Internet providers in Charlotte, NC

Find internet service from the best internet providers in Charlotte and compare features all in one place.

Find internet providers in Charlotte, NC

If you’re shopping for internet in Charlotte, you’re likely to find multiple options available with speeds of 250 Mbps or higher available throughout the Queen City. Explore the internet options available at your Charlotte address to find the best provider and plan for your needs.

Charlotte internet at a glance

Charlotte residents have access to cable, DSL and fiber optic internet throughout much of the city. As such, satellite internet is a less popular internet choice, but is still available throughout Charlotte if you want additional internet options.

Internet availability in Charlotte

Cable – 100%
DSL – 90%
Fiber optic – 75%

Charlotte, NC, residential internet providers

Provider	Starting price	Speed range	Internet type	Charlotte average availability
Spectrum	$49.99/mo.*	200 – 940 Mbps	Cable	100%
AT&T	$35.00/mo.*	100 – 940 Mbps	DSL, fiber optic	88%
Windstream	$37.00/mo.*	25 – 1,000 Mbps	DSL, fiber optic	13%
Google Fiber	$70.00/mo.*	1,000 – 1,000 Mbps	Fiber optic	8%
Comporium	$44.94/mo.*	300 – 1,000 Mbps	Cable, fiber optic	1%
HughesNet	$49.99/mo.*	25-25 Mbps	Satellite	99%
Viasat	$50.00/mo.*	12-100 Mbps	Satellite	99%

*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. As of 11/06/20.

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Compare the largest internet providers in Charlotte, NC

The three largest internet providers in Charlotte are Spectrum, AT&T and Windstream. Spectrum is the sole cable provider in Charlotte, covering 100% of the metro area. AT&T and Windstream provide DSL and fiber optic service in Charlotte, but AT&T is more likely to be available.

Spectrum

Provider details:
Spectrum is available everywhere inside the 485 loop, offering speeds up to 940 Mbps to the north at the University area down to Ballantyne in the south. Surrounding areas such as Matthews, Huntersville, Indian Trail and Waxhaw are also served by Spectrum cable internet service.
- Up to three internet plan options
- Starting price range $49.99-$109.99/mo.*
- Speed range 200-940 Mbps
- Unlimited data
- No contract required
Top Charlotte ZIP codes for Spectrum internet:
28078, 28203, 28204, 28205, 28208, 28211, 28216, 28227, 28273, 28277
Spectrum Charlotte store locations:
- 2222 South Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28203
- 2211 Matthews Township Pkwy. Suite A, Matthews, NC 28105
- 8160 Ikea Blvd. Suite 3B, Charlotte, NC 28262
- 8332 Pineville-Matthews Rd. Suite 201, Charlotte, NC 28226

AT&T

Provider details:
AT&T Internet and AT&T Fiber are available throughout much of the Charlotte area. Popular service areas include uptown and south-Charlotte communities such as Southpark, Steele Creek and Carmel. To the east, AT&T is available in the Hickory Grove area and Mint Hill, but is not available in much of Matthews. AT&T is also available to the west past Charlotte Douglas Airport and north to Huntersville.
- Up to three internet plan options
- Starting price range $49.99-$109.99/mo.*
- Speed range 200-940 Mbps
- Unlimited data
- No contract required
Top Charlotte ZIP codes for AT&T internet:
28036, 28204, 28207, 28210, 28211, 28212, 28215, 28216, 28078, 28277
AT&T Charlotte store locations:
- 9840 Rea Rd., Charlotte, NC 28277
- 601 S Kings Dr. Suite O, Charlotte, NC 28204
- 6925 University City Blvd. Suite 410, Charlotte, NC 28262
- 9516 Riverbend Village Dr. Suite J1, Charlotte, NC 28216

Windstream

Provider details:
Windstream availability varies throughout Charlotte. The greatest availability lies to the southeast between Independence Blvd. and Providence Rd. into the Matthews and Indian Trail areas. Other areas of serviceability include the Hunter Acres neighborhood to the north and in West Charlotte between Freedom Dr. and Tuckaseegee Rd.
- Up to eight internet plan options
- Starting price range $37-$67/mo.*
- Speed range 25-1,000 Mbps
- Unlimited data
- No contract required
Top Charlotte ZIP codes for Windstream internet:
28031, 28078, 28105, 28208, 28215, 28216, 28262, 28273, 28278
Windstream Charlotte store locations:
- 6801 Morrison Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28211
- 10005 Monroe Rd., Matthews, NC 28105

Depending on where you live or are moving to in the Charlotte area, any or all of the internet providers listed above may be available at your address. There may also be additional internet provider options available.

Other Charlotte internet providers that may be available in your area include:

Google Fiber – Though Google currently has no plans to extend their fiber optic networks, Google Fiber is available in select parts of Charlotte. Google Fiber is available in parts Northeast Charlotte and much of uptown including the Fourth Ward. You’ll also find Google Fiber to the south in communities surrounding South Meck High School.

Plans and pricing: Google Fiber only offers one internet plan in the Charlotte area with speeds up to 1,000 starting at $70/mo.*

Comporium– Comporium is primarily available across the border in South Carolina cities such as Rock Hill and Fort Mill, but select areas in south Charlotte may also be serviceable. Neighborhoods in the Steele Creek area as well as in and around Pineville may have access to Comporium internet.

Plans and pricing: Comporium offers high speed internet with speeds up to 300 Mbps starting at $44.94/mo.* Three or more plans may be available in your area with gig speeds up to 1,000 Mbps starting at $79.94/mo.*, around $30/mo. cheaper than Spectrum’s gig plan.

HughesNet – As a satellite internet provider, HughesNet is available throughout Mecklenburg County and addresses in the Charlotte area not obstructed by surrounding buildings or trees. Though HughesNet is available, many Charlotte-area residents are likely to find faster, more cost-effective options from cable, DSL and fiber optic providers.

Plans and pricing: HughesNet speeds are the same regardless of plan, up to 25 Mbps starting at $49.99/mo.*

Viasat – Like HughesNet, Viasat is a satellite internet provider available in the Charlotte area. Viasat internet speeds are not quite as fast as HughesNet in Charlotte, but the provider does offer speeds up to 100 Mbps in select areas.

Plans and pricing: In Charlotte, Viasat offers speeds up to 12 Mbps starting at $50/mo.*

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What Charlotte internet provider is the fastest?

Google Fiber – Up to 1,000 Mbps starting at $70/mo.*
Windstream – Up to 1,000 Mbps starting at $67/mo.*
AT&T Fiber – Up to 940 Mbps starting at $60/mo.*
Spectrum – Up to 940 Mbps starting at $109.99/mo.*

Charlotte has access to four gig internet providers: AT&T, Google Fiber, Spectrum and Windstream. Of those providers, you’re likely to find fiber optic services, like those from AT&T, Google Fiber and Windstream, to have better speed consistency and significantly faster upload speeds. Additionally, these providers are likely to have lower starting prices for gig service than Spectrum.

High-speed internet availability in Charlotte, NC

Download speeds 250 Mbps or higher
Charlotte – 100%
North Carolina – 90%
U.S. – 86%
Download speeds 1,000 Mbps or higher
Charlotte – 75%
North Carolina – 36%
U.S. – 22%

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Cheap internet providers Charlotte, NC

AT&T – Up to 100 Mbps starting at $35/mo.*
Windstream – Up to 200 Mbps starting at $37/mo.*
Spectrum – Up to 200 Mbps starting at $49.99/mo.*
HughesNet – Up to 25 Mbps starting at $49.99/mo.*
Viasat – Up to 12 Mbps starting at $50/mo.*
Google Fiber – Up to 1,000 Mbps starting at $70/mo.*

What to consider when shopping for cheap internet in Charlotte

There is often more that goes into the price of internet than the advertised cost. Consider equipment fees, data caps and contract requirements when shopping for cheap internet in Charlotte.

Equipment fees: Monthly equipment fees will vary by provider, but Spectrum’s are the lowest in the Charlotte area at just $5/mo. compared to around $10/mo. with AT&T and Windstream. Google Fiber actually charges no additional fees for Wi-Fi, but their starting price is already higher than most providers.

Data caps: Aside from satellite internet providers, all major internet providers in the Charlotte area include unlimited data with their plans. The exception is AT&T’s DSL service, which comes with a 1 TB/mo. data cap – that’s plenty of data for the average household, but going over could come with an added fee of $10 for each 50 GB block of data required to satisfy your overage. AT&T Fiber plans, on the other hand, come with unlimited data.

Contracts: You also won’t have any contract requirements from AT&T, Google Fiber, Spectrum or Windstream in Charlotte, so you won’t have to worry about early termination fees should you decide to cancel.

Free Wi-Fi hotspots around Charlotte

If you’re looking for free internet in Charlotte, there are places around the city that offer free public Wi-Fi. Remember to use caution when connecting to a public Wi-Fi and avoid entering passwords or viewing sensitive information online.

Where to find public Wi-Fi in Charlotte:

Any Charlotte-Mecklenburg public library location
Romare Bearden Park, BB&T Ballpark
Bank of America Stadium
Various coffee shops and cafes around the Charlotte area including Starbucks, Amelie’s Bakery, Hex Coffee, Mugs Coffee and The Hobbyist
Restaurants including Viva Chicken, Trio, Potbelly Sandwich Shop, Fuel Pizza and Beef & Bottle Restaurant

AT&T and Spectrum internet subscribers can also take advantage of free Wi-Fi hotspots throughout the Charlotte area and beyond. To access the free Wi-Fi hotspots, you’ll need your account login information.

Charlotte internet FAQs

What internet can I get in Charlotte?

Spectrum, AT&T, Windstream and Google Fiber are the largest internet providers in the Charlotte area. Spectrum and AT&T are available throughout the city while Windstream and Google Fiber availability is limited to select areas.

Is fiber internet available in Charlotte?

Yes. In fact, fiber is available to 75% of city residents thanks to broad coverage from providers such as AT&T, Google Fiber and Windstream. Fiber optic internet is a popular choice in Charlotte due to its speed reliability, fast upload speeds and competitive pricing.

What’s the cheapest internet in Charlotte?

AT&T has the lowest-priced internet plan in Charlotte, offering speeds up to 100 Mbps starting at $35/mo. Windstream is another low-priced provider with plans starting at $37/mo.* With starting prices at $49.99/mo., Spectrum is a bit higher-priced, but their lowest plan comes with speeds up to 200 Mbps and equipment rental costs are only an additional $5/mo.

Last updated 11/05/20.

Written by:

David Anders

Senior Writer, Broadband Content

David joined the Allconnect team in 2017, specializing in broadband and TV content. His work has been referenced by a variety of sources, including ArcGIS, DIRECTV and more. As a Senior Writer, David is motivate… Read more