Internet providers in Charlottesville, VA

Published 4:41 pm ET Jul 22

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Best overall
- Prices: $19.99 per month
- Speeds up to: 2,000 Mbps
with a mobile unlimited plan that includes 5G Ultra Wideband. With Auto Pay + Paperless billing.
Call to order: (877) 417-5069
with a mobile unlimited plan that includes 5G Ultra Wideband. With Auto Pay + Paperless billing.

Best fixed wireless coverage
- Prices: $60.00 per month
- Speeds up to: 245 Mbps
Call to order: (877) 818-8727

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Allconnect’s team of broadband experts regularly reviews the top internet service providers in the U.S., scrutinizing each company under a rigorous scoring system to help our readers make informed internet purchases. We keep our data points accurate and up to date based on thorough research and partnership communications. Our content is not directed by partners. Visit our full methodology page and advertising disclosure to learn more.

A small and scenic town in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Charlottesville has a lot to offer Virginians. With only about 46,500 residents and plenty of outdoor activities within reach, locals have plenty of opportunities to enjoy their surroundings. Plus, Charlottesville is home to the University of Virginia, a popular student destination founded by Thomas Jefferson himself.

Whether you’re a student, a lover of the outdoors or simply a local who enjoys the small-town life, you need reliable home internet in Charlottesville. Fortunately, even in a town this size, you’ve got several choices, with home Wi-Fi prices starting as low as $30/mo.

Read on to start exploring your options from internet service providers in Charlottesville.

Best internet providers in Charlottesville, VA

Xfinity: Best overall
Ting: Best fiber internet
T-Mobile Home Internet: Best fixed wireless coverage
Viasat: Best satellite internet

Charlottesville internet comparison

There aren’t quite as many options for high-speed home Wi-Fi plans in smaller towns, but Charlottesville has several excellent choices that will fit a range of users. Whether you’re into online gaming or simply need to keep up with work emails, you can find a plan that works. Depending on where you live in Charlottesville, home internet is available with download speeds of up to 2,000 Mbps.

The following table breaks down our top four choices for Charlottesville internet providers:

Provider	Starting price range*	Download speed range	Connection type
Xfinity	$30–$90/mo.	300–2,000 Mbps	Cable
Ting	$89/mo.	1,000 Mbps	Fiber
T-Mobile Home Internet	$60/mo.	72–245 Mbps	Fixed wireless
Viasat	$49.99–$249.99/mo.	25–150 Mbps	Satellite

*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. Price may include autopay and paperless billing discounts. Speeds may vary. As of 1/18/24.

Methodology

We rated the largest internet providers in the U.S. for 2024. Each provider was rated on a scale of 1 to 5 based on over a dozen factors, including speed, cost, availability, fees, customer satisfaction, connection type and more. We also used data from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to compare the average speed offered by internet companies in the U.S. to set a baseline for what is considered a good internet speed. Additionally, we analyzed data from the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) to understand how each internet service provider (ISP) fares in customer service and perceived value.

How to choose a provider in Charlottesville, VA

Just because Charlottesville doesn’t have as many options doesn’t mean you should treat your choice of internet provider lightly. Here are a few things to consider as you shop the best internet providers in Charlottesville:

Review all monthly costs: Advertised internet prices often seem better than they actually are. Charlottesville internet providers may include additional monthly fees for equipment and taxes, and you may have to pay an upfront charge for installation. Be sure you understand all these costs so you can budget properly.
Conduct a home Wi-Fi audit: You can’t select the right home internet plan without understanding how everyone in your household uses Wi-Fi. Using a few connected devices for light streaming may only require 100–200 Mbps download speeds, while 10 connected devices with 4K streaming, gaming and videoconferencing will likely require gigabit connectivity. Learn more about how to evaluate your need for speed in our complete guide.
Search for special deals: There are many ways to get more out of your home internet plan, from bundling discounts to signup perks. Check out special offers from internet providers in Charlottesville to find extra ways to save on your total costs.

Charlottesville internet provider reviews

Xfinity – Best overall

Comcast Xfinity is the largest internet provider, and its cable service is available to nearly 100% of Charlottesville residents. With reasonable starting prices, options for bundling services and fast download speeds of up to 2 GB, Xfinity is our top pick for home internet in the area. However, the company falls short in terms of customer service, equipment fees and long-term price increases.

Overall score: 4.0 out of 5.

Read our full Xfinity review.

Ting – Best fiber internet

Charlottesville hasn’t yet caught up to larger towns in terms of fiber speed and availability, but Ting is a good option for many homes in the area. The company only offers one plan at 1 GB for $89/mo., so choices are limited. Currently, Ting is available to roughly 56% of Charlottesville residents. There are no contracts or data caps, and you can connect over 20 devices without any lag in download/upload speeds.

T-Mobile Home Internet – Best fixed wireless coverage

T-Mobile isn’t the fastest option for fixed wireless home internet, but it has the best high-speed 5G coverage in Charlottesville. In some areas, T-Mobile’s service reaches up to 245 Mbps. The company keeps things simple with one straightforward plan and great discounts for cellular customers. Besides a one-time $35 setup charge, there are no additional fees.

Overall score: 4.1 out of 5.

Read our full T-Mobile review.

Viasat – Best satellite internet

There’s no denying that satellite internet is slower than other options, but Viasat consistently stands out as the fastest of the bunch. Its service is available everywhere, and download speeds reach up to 150 Mbps. Although you get a discount on the first three months of service, Viasat’s monthly fees can be relatively steep in the long run.

Overall score: 2.1 out of 5.

Read our full Viasat review.

Cheap internet in Charlottesville, VA

Browsing on a budget? You’ve got several options for plans from internet service providers in Charlottesville. Our top choices for affordable, fast home Wi-Fi are Xfinity and T-Mobile, but rural customers can also get a decently priced (if slow) connection from Viasat. Here’s an overview of your best choices for cheap internet in Charlottesville:

Plan	Price*	Download speed	Connection type
Xfinity	$30/mo.	150 Mbps	Cable
T-Mobile	$40**–$60/mo.	72–245 Mbps	Fixed wireless
Viasat	$49.99/mo.	25 Mbps	Satellite

Fastest internet in Charlottesville, VA

Home Wi-Fi speeds are lagging a little behind in Charlottesville, with an average download speed of only 209 Mbps. However, users who need a faster internet connection can still get it. Xfinity offers the fastest download speed in the city, but its upload times are still much slower. For the next all-around high-speed plan, we recommend Ting’s fiber internet, which offers symmetrical upload and download speeds of 1,000 Mbps.

Plan	Price*	Download speed	Connection type
Xfinity	$120/mo.	Up to 2,000 Mbps	Cable
Ting	$89/mo.	Up to 1,000 Mbps	Fiber
T-Mobile	$40**–$60/mo.	Up to 245 Mbps	Fixed wireless

Charlottesville internet technology

Internet performance comes down to several factors, perhaps the most important of which is your connection type. Fiber is quite different from satellite, so it’s important to understand the following options from internet service providers in Charlottesville.

Fiber: When it comes to speed and reliability, nothing beats fiber-optic cables. Fiber networks offer lag-free, symmetrical upload and download speeds, often of 5 GB or more. Availability varies in Charlottesville, with anywhere from 10% to 90% coverage in some areas.
Cable: Cable internet’s upload times can’t compete with fiber, but its download speeds are much closer. In fact, Xfinity’s cable internet offers the fastest download times of any internet provider in Charlottesville. It’s also available almost everywhere in the city. However, beware that cable can get quite laggy with multiple devices and high internet traffic.
Fixed wireless/5G: Cellular providers have a ways to go to compete with cable and fiber, but these networks are growing quickly in Charlottesville. 5G technology now offers much faster download times than LTE, so it’s possible to get a strong home Wi-Fi connection from providers like T-Mobile and Verizon. Note that fixed wireless tends to lag significantly in high-traffic conditions.
Satellite: Satellite internet is available almost everywhere, making it an excellent choice for rural customers. However, you’ll need to install a satellite dish on your property, so you’ll pay a lot for relatively slow connection speeds.

Charlottesville internet FAQs

What is the least expensive type of internet connection?

Home internet prices vary depending on connection type, plan, equipment charges and more. Generally, satellite and DSL cost more for slower connection speeds, while cable, fiber and fixed wireless offer reasonable starting prices for 150–300 Mbps. Many providers bump up the price after the first year, so be sure to read the fine print carefully.

How much is internet per month in Virginia?

Pricing depends on the type of connection in your area and the specific plan you choose. In Charlottesville, for instance, you can get home Wi-Fi for anywhere from $30/mo. to $250/mo.

Who has the best home Wi-Fi service?

Choosing the best home internet option depends on several factors, including customer service, connection type, reliability, speed and more. AT&T is our top pick for home Wi-Fi nationwide, while Xfinity is our go-to for users in Charlottesville.

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Luke DaughertyAllconnect.com

Luke Daugherty is a freelance writer, editor, and former operations manager. His work covers a wide range of topics, including streaming and internet tech, green energy, and personal finance. His work, bylined and ghostwritten, has appeared in The Balance, CNET, CIO Magazine, Entrepreneur, and more.

Hannah WhatleyAllconnect.com

Hannah Whatley is an editor who enjoys collaborating with writers to offer readers the most relevant, accurate, and up-to-date information for their home purchases. She has previously edited for The Motley Fool, The Modest Wallet, Grammarly, JoinCake.com and SaveOnEnergy.com, gaining expertise in several industries. Hannah has a B.A. in English from Thomas Edison State University. When she isn’t editing, she enjoys studying linguistics and languages.