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*Price after $10/mo discount (starts within 2 bills) w/ paperless billing & Autopay if enrolled w a debut card or bank account. Discount reduced to $5/mo if enrolled w/ credit card. Monthly State Cost Recovery Charge in TX, OH, NV applies
North Carolina is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, providing easy access to the ocean and the mountains, plus plenty of lush green woods to explore. Its mild climate and low cost of living make the Tar Heel State a great place to settle down long term.
Clearly, many people agree, as North Carolina is among the fastest-growing states in the nation. As many new residents settle in the state, new homeowners and renters are on the hunt for fast, reliable home internet.
Fortunately, North Carolina internet providers offer plenty of options for home Wi-Fi. Read on to explore your top choices for internet in the Tar Heel State.
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Best internet providers in North Carolina
North Carolina residents have numerous options for home Wi-Fi plans. The top-rated internet providers in the state are AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon, but availability varies significantly by market. If you’re searching for multi-gig internet, you may have access to plans from AT&T, Google Fiber or EarthLink. Spectrum, meanwhile, is the most widely available option for gigabit cable internet plans.
Residents outside major urban centers may need to check out fixed wireless or satellite providers to find reasonably fast home Wi-Fi in the Tar Heel State. In the following table, you’ll find the top choices for internet service providers in North Carolina, based on our own ratings and state-wide availability.
*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.
**When bundled with a qualifying mobile plan.
♱Price after $10/mo discount with eligible Autopay & Paperless bill (w/in 2 bills). Monthly State Cost Recovery Charge in TX, OH, NV applies. One time install chrg may apply. See offer details. Speeds based on wired connection. Actual speeds may vary. For 5GIG, single device wired speed maximum 4.7Gbps. For more info, go to www.att.com/speed101. As of 03/20/25.
We rated the largest internet providers in the U.S. for 2025. 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.
Internet technology in North Carolina
It’s important to understand the differences between internet technologies, as each type offers advantages and disadvantages. Fiber internet is by far the fastest option, and fiber providers in North Carolina offer symmetrical upload and download speeds of up to 8 GB for lighting-fast streaming and lag-free gaming. However, fiber-optic lines aren’t available everywhere — they only reach 42% of the state. In many areas, cable internet is the best option, offering gigabit download speeds even if upload speeds and overall performance aren’t as reliable as fiber.
In some parts of the Tar Heel State, 5G fixed wireless is as fast as cable internet, though availability is more limited. If all else fails, satellite internet providers offer reliable connections at slower speeds.
Connection type
Starting price*
Speeds up to
Availability
Satellite
$49.99–$120/mo.
250 Mbps
100%
Cable
$49.99–$79.99/mo.
1,000 Mbps
80%
Fixed wireless
$35**–$70/mo.
1,000 Mbps
61%
Fiber
$49–$245***/mo.
8,000 Mbps
42%
Disclaimers
*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.
**When bundled with a qualifying mobile plan.
***Price after $10/mo discount with eligible Autopay & Paperless bill (w/in 2 bills). Monthly State Cost Recovery Charge in TX, OH, NV applies. One time install chrg may apply. See offer details. As of 03/20/25.
Top North Carolina cities
Your best options for fast home Wi-Fi depend on where you live. North Carolina internet providers differ from town to town, so it’s important to search for options specific to your area. For starters, here are the top providers in the following major metro areas:
Home Wi-Fi can get quite expensive, but it doesn’t have to break the bank. In North Carolina, internet service providers offer affordable home internet plans like Spectrum for as low as $30/mo., cheaper than the national average of $40–$80. Verizon and T-Mobile both offer fixed wireless service for $40 or less — if you bundle internet with a cellular plan. Brightspeed and AT&T fiber plans start at $50 or $55/mo.,* respectively.
*Price after $10/mo discount with eligible Autopay & Paperless bill (w/in 2 bills). Monthly State Cost Recovery Charge in TX, OH, NV applies. One time install chrg may apply. See offer details. As of 03/20/25.
Fast internet options in North Carolina
When it comes to high-speed internet, nothing beats fiber. With symmetrical upload and download speeds of up to 8 GB, Google Fiber is the fastest option in the state, but it’s currently only available in Charlotte and Raleigh. AT&T and EarthLink are in a close tie for second with top speeds of 5 GB, while Brightspeed offers fiber plans of up to 940 Mbps.
Many of the fastest options for home internet are limited to heavily populated urban and suburban areas, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get decent home Wi-Fi in rural areas. Satellite providers are available everywhere, and Starlink offers download speeds of up to 250 Mbps in some regions. Keep in mind that you’ll need to install a satellite dish on your property to receive service.
North Carolina internet FAQs
Is fiber internet available in North Carolina?
Yes, fiber internet is available in North Carolina, with service in roughly 42% of the state. Top providers include Google Fiber, AT&T, EarthLink and Brightspeed.
What is the fastest internet speed in North Carolina?
Google Fiber wins the race in the Tar Heel State, offering symmetrical upload and download speeds of up to 8 GB. AT&T and EarthLink come in second with 5 GB fiber plans.
How do I know if a provider is serviceable for me in North Carolina?
It’s easy to find out if a provider is available in your part of the state. Explore internet coverage on the FCC’s National Broadband Map or enter your address on this page to find internet providers near you.
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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 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.
