Best Internet Providers in Charlotte, North Carolina

What is the best internet provider in Charlotte?

There are a variety of internet service providers in Charlotte, North Carolina, and depending on what you’re looking for, you’ll be able to narrow down which are the right ones for you. You can narrow down that search by looking at a few factors, such as your budget and speed requirements. With all that in mind, AT&T Fiber is CNET’s pick for the best internet provider in Charlotte, North Carolina. Not only does it offer promising high speeds with its multi-gig plans, but it does so at a fabulous price.

Of course, AT&T isn’t the only ISP worth considering. Spectrum has cheaper plans and more extensive high-speed coverage throughout Charlotte, and its wide availability makes it a promising option for those looking to bundle it with TV plans.

Looking for an internet connection with speed like no other? Consider Google Fiber. Its fastest plan offers 8 gigabits per second for $150 per month. For affordable home broadband, try Kinetic by Windstream’s $25/month plan, which offers speeds up to 100 Mbps.

Living in the greater Charlotte area my whole life — from Concord to Fort Mill and spending time in University City, Oakhurst and Pineville — I’ve gotten to know the local internet providers pretty well. I can help you find the cheapest plans and the fastest speeds so you can easily compare your options.

Best internet in Charlotte, North Carolina

Source: CNET analysis of provider data.

Other available internet providers in Charlotte

• EarthLink: Internet service from EarthLink runs on the networks of other providers. In Charlotte, that provider is AT&T, so EarthLink is technically available wherever you find AT&T. However, AT&T has many of the same selling points as EarthLink, such as unlimited data and no contracts, not to mention lower pricing, so you’re better off going with AT&T. 
• Kinetic by Windstream: Kinetic is largely known for offering service in suburban or rural areas, and its coverage in Charlotte is no different. While a few Charlotte neighborhoods are serviceable for Kinetic, you’ll find the best coverage in surrounding areas such as Albemarle, Concord and Matthews.
• Satellite internet: Service from Hughesnet and Viasat is also available throughout most of Charlotte and the surrounding area. But with plenty of other internet options, satellite service is not worth the cost.

Cheap internet options in Charlotte

The average starting price for internet service in Charlotte is around $50 per month. Kinetic by Windstream has the lowest starting price in the area at $25 per month with speeds up to 100Mbps.

Source: CNET analysis of provider data.

Take our quiz

Get Started

How many members of your household use the internet?

Next

A little over 62% of Charlotte is serviceable for fiber-optic internet service. AT&T is Charlotte’s largest fiber internet provider, but Google Fiber also contributes to the area’s fiber coverage.

Aside from the Access from AT&T, your best bet to get free Wi-Fi in Charlotte is at your local Mecklenburg County Library branch. Other county facilities, such as the Mecklenburg County Courthouse, may offer a free Wi-Fi connection. You can also look at other public buildings, such as restaurants and coffee shops. When using a public Wi-Fi connection, remember that your data may not be secure, so try to avoid accessing or entering private information on your computer or mobile device when using a public Wi-Fi network.

Wi-Fi is a way of connecting to your internet service, not a separate one on its own, so you’ll need a standard internet connection and a Wi-Fi router to get Wi-Fi in your home. Starting prices for internet service in Charlotte range from $40 to $70 per month, but the added fee for Wi-Fi will vary by provider. AT&T, Google Fiber and T-Mobile 5G are some providers that include Wi-Fi equipment at no extra cost, meaning your Wi-Fi is essentially “free.” Spectrum charges $10 per month for Wi-Fi equipment rental, but you can skip that fee by using your own router or enrolling in the 1,000Mbps plan (which includes a free router).

No. Spectrum is Charlotte’s primary cable internet service provider, though Comporium may be an option for those south of the city. Optimum and Xfinity are not available in Charlotte.

Share

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Linkedin