Charlotte residential internet coverage
AT&T, Google Fiber , and Spectrum are the largest internet providers in Charlotte.
AT&T has the fastest fiber in Charlotte, with speeds ranging from 300 Mbps to 5,000 Mbps. AT&T also offers slower DSL internet plans that use existing telephone lines—with speeds up to 100 Mbps. AT&T’s service area covers most of the city and surrounding areas, from Highland Creek all the way down to Ballantyne and Provincetowne.
Google Fiber is the second fastest internet provider in the area. Its fiber connections reach up to 1,000 Mbps or 2,000 Mbps, depending on the plan.
EarthLink is another fiber internet provider, but its coverage isn’t quite as widespread as AT&T. Its DSL internet plans top out at 80 Mbps, while its fiber services support up to 5,000 Mbps.
Windstream rounds out the fiber providers list supporting up to 2,000 Mbps. Like EarthLink, its availability isn’t as widespread as AT&T. Windstream is primarily in eastern communities like Villa Heights, Idlewild, East Forest, Providence Crossing, and Piper Glen Estates.
Spectrum is a cable and fiber internet provider with a larger footprint than AT&T in the Charlotte area. Top speeds range from 300 Mbps to 1,000 Mbps. Plus, customers can take advantage of Spectrum’s WiFi hotspots scattered throughout the city.
Finally, Viasat and HughesNet provide satellite internet to areas where landlines can’t reach. They’re also a good alternative if you’re not happy with the land-based providers. Satellite internet is slower and more expensive, however.
Highest-rated internet service providers in Charlotte
AT&T is your highest-ranking national fiber internet provider in the area based on our latest customer satisfaction survey, placing fourth out of 15 national internet providers for overall satisfaction. Google Fiber is another great pick for fiber internet, although it ranks on a regional level, so our survey doesn’t compare it with AT&T. Spectrum (7th) may have some fiber somewhere in Charlotte along with Windstream (10th).
Spectrum appears to be your only national cable internet provider in Charlotte. It ranks sixth in speed satisfaction based on our survey, falling a few notches behind AT&T. Spectrum also ranks seventh in reliability and customer satisfaction, and eighth in price satisfaction— presumable due to the slight price hikes after 12 months. AT&T and Google Fiber don’t raise their prices after a year.