Internet providers in North Carolina
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Last updated: May 6, 2025
Our broadband experts compare prices and plans to showcase the best internet available in North Carolina.
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*Limited time offer; subject to change; new residential customers only (no Spectrum services within past 30 days) and in good standing with Spectrum. Taxes and fees extra in select states. SPECTRUM INTERNET ADVANTAGE: Offer based on eligibility requirements. Standard rates apply after promo period. Additional charge for installation. Speeds based on wired connection. Actual speeds (including wireless) vary and are not guaranteed. Services subject to all applicable service terms and conditions, subject to change. Not available in all areas. Restrictions apply. ©2025 Charter Communications, all rights reserved. Updated as of 04/24/25.
**Speeds based on wired connection. Actual speeds may vary. For more info, go to www.att.com/speed101. Plus taxes (w/ eligible Autopay & Paperless bill). Price after $10/mo discount with eligible Autopay & Paperless bill (w/in 2 bills). Monthly State Cost Recovery Charge in TX, OH, NV applies. One time install chrg may apply. Ltd. avail/areas.
Key takeaways
- North Carolina residents have access to satellite, cable, fiber and fixed wireless internet
- Spectrum is widely available to over 70% of the state
- Google Fiber offers some of the fastest internet in North Carolina, with speeds ranging from 1,000 – 8,000 Mbps
- Brightspeed offers the cheapest internet plan in North Carolina at just $29.00/mo.
Fastest internet in North Carolina
AT&T, Google Fiber, Brightspeed and TDS provide the fastest internet in North Carolina with speeds up to 8 gigs.
| Provider | Starting price* | Download speed |
|---|---|---|
| AT&T Fiber | $80.00/mo.** | 1,000 – 4,700 Mbps** |
| Google Fiber | $70.00/mo. | 1,000 – 8,000 Mbps |
| Brightspeed | $59.00/mo. | 940 – 2,000 Mbps |
| TDS | $89.95/mo. | 1,000 – 2,000 Mbps |
*Pricing per month plus taxes for length of contract. Additional fees and terms may apply. Pricing varies by location and availability. All prices subject to change at any time. May or may not be available based on service address. Speeds may vary. Updated as of 04/24/25.
**Plus taxes (w/ eligible Autopay & Paperless bill). Price after $10/mo discount with eligible Autopay & Paperless bill (w/in 2 bills). Monthly State Cost Recovery Charge in TX, OH, NV applies. Limited availability. May not be available in your area. Call or go to fiber.att.com to see if you qualify. Speeds based on wired connection. Actual speeds may vary. For 5GIG, single device wired speed maximum 4.7Gbps. For more info, go to www.att.com/speed101.
Cheapest internet in North Carolina
Brightspeed has the cheapest internet plan in North Carolina, starting at $29.00/mo. Verizon and T-Mobile have cheap options available, though you must bundle with a mobile plan to get the best price.
| Provider | Starting price* | Download speed |
|---|---|---|
| Brightspeed | $29.00/mo. | 300 Mbps |
| Spectrum | $30.00/mo.** | 100 Mbps |
| T-Mobile 5G Home Internet | $35.00/mo. with mobile plan | 87 – 318 Mbps |
| Verizon 5G Home Internet | $35.00/mo.*** with mobile plan | 85 – 300 Mbps |
*Pricing per month plus taxes for length of contract. Additional fees and terms may apply. Pricing varies by location and availability. All prices subject to change at any time. May or may not be available based on service address. Speeds may vary. Updated as of 04/24/25.
**Limited time offer; subject to change; new residential customers only (no Spectrum services within past 30 days) and in good standing with Spectrum. Taxes and fees extra in select states. SPECTRUM INTERNET ADVANTAGE: Offer based on eligibility requirements. Standard rates apply after promo period. Additional charge for installation. Speeds based on wired connection. Actual speeds (including wireless) vary and are not guaranteed. Services subject to all applicable service terms and conditions, subject to change. Not available in all areas. Restrictions apply. ©2025 Charter Communications, all rights reserved.
***Price guarantee for 3-4 years, depending on internet plan, for new and existing myHome customers. 5G Home plan at $35/mo. or 5G Home Plus plan at $55/mo. when combined with postpaid mobile unlimited plan that includes 5G Ultra Wideband. Auto Pay & paper-free billing req’d. Mobile + Home Discount: $15/mo savings on Verizon Home Internet plans when combined with any Verizon postpaid mobile phone plan (excludes business and data-only plans). Availability varies. Subject to credit approval. © 2025 Verizon.
North Carolina internet provider comparison
We’ve ranked the top internet providers in North Carolina by coverage area, technology and starting price. We’ve done the research so you can easily find the providers in your area that are the best fit for you.
| Provider | Starting price* | Download speed range | Connection type | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Hughesnet | $49.99/mo. | Up to 100 Mbps | Satellite | 92% |
 Spectrum | $30.00/mo.** | 100 – 1,000 Mbps | Cable | 74% |
 T-Mobile 5G Home Internet | $35.00/mo. with mobile plan | 87 – 415 Mbps | 5G | 62% |
 AT&T | $55.00/mo.† | 10 – 4,700 Mbps† | Fiber, DSL | 38% |
 TDS | $49.95/mo. | 300 – 2,000 Mbps | Fiber, cable | 25% |
 Brightspeed | $29.00/mo. | 300 – 2,000 Mbps | DSL, fiber | 24% |
 Verizon 5G Home Internet | $35.00/mo.*** with mobile plan | 85 – 1,000 Mbps | 5G | 22% |
*Pricing per month plus taxes for length of contract. Additional fees and terms may apply. Pricing varies by location and availability. All prices subject to change at any time. May or may not be available based on service address. Speeds may vary. Updated as of 04/24/25.
**Limited time offer; subject to change; new residential customers only (no Spectrum services within past 30 days) and in good standing with Spectrum. Taxes and fees extra in select states. SPECTRUM INTERNET ADVANTAGE: Offer based on eligibility requirements. Standard rates apply after promo period. Additional charge for installation. Speeds based on wired connection. Actual speeds (including wireless) vary and are not guaranteed. Services subject to all applicable service terms and conditions, subject to change. Not available in all areas. Restrictions apply. ©2025 Charter Communications, all rights reserved.
**Limited time offer; subject to change; new residential customers only (no Spectrum services within past 30 days) and in good standing with Spectrum. Taxes and fees extra in select states. SPECTRUM INTERNET: Standard rates apply after promo period. Additional charge for installation. Speeds based on wired connection. Actual speeds (including wireless) vary and are not guaranteed. Capable modem required for all Gig speeds. For a list of capable modems, visit Spectrum.net/modem. Services subject to all applicable service terms and conditions, subject to change. Not available in all areas. Restrictions apply. ©2025 Charter Communications, all rights reserved.
***Price guarantee for 3-4 years, depending on internet plan, for new and existing myHome customers. 5G Home plan at $35/mo. or 5G Home Plus plan at $55/mo. when combined with postpaid mobile unlimited plan that includes 5G Ultra Wideband. Auto Pay & paper-free billing req’d. Mobile + Home Discount: $15/mo savings on Verizon Home Internet plans when combined with any Verizon postpaid mobile phone plan (excludes business and data-only plans). Availability varies. Subject to credit approval. © 2025 Verizon.
†Plus taxes (w/ eligible Autopay & Paperless bill). Price after $10/mo discount with eligible Autopay & Paperless bill (w/in 2 bills). Monthly State Cost Recovery Charge in TX, OH, NV applies. One time install chrg may apply. Ltd. avail/areas. Speeds based on wired connection. Actual speeds may vary. For 5GIG, single device wired speed maximum 4.7Gbps. For more info, go to www.att.com/speed101.
Call for details: (844) 451-2720 (844) 451-2720
How we review internet in North Carolina
Our methodology
We evaluate broadband providers in four categories: affordability, performance, value and customer satisfaction. Each category contains multiple sub-factors, all of which are weighted differently to impact the provider’s overall score.
For each sub-factor, we score all providers on a continuous scale of one to five, relative to the industry as a whole. Because the average download speed in America is currently 180 Mbps, for example, we assigned all plans with download speeds between 100 and 299 Mbps a score between three and four. Xfinity’s 200 Mbps plan received a 3.50 score for download speed, while Spectrum’s 500 Mbps plan got a 3.71.
We only considered standardized data points in our scoring system. More abstract data like consistency of service and brand reputation is still part of our analysis, but we opted to let our writers address them in the context of each review.
North Carolina internet statistics
Compare North Carolina’s median download and upload speeds to the U.S. median upload and download speeds. North Carolina pulls ahead when it comes to download speed, but the U.S. has a faster median upload speed.
North Carolina
- Download speed: 319.59 Mbps
- Upload speed: 36.26 Mbps
U.S.
- Download speed: 279.93 Mbps
- Upload speed: 40.55 Mbps
Source: Ookla’s Speedtest.net
Internet availability in North Carolina
100% of North Carolina has access to satellite internet and 80% can get cable internet. Just under half the state is serviceable for fiber internet (46%) while 38% have fixed wireless availability. DSL is still available to around 3% of North Carolina.
Quality of internet access in North Carolina
100% of North Carolina has access to the minimum recommended broadband speeds of 100/20 Mbps, but less than half the state has access to gigabit speeds:
- Residents with broadband access (speeds at or over 100/20 Mbps): 100%
- Residents with access to 250/25 Mbps: 88%
- Residents with access to gigabit speeds (at or over 1,000/100 Mbps): 44%
Source: FCC coverage maps
North Carolina internet provider breakdowns
Allconnect Rating
3.75 / 5
Spectrum: Best overall internet in North Carolina
In terms of availability, pricing and speeds, it’s hard to beat Spectrum, which is our choice for best internet in North Carolina There are three plans to choose from, depending on your home’s needs. No data caps or contracts and low equipment fees make Spectrum an appealing choice. Also, Spectrum only charges $5/mo. for router rental — the modem is free — whereas most providers charge around $10 – $15/mo.
Why North Carolina loves Spectrum
- Low equipment fees
- No data caps and no contracts
Things to consider about Spectrum
- Slow upload speeds
- Slightly higher cost than other ISPs
Spectrum Customer Reviews:
Allconnect Rating
4.35 / 5
T-Mobile: Best for availability
If you have a mobile plan, T-Mobile 5G Home Internet offers three 5G plans starting at $35/mo. with no hidden fees, price hikes, contracts or data caps. It’s one of the most affordable plans because you pay a flat price with all fees included, whereas other providers have lots of added fees that increase your bill. Without the mobile bundle, your plan will be $50 – $70/mo.
Why North Carolina loves T-Mobile
- Speeds up to 415 Mbps
- Cheap pricing with mobile bundle
- Available in rural areas near a cell tower
Things to consider about T-Mobile
- Speeds may be throttled
- Data cap
T-Mobile Customer Reviews:
Allconnect Rating
4.40 / 5
AT&T: Best fiber internet
AT&T offers the fastest internet service in North Carolina, with fiber speeds up to 4,700 Mbps.* Fiber is the fastest and most reliable internet service, and with AT&T’s symmetrical fiber speeds, North Carolina residents can enjoy a consistent high-speed connection ideal for even the most intense internet activities and many connected devices.
Why North Carolina loves AT&T
- Fiber internet speeds up to 4,700 Mbps
- Low-income assistance program
Things to consider about AT&T
- Fiber isn’t available everywhere
- High starting prices
*Speeds based on wired connection. Actual speeds may vary. Single device wired speed maximum 4.7Gbps. For more info, go to www.att.com/speed101. Updated as of 04/24/25.
AT&T Customer Reviews:
North Carolina internet customer reviews
Reasonably fast, but expensive for standalone service.
3/5
Spectrum was only option in our new area, but I feel they are a great choice even if you have other options. Consistently strong signal for all devices – what more could we ask for?
4/5
We lose connection consistently every day. Our TV freezes and our cameras stop working due to no connectivity.
2/5
Find North Carolina internet providers by city
North Carolina offers residents and visitors a little bit of everything. Whether you live near the mountains in a city like Asheville, on the coast in Wilmington or in one of North Carolina’s largest cities like Charlotte or Raleigh, there are several top internet service providers (ISPs) available in the Tar Heel State. You can choose from fiber, cable, DSL and satellite internet options. Competitive prices are the standard in North Carolina, so checking out current internet plans in your area can save you money.
Explore internet availability and speed in various North Carolina cities below. We’ve included each city’s median download speed from Ookla’s Speedtest.net, the percentage of households in each city with access to at least 100 Mbps, 250 Mbps and 1,000 Mbps and the number of providers available in each city.
Mecklenburg County
Residents in Mecklenburg County have 10 providers to pick from, but not all are available in all parts of the county. Spectrum, satellite ISPs like Hughesnet, AT&T and T-Mobile are the most available providers. 100% of the county addresses can access 100/20 Mbps, while 95% can get 250/25 Mbps. Only 61% can reach speeds of 1 gig.
Guilford County
Guilford County residents have nine providers available with satellite ISPs, Spectrum and T-Mobile home internet the most available. 100% of addresses can access speeds of 100/20 Mbps. 93% have speeds up to 250/25 Mbps and 57% can reach 1 gig.
| City | Download speed | Upload speed | % up to 100 Mbps | % up to 250 Mbps | % up to 1 Gbps | # of providers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington | 291.58 Mbps | 21.55 Mbps | 100% | 92% | 39% | 8 |
| Greensboro | 296.58 Mbps | 31.65 Mbps | 100% | 95% | 55% | 8 |
| High Point | 259.29 Mbps | 67.77 Mbps | 100% | 92% | 67% | 7 |
Wake County
Wake County is the largest in North Carolina, with over one million residents who have 10 providers to pick from, with Spectrum and satellite services being the most prevalent. All addresses can access speeds up to 100/20 Mbps, 95% can reach 250/25 Mbps and 67% can access 1 gig.
| City | Download speed | Upload speed | % up to 100 Mbps | % up to 250 Mbps | % up to 1 Gbps | # of providers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cary | 362.01 Mbps | 156.43 Mbps | 100% | 96% | 79% | 9 |
| Holly Springs | 383.12 Mbps | 186.90 Mbps | 100% | 96% | 87% | 10 |
| Raleigh | 347.46 Mbps | 114.10 Mbps | 100% | 95% | 64% | 8 |
Sources: FCC National Broadband Map and Ookla’s Speedtest.net
Explore North Carolina internet providers by ZIP code
North Carolina internet provider store locations
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North Carolina internet FAQs
Which is the best internet provider in North Carolina?
One of the best internet providers in North Carolina is AT&T. It provides the fastest and most reliable fiber internet with speeds up to 4,700 Mbps* and is available in large North Carolina cities like Charlotte, Raleigh, Durham and Greensboro.
Does North Carolina have fast internet?
Yes, North Carolina has fast internet options from AT&T and Brightspeed, with fast tiers ranging from 1,000 to 4,700 Mbps,* similar to neighboring states such as South Carolina and Tennessee.
What’s the fastest internet in North Carolina?
The fastest internet in North Carolina is AT&T’s 4,700 Mbps* plan. Google Fiber offers up to 8,000 Mbps, but availability is limited in North Carolina.
What’s the cheapest internet in North Carolina?
The cheapest internet in North Carolina is with Brightspeed, which offers 300 Mbps for $29.00/mo.
Is fiber internet available in North Carolina?
Yes, AT&T, Google Fiber, Brightspeed and TDS all offer fiber internet options in North Carolina.
*Speeds based on wired connection. Actual speeds may vary. Single device wired speed maximum 4.7Gbps. For more info, go to www.att.com/speed101. Updated as of 04/24/25.
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