Xfinity Internet Plans for Seniors

About Xfinity

Xfinity uses existing infrastructure from cable television to deliver high-speed internet to homes and businesses. They are the product of the well-known cable television conglomerates Comcast and CNBC2. Xfinity is a reputable company known for its excellent service and fairly affordable rates. Over 40 years of providing entertainment certainly aids their reputation!

Xfinity offers both cable and fiber internet, cable television, home and cell phone service, streaming, and home security. It makes them one of the most diverse internet providers currently operating. Many of these different facets can be bundled. I’ll go into more detail below.

Xfinity Internet Plans at a Glance

Below are a few of Xfinity’s most popular plans that I recommend for older adults. Remember the plan pricing below excludes taxes, and prices may vary by location.

*Includes paperless billing/autopay discount.

Which Xfinity Internet Plan Is Best for Seniors?

Below, I’ll give you the details of my favorite Xfinity internet and bundled plans for seniors.

Xfinity Internet Essentials

Xfinity currently does not offer any senior discounts at the moment. Instead, they offer an Internet Essentials plan designed and priced for low-income customers. The Internet Essentials plan includes enough data and speed to handle how most older adults use the internet, plus a few additional perks for just $9.95 per month. Customers eligible for the Affordable Connectivity Program may receive this plan for free! However, remember that Xfinity Internet Essentials isn’t available in every area.

The Internet Essentials plan includes:

• Download speeds up to 50 Mbps (good for email, social media, and web browsing)
• No activation or installation fees
• Option to purchase a low-cost computer starting at just $149.99
• Free internet skills training online or in print
• Free installation
• No long-term contract
• No credit check required
• Unlimited access to Xfinity hotspots available in many communities

While the Xfinity Internet Essentials plan is a solid option for many seniors, especially those who do not need to keep multiple devices or people connected concurrently, it is not limited only to older adults. For comparison, AT&T Access offers a free alternative for the same data speed; however, in most areas, AT&T is limited to the less-reliable DSL or 4G connection.

Eligibility for Xfinity’s Internet Essentials plan is based on participation in select government assistance programs like SNAP, Medicaid, or Social Security. Additionally, this plan is only available to new Xfinity customers who have not had an account with Xfinity or Comcast in the past 90 days and who do not owe a debt to Xfinity or Comcast.

75 Mbps Internet: Best for Light Internet Users or Those on a Tight Budget

Xfinity’s Connect 75 Mbps plan costs $19.99 per month for 12 months, with no term contract. It’s a basic internet plan that works on up to four devices connected simultaneously. This plan is best for older adults who are not eligible for the Xfinity Internet Essentials plan and use the internet for basic tasks like surfing the web and email. It features 75 Mbps download speeds, which is sufficient for most tasks but will slow down with heavy use. Overall, it’s a fairly priced basic internet plan. Keep in mind, however, that additional equipment fees may apply.

200 Mbps Internet: Best for Heavy Internet Users

For households using more than what the 75 Mbps internet plan allows, the Connect More 200 Mbps plan might be a cost-effective option, starting at $55 per month.

This plan is best for older adults who use the internet regularly for several activities, including streaming TV from services like Netflix or Hulu or using multiple devices at once. It features up to 200 Mbps download speeds, which is true high-speed internet. You should have no problem performing most tasks on this plan. It’s great for video chatting with the grandchildren, catching up on your favorite show, or online shopping.

My partner has the 200 Mbps plan at his house. I’m a big Netflix binger, while my partner loves to game. In our experience, we’ve been pleased with the plan’s speeds and consistent connection, even when we’re both using the internet concurrently.

2000 Mbps Gigabit X2 Internet: Best for Heavy Internet and Streaming Users

If you’re looking for lightning-fast speed, the 2000 Mbps Gigabit X2 Internet plan might be a good option. For a limited time, it comes with storm-ready WiFi and Peacock Premium included. This plan is best for heavy internet users and large households that enjoy streaming, playing games, video chatting, and using several devices simultaneously. It’s perfect if you plan on connecting to multiple devices or having frequent visitors for movie nights.

400 Mbps + 125+ Channels: Best for Those Who Want to Bundle

One of the best ways to save money on internet services is to bundle with services you would otherwise purchase separately. Xfinity offers a variety of TV, internet, and even phone bundles. One bundle that I highly recommend for older adults is the Fast 400 Mbps + Popular TV 125+ Channels package, starting at $83 per month for one year. This package comes with internet download speeds of up to 400 Mbps and a cable TV package with over 125 channels. It’s great for older adults who love entertaining or have family members visit frequently. We’d also recommend it for seniors who pay for a separate TV package, as this bundle will help you save on your bill instead of buying the two services separately.

With speeds up to 400 Mbps, you can connect several devices to the internet at once. Even if your grandkids play video games while you and your children stream a movie in the other room, your connection should remain steady. Plus, with a wide variety of HD channels, you can stay up-to-date on your favorite shows and movies as soon as they air. My parents currently have this plan (I guess it runs in the family), and it offers plenty of speed for my mom’s movie nights, and my dad’s Zoom calls when he works from home.

Remember that most promotional pricing is for new customers and is good for the first 12 months only, after which pricing will likely increase. At that time, you should contact Xfinity and inquire about current customer specials to continue receiving the best price.

Xfinity Prepaid Internet

If you don’t want to be locked in a contract or a monthly bill statement, consider Xfinity Prepaid Internet starting at $45 for 30 days of internet service. It comes with speeds up to 50 Mbps. That’s enough speed to check your email and social media platforms, plus stream content. With this plan, seniors don’t have to worry about an annual contract or monthly bill. It’s great for seniors who want limited access to the internet for a short time. You can also “refill your service” by going to my.xfinityprepaid.com, using the Xfinity mobile app, or visiting a local retailer.

Add-On Services to Get the Best Xfinity Has to Offer

Xfinity offers a full range of products and services to help seniors get the most out of their internet. Many older adults may not need additional services that can quickly drive up the price of otherwise affordable internet. But if you are paying for these services elsewhere, it can be more convenient and budget-friendly to add them to your internet service with Xfinity.

Xfinity Flex Streaming Device

You probably already understand Xfinity Flex if you’ve used devices like Roku. It’s just another way to stream television to your TV through your internet connection. The Xfinity Flex device is compatible with most major streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. Plus, it includes Peacock Premium for free, which is NBC’s exclusive content app. Xfinity Flex is included with any Xfinity internet plan at no additional cost. Before you spend money on a third-party streaming device, find out if this add-on is available with your internet package.

You can use the Xfinity Voice Remote to make browsing for your favorite shows and movies easy. It can be a game changer for seniors with mobility issues or arthritis. I often use the voice remote to change the channel or open apps. All you have to do is press and hold the blue microphone button. You’ll hear a chime. Then, a message will appear on the screen indicating that the remote is listening. Then, just tell the remote what you want to do. Easy peasy!

xFi Advanced Security

xFi Enhanced Gateway Security

The internet can be scary, especially for older adults who often fall prey to hackers and scammers. Older adults are the target of scammers so frequently it actually has its own name — elder fraud3. Get extra peace of mind with Xfi Advanced Security. All you need is a compatible xFi Gateway with no additional hardware or software to install. Once xFi Advanced Security is enabled, you can benefit from enhanced security features. To learn more about how xFi Advanced Security works, read the provider’s support page.

The xFi router helps block cyber threats, like hacker attacks or fake scam websites, to keep your connection as secure as possible. It is a great add-on for aging adults as they can benefit from enhanced security features, especially with the flood of advanced scammers and sweepstake-like scammers who often find ways to extort money from seniors.

xFi Complete

Boost your current internet package with added security, unlimited data, and expanded in-home Wi-Fi coverage for an additional $25 per month. This add-on is good for seniors who live in a large house and want to stay connected throughout the entire home. Sometimes the primary router can struggle to reach certain bedrooms or basements in bigger houses. With xFi Complete, you can get additional equipment, called xFi pods, that extend your WiFi coverage throughout the house for the most reliable connection possible.

Plus, the unlimited data is great for those worried about data caps. Just remember that Xfinity includes 1.2 TB of data with all of its internet plans. Unless you are particularly tech-savvy and run multiple data-intensive devices, most people will never reach this amount of data. Unless you need the pods to extend wireless coverage in a large home, xFi Complete may be an unnecessary upgrade. Most users will be happy with the less-expensive xFi Gateway option.

Xfinity Storm-Ready WiFi

Xfinity’s new Storm-Ready WiFi helps keep your devices powered in the event of a power outage or storm. This device costs $252 and comes with a backup battery to power your devices for up to four hours after an outage. It operates on 4G LTE for backup power and requires Xfinity Internet and a compatible Gateway. Speeds may be reduced to 30 Mbps during power outages.

Conclusion

Xfinity internet is a solid provider choice for keeping older adults connected. Many seniors are easily frustrated with the internet due to poor connections and slower speeds. In my experience, neither is a common issue with Xfinity, as they offer speeds up to 1,200 Mbps in select areas and a reliable cable connection. However, consider any drawbacks: You’ll need to sign a contract for the best deal, and there are data cap limitations (though these caps are very high).

With prices starting at $19.99 per month4, or in some cases free for eligible low-income seniors, Xfinity offers several affordable options for older adults. Their robust add-on features and lineup of bundles, featuring TV, internet, and phone services, are great for those who want even more entertainment at home. Overall, I’ve found that Xfinity offers affordable internet services and add-ons to keep older adults well-connected with their loved ones.