For many residents of Southern Oregon, it feels like déjà vu every time they open their internet bill. Once again, Spectrum Internet has quietly implemented another price increase — the latest in what appears to be a relentless series of hikes in 2025. In July, the company confirmed a $2 per month increase for certain legacy internet plans in Oregon, adding yet another burden to households already grappling with the rising cost of everyday living.
The problem isn’t just the amount — although customers will point out that a few dollars here and a few dollars there quickly add up — it’s the frequency and the lack of choice. This marks what could be the fith increase this year alone, depending on a customer’s plan and location. For residents in Grants Pass and much of Josephine County, the lack of competition means there is effectively no alternative provider for high-speed internet service. Customers either pay Spectrum’s rates or go without reliable connectivity altogether.
While $2 might not seem like much on paper, it’s rarely just $2. Incremental increases — $2 here, $4 there, $6 a few months later — stack up over time. For a household juggling other bills that have also risen sharply over the past year, it’s another piece of financial pressure. Electricity, insurance, groceries, and gasoline have all seen price jumps, leaving many wondering when, or if, there will be any relief.
The frustration isn’t just about money; it’s about principle and value. Many Southern Oregon customers have long complained about inconsistent speeds, frequent outages, and what they view as subpar customer service. Yet, because Spectrum holds what amounts to a monopoly in much of the region, customers are left with little leverage. It’s a situation that underscores a broader problem in rural and semi-rural communities across the country: when one provider dominates the market, consumers lose bargaining power and are forced to accept whatever terms are offered.
Spectrum’s corporate statements typically attribute price increases to the rising costs of network maintenance, infrastructure upgrades, and operational expenses. But customers in Southern Oregon often say they see no noticeable improvements in service quality, even as their bills grow steadily larger. Without transparent reporting on how these added revenues are being used, many remain skeptical.
The state of Oregon, like many others, has discussed the need for expanded broadband competition, but progress is slow. Efforts to bring in alternative providers or expand municipal broadband projects often stall due to high infrastructure costs, regulatory hurdles, or resistance from incumbent providers. Until meaningful competition emerges, Spectrum’s dominance in the region is unlikely to change — and with it, the pattern of frequent price adjustments seems poised to continue.
For now, customers are left keeping a running tally of each increase, wondering how many more will arrive before year’s end. In a community where internet access is not just a convenience but a necessity for work, education, and communication, these repeated price hikes are more than an annoyance — they’re a reminder of what happens when one company controls the connection to the digital world.
If history is any indication, Southern Oregon residents may want to brace themselves. The only certainty in this ongoing saga seems to be that the next price hike is never far away.
