Find Charlotte Internet Providers with the Best Deals

Most everyone who lives in Charlotte, North Carolina loves our bustling atmosphere and fun attractions. We’re proud of the NASCAR Hall of Fame and our Carolina Panthers! And our hidden treasure may be the U.S. National Whitewater Center, which is adventure territory for kayaking, rafting, yoga, free climbing and even music festivals. But the best thing about Charlotte is its booming economy, which means we have lots of jobs and a great digital infrastructure. So if you’re looking for an internet provider in Charlotte, you’ll have plenty of choices.

You can find high-speed internet providers in neighborhoods like Uptown, SouthPark, Myers Park, Dilworth, NoDa, and other Charlotte areas. This page can help you find the best internet provider in Charlotte, whether you’re seeking new internet service or looking for the best price in town.

Before you choose from the top Charlotte internet providers, start here to get the information you need. On this page, you can discover what internet speeds are available at your home, and why speed matters. With this guide, you’ll get all the information you need to find your best options with home internet providers in Charlotte, NC.

Types of Internet Services in Charlotte

Knowing what types of internet connection are available is your first step. Charlotte internet providers offer a number of different technologies to get you online. The types of connection available at your home will determine how fast your internet speed will be.

DSL Internet

DSL internet service runs through copper wiring that also hosts landline telephone signals. DSL is an older technology than cable or fiber internet, but it is still ten times faster than dial-up internet. One advantage of DSL is that it’s available in some areas of Charlotte that don’t yet have updated digital infrastructure.

Cable Internet

The signals that transmit cable internet pass along the same cables as cable television. Cable internet can vary widely in speed, but its download speed is sometimes as fast as fiber. Like fiber, cable internet now supplies speeds fast enough for most high-data internet activities.

Fiber Internet

Fiber is the newest technology for getting online. Data travels through a different kind of wiring known as fiber optic with fiber service. These fiber optic cables can transmit data much faster than cable signals can pass through older copper cables.

Another great benefit to fiber internet is symmetrical upload and download speeds. Those fast upload speeds make a difference for quick-response activities such as multiplayer gaming. Remote workers who have to upload large data files will also appreciate the added speed. The downside to fiber is greater expense.

Satellite Internet

Even if you are in the few parts of Charlotte where internet services are scarce, you can always get satellite service. Satellite service covers 100% of the city. The downside of satellite is high latency, which means there will be a lag in your signal. Satellites transmit data from space, which means the signal must travel a very long distance to reach your home. The latency, or delay, means that satellite works best for low-data internet activities such as email and web-browsing. Satellite won’t usually work for multiplayer gaming or HD video streaming. Most satellite plans also have data caps, which makes the service a better choice for those who don’t plan to use large amounts of data.

Top Internet Providers in Charlotte

Overall Best Internet Provider in Charlotte

AT&T Fiber stands out among Charlotte internet providers for its internet speed and affordable price. Their 5GB internet plan is pricey at $180/month, but you can also get their fiber service for up to 300 Mbps for only $55.00/month. But Spectrum runs a very close second, because they offer cable internet up to 200Mbps at $49.99/month, and they cover 100% of the city.

Fastest Internet Provider in Charlotte

In any part of Charlotte where you can get AT&T Fiber’s 5 Gig Plan, you’ll have today’s fastest home internet technology. Equal download and upload speeds place fiber technology far above the competition. Windstream and Earthlink also offer fiber service with symmetrical speeds up to 1000 Mbps.

Most Affordable Internet Provider in Charlotte

The lowest price from ISPs in the Charlotte area comes from Windstream Kinetic fiber at $37/month with no contract required. But if that would be too much for your budget, you may qualify for assistance programs to help you get online.

Best Satellite Internet Provider in Charlotte

HughesNet is your best choice for satellite internet if you don’t have cable or fiber internet. HughesNet offers consistent speeds of 25 Mbps download speed/3 Mbps upload speed. In addition, HughesNet is rolling out HughesNet Fusion in select areas of the country as a breakthrough low-latency satellite internet service.

FAQs: Internet Choices in Charlotte, NC

How do I pick the right internet speed for me?

When choosing an internet speed, consider what you’ll be using the internet for and how many people will be online at the same time in your household. If you’re mostly checking email and browsing the web, a speed of 10-25 Mbps will do the trick. But if you’re planning on streaming videos, gaming, or video chatting with multiple devices, you’ll want a speed of at least 50-150 Mbps. Fiber internet providers in Charlotte offer low latency and high upload speeds, but cable internet can also work well for many online activities. Not sure what your current internet speed is? Test it here.

I work from home. What internet speed should I get?

When working from home, a stable and reliable connection is crucial. A speed of at least 25 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload is recommended for remote workers. If you often upload large files like videos or graphics, look for an upload speed of at least 10-12 Mbps. With multiple people working from home, aim for a minimum of 50 Mbps download speed, and 100 Mbps will ensure fewer interruptions.

What internet speed is best for streaming?

For the best streaming experience, an internet speed of at least 50 Mbps is recommended. To stream HD video on multiple devices at the same time, you’ll want a speed of 150 Mbps.

What internet speed is best for gaming?

For avid gamers with multiple people in the household, a download speed of at least 100-150 Mbps is recommended. But upload speed is also important for gaming. Fiber internet providers offer equal upload and download speeds, but cable internet can also work well if it has high speed and low latency.

How can I get low-cost or free internet in Charlotte?

The “digital divide” occurs when lower-income households cannot afford to pay for internet access. Having a fast, reliable internet connection is crucial to finding opportunity in the job market. Thousands of educational options are also available online.

More and more, national and local leaders are realizing that we have to close the digital divide by ensuring that everyone has access to high-speed internet at home. On a recent visit to Charlotte, NC Governor Roy Cooper pointed to this need and talked about some of the initiatives in the state and in Mecklenburg County to help people get internet access.

In 2022, the federal government created the Affordable Connectivity Plan to offer qualified applicants relief of $30/month on an internet plan. Check to see if you qualify for reduced-cost internet here.

If you need internet access immediately, the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library offers free internet access at all its locations.