Comcast rolls out a five-year price guarantee with plenty of fine print

With America’s long-term (and even short-term) economic prospects shifting on Eric Cartman-like whims, some internet providers have begun offering multi-year price guarantees to provide a little stability amid the chaos. A couple of weeks after Verizon introduced a three-year price lock, Comcast has followed suit with a five-year pricing guarantee for new Xfinity residential customers.

On the bright side, the deal isn’t linked to an annual contract requirement. But, as you might expect from a massive broadband company, there’s plenty of fine print.

First, the offer only applies to 400 Mbps home internet plans with one year of Xfinity Mobile Unlimited (one line) — a package that starts at $55 monthly (before taxes and fees). Then, if you want unlimited data, you’ll need to use an Xfinity Gateway, which requires a monthly rental payment, or pay an extra $30 monthly to enjoy it with your own modem.

The locked-in price doesn’t cover installation, taxes, fees or other charges, which Comcast notes are subject to change during and after the promo. So, at least in theory, the company has some wiggle room to raise the price without technically raising it. Finally, if you don’t enroll in and maintain paperless billing and automatic payments, you’ll pay an extra $10 each month (or an extra $8 if you pay by credit or debit card).

After reading those two paragraphs of fine print, you may find it amusing that Comcast’s press release frames the price guarantee as being about simplicity. “Our new price guarantee removes complexity,” Comcast COO Steve Croney wrote. Still, with Americans increasingly being forced to check their 401(k)s and stock portfolios like gamblers check a high-stakes sports score, any small oasis of financial stability is at least something.

Comcast’s offer ends on June 23.

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