to avoid them.

Q Six months ago I signed up for $29.95 Internet service and now my bill has skyrocketed to $49.99.

A Providers hype prices to hook you. But some leave it to the tiny-print terms and conditions to reveal that the promotional prices end after a certain period. The "regular" prices you'll pay after the promotion expires might also be difficult to find. One plan for Verizon fiber leaves you in an intermediate-speed plan you might find costly (unless you switch to a lower-cost plan) when the promotional price expires several months after you sign up. Call the company and find out the regular prices. Make sure that those prices are for the particular package you're getting with the promotion and that they include any extra taxes or fees.

Q I'm being told I have to pay a $99 fee to cancel my service.

A Some plans, especially for DSL and fiber service, can include contracts and early-termination fees, especially if you're getting free installation or equipment. Make sure you know the terms of any contract you sign. You might be able to sign up without one, though the up-front fees or higher prices can approach the cost of a contract's penalty.

Q The DSL service I ordered at the incredible rate of $14.95 a month is much slower than I expected.

A Come-on prices are often for the lowest speeds, for example, 768 Kbps DSL instead of the typical standard 1.5 or 3 Mbps. If a price seems low, make sure the download and upload speeds are the ones that you're expecting and, if there's a trial period, test the service online to see if it delivers those speeds.