Pause your internet service with a seasonal hold

A seasonal hold, also called a vacation hold, allows customers to temporarily pause their internet, TV and phone services at a minimal cost. Traditionally, this service is attractive to snowbirds — people who travel from cold climates to warmer areas and back again when the weather changes.

However, there has been an enormous rise in digital nomads looking for flexible internet solutions during their travels. If you have internet service, pausing or canceling it may be an option, depending on your internet service provider (ISP).

Reasons you might pause your internet service

Putting your home phone, internet or TV service on hold or paused can be a real money-saving option if you fit into one of the following categories:

• Retirees or snowbirds 
• Families with second homes 
• People who rent out multiple private properties
• Families who need a break from services for personal or financial reasons
• Long-term travelers
• Digital nomads taking advantage of working on the road

ISPs offering seasonal internet holds

*Last updated 10/09/23.

Pausing internet service vs. canceling 

Disconnecting and reconnecting services is the other option for part-time residents, but this method can be much more costly. Getting set up with a brand-new service is expensive since most companies have fees for activation, installation, one-time equipment costs, early-termination fees (ETFS) and deposits.

Suspending service via a seasonal hold lets you avoid most fees and makes it easier to reinstate your service when you return from your sabbatical. On the other hand, canceling your internet service means you might pay a hefty fine and will have to deal with a new setup and finding the right plan all over again.

Before suspending internet service, read the fine print

As with any change, make sure you pay attention to the fine print and don’t be shy about asking questions. Before you suspend your service, most companies will require:

• Your internet service account is in good standing
• You have had the internet service a minimum number of days (varies by company)
• You request the turn-off and turn-on date far enough in advance

Your ISP may also insist that government taxes and regulatory surcharges continue to be paid while the account is on hold.

If you are in a contract, be aware that a seasonal hold does not count as time toward the contract. For example, if you suspend the service for six months, those months will be added to the back end of the term. The upside is you can usually maintain your promotional rate throughout the contract. Again, make sure you request these details if they are not on the company’s website. 

Setting up seasonal internet holds via ISP apps

Some ISPs like T-Mobile provide apps for you to control your internet service. Xfinity’s app, for instance, allows you to pause your service for short periods, like for parental control settings, but the ISP requires you to log in on their site with your Xfinity ID for longer seasonal holds. Although most do require you to call them or visit their sites, you can take similar steps on some ISP apps, like these found on T-Mobile’s site:

For the T-Mobile app:

1. From the T-Mobile app home screen.
2. Select the Account tab.
3. Select the line you need to update.
4. Choose either Report lost or stolen or Suspend a line temporarily, depending on the type of suspension you need.
5. Follow the on-screen steps to suspend or restore your line.

For T-Mobile.com and business accounts with 20 lines or fewer:

1. Log in to T-Mobile.com. In the My Line section select your device name to access the suspend option.
   • If your device type is listed as unknown including BYOD devices, select View Account.
   • In the account overview page, locate Lines and Devices.
   • Select the appropriate line.
2. Choose either Report lost or stolen or Suspend a line temporarily, depending on the type of suspension you need.
3. Select Continue. 
4. Choose a start date and end date, then select Continue.

Types of short-term internet plans

If you only want to have internet service in one place for a short time, consider some of these options:

• Month-to-month contracts: Some service providers offer no-contract plans. These allow you to cancel at any time, usually without fines.

• Prepaid internet service: Prepaid service is another pay-as-you-go solution for service. You can pay upfront for a certain amount of time.

• Contract buyouts: If your provider does not offer vacation holds or is too expensive, you may be able to switch to another provider and save money. 

• Bypass providers and use a mobile hotspot: With cell phone providers offering mobile access, you could ditch your internet provider altogether and opt for a mobile hotspot instead. The additional service fee may be cheaper than the cost of adding another service.

Seasonal hold FAQs