Internet Service Providers in Charlotte

charlotte, north carolina in black and neon green glow

Many families across the U.S. struggle to find fast, affordable internet service. Thankfully, in big cities like Charlotte, they tend to have better options. Here in North Carolina’s capital, residents have quite a few selections at their disposal, regardless of whether they live in the city center or the surrounding suburbs. There are so many internet service providers in Charlotte, so use this guide to pick the best one to suit your needs.

Is There a Digital Divide in North Carolina?

North Carolina’s urban centers have some of the best internet connections in the country. However, the mountainous western regions and marshy coastline make it difficult to extend high-speed internet to every corner of the state.

As of June, nearly one in four residents have yet to subscribe to broadband. Meanwhile, two in three are without fiber. That means many residents might reach the broadband definition of 25 Mbps (megabits per second), but those speeds are often inadequate for meeting over Zoom and completing other work-from-home responsibilities.

Internet Providers Near Me in Charlotte

There are seven internet providers that offer services in Charlotte, North Carolina. Each one offers plans with different prices and speeds:

AT&T: Prices start at $45 with speeds up to 100 Mbps.
AT&T Fiber: Prices start at $35 with speeds up to 1 Gbps.
Spectrum: Prices start at $50 with speeds up to 300 Mbps.
Xfinity: Prices start at $50 with speeds up to 2 Mbps.
HughesNet: Prices start at $70 with speeds up to 25 Mbps.
Viasat: Prices start at $60 with speeds up to 100 Mbps.
EarthLink: Prices start at $50 with speeds up to 75 Mbps.
Windstream: Prices start at $45 with speeds up to 1 Gbps.

Cheapest Internet Providers in Charlotte

AT&T offers the cheapest internet, with prices starting at $35 for fiber. While it may not provide the fastest speeds, they’re better than what the majority of other providers offer. Still, this option is only available to roughly 62% of those living in Charlotte.

Luckily, AT&T also offers a DSL connection, which is available to nearly 90% of residents. Their most affordable plan costs the same as Windstream’s. With prices starting at just $45 per month, these plans are the second-most affordable options in Charlotte.

High-Speed Internet Options in Charlotte

Xfinity offers the fastest speeds in the city at a fairly standard price. For $50, clients will receive up to 2 Gbps, which is blazing fast for just about anything they need to do online. Whether they’re gaming or editing drone footage, Xfinity offers a superior connection. Like AT&T, this provider covers nearly 90% of residents in Charlotte.

If you don’t need the speed, consider an internet plan with Windstream or AT&T Fiber instead. These two options offer plans starting at $45 and $35, respectively, with speeds up to 1 Gbps. Can’t find coverage? Your next-best option is Spectrum, which has 100% availability and speeds up to 300 Mbps.

Should I Get Fiber Internet?

Fiber is considered the gold standard of home internet service. That’s because fiber uses plastic lines specifically designed for internet service, allowing for higher bandwidth and a faster, clearer connection. It also ensures symmetrical download and upload speeds and low latency. Fiber internet tends to be cheaper than DSL internet, making it the preferred choice among consumers. So, should you get fiber? If it’s available and affordable, why not?

How Do I Choose an Internet Provider?

Internet service providers in Charlotte – and elsewhere — rely on your exact location to determine whether or not you’re eligible to receive coverage. That’s why so many people narrow their search by ZIP code first. Once you know what’s available, you can compare speed and price to find a fiber-optic or DSL connection that suits your budget and your needs.