As a lifelong Charlotte-area resident, I keep in mind when Time Warner Cable was the possibility for web. Home web choices in Charlotte now are about the identical as any metropolis: One or two cable web suppliers and one or two fiber web suppliers. With Charlotte, that cable possibility goes to be Spectrum, which continues to be technically TWC, however has modified over to Spectrum since being acquired by Charter. For fiber service, AT&T can be your finest guess, however chances are you’ll discover Google Fiber or Kinetic by Windstream out there as properly, relying on the place you reside within the Queen City.
Charlotte additionally has the distinctive possibility of 5G residence web service from T-Mobile, which is at present out there to roughly half of the realm’s households. There are different web choices, after all, similar to DSL and satellite tv for pc web, however I will not waste your time with these, and to be sincere, you should not both. Here’s a have a look at the perfect web suppliers within the Charlotte space.
Ry Crist/CNET
Price vary: $55-$180 monthlySpeed vary: 300-5,000MbpsPerks: Unlimited information, no contracts, tools includedSpecial presents: $200 present card while you join AT&T Fiber onlineWhy select it: AT&T isn’t solely the quickest supplier in Charlotte, it is also the biggest fiber supplier and has arguably the perfect mixture of pace and worth of any supplier within the space.
AT&T presents web all through a lot of Charlotte, however there are some pockets, similar to to the west round CLT-Douglas and across the University space, the place AT&T may be unavailable.
Most AT&T-serviceable households within the space are eligible for fiber service, which now has the potential to ship as much as 5,000Mbps, making AT&T the quickest web supplier in Charlotte. If that is extra pace than you want, AT&T Fiber has quite a lot of different high-speed, high-value plans, all of which include limitless information, no contract necessities and no further Wi-Fi tools prices.
AT&T’s fiber community hasn’t absolutely coated the Charlotte space but, so it is attainable your handle is simply out there for AT&T Internet, a DSL-based service. Pricing continues to be comparatively low with AT&T Internet beginning at $55 monthly, however speeds can range and DSL is a less-reliable connection kind generally. In brief, I’d suggest contemplating different Charlotte web suppliers if your property is simply serviceable for DSL.
Read our AT&T Fiber evaluation.
AT&T Home Internet
Photo Illustration by Pavlo Gonchar/SOPA Images/LightRocket by way of Getty Images
Price vary: $70-$100 monthlySpeed vary: 1,000-2,000MbpsPerks: Unlimited information, no contracts, tools includedWhy select it: Google Fiber has barely decrease pricing than AT&T Fiber on gigabit and two-gigabit web plans.
Going with Google Fiber in your residence web service in Charlotte comes down to 2 questions: “Is it out there?” and, “Do you need gigabit web?” If the reply to each is sure, then Google Fiber will most likely be your finest guess.
The availability half could also be a problem because the supplier is simply at present provided to round 10% of Charlotte households. You’ll have the perfect odds of getting service in case you reside in or are transferring to northeast Charlotte just under Concord Mills or the Southpark space, however there are random spots in Uptown and round Charlotte which might be additionally serviceable. If you are fortunate sufficient to have an handle serviceable for Google Fiber, it is undoubtedly value contemplating.
While Google Fiber has a better beginning value than different Charlotte web suppliers, the speeds you get for the cash are properly well worth the premium price. Plans additionally include limitless information and no contract necessities, as do most web suppliers in Charlotte. Wi-Fi tools can be included with Google Fiber service.
Google Webpass, a high-speed fastened wi-fi service standard in flats and different multi-unit buildings, isn’t out there in Charlotte.
Read our Google Fiber evaluation.
Ry Crist/CNET
Price vary: $50-$110 monthlySpeed vary: 200-940MbpsPerks: Unlimited information, no contracts, modem includedWhy select it: Spectrum is the go-to cable web supplier in Charlotte. Wherever you reside within the metropolis, you may depend on it being out there. Speeds, pricing and bundle choices aren’t dangerous, both.
Spectrum’s largest promoting level in Charlotte is availability. The cable web supplier is on the market to 100% of Charlotte households, which might make it simpler to enroll in web service after which switch it while you transfer, wherever that occurs to be within the metropolis.
Cable suppliers usually get a foul rap, maybe deservedly in some circumstances, however Spectrum is definitely a stable alternative for residence web in Charlotte. Speeds are first rate and the pricing is cheap, although I believe there’s room for the gig service to drop some in value. Service phrases are additionally favorable, as all Spectrum plans include limitless information, no contract necessities and a free modem.
Make word: That’s a free modem, however not a free router, which is what you will want to attach wirelessly, over Wi-Fi. A router rental is simply $5 additional, or you may provide your individual and skip the payment.
Spectrum is certainly certainly one of your higher web choices in Charlotte, nevertheless it’s nonetheless cable web. That means considerably slower add speeds than fiber service, in addition to the potential for decreased speeds throughout peak utilization occasions. The cable connection does, nevertheless, make Spectrum a sensible choice for bundling web and TV service.
Read our Spectrum evaluation.
Spectrum Internet
Rick Broida/CNET
Price vary: $50 monthlySpeed vary: 35-115MbpsPerks: Unlimited information, no contracts, tools includedWhy select it: You’re dead-set in opposition to cable web, and fiber service is not out there at your handle.
The arrival of 5G has introduced some much-needed competitors to the house web market, notably in suburban and rural areas, nevertheless it nonetheless has a option to go earlier than it is actually competing with cable or fiber web.
At $50 monthly for speeds as much as 115Mbps, T-Mobile’s 5G residence web service is sensible in case you’re simply exterior the Charlotte metropolis limits, say down in Lancaster, South Carolina or out in a rural a part of Rowan County. But in case you’re in Charlotte or Mecklenburg County, you will probably have a minimum of one different quicker, wired connection out there similar to Spectrum or AT&T.
Still, possibly you’ve got tried both or each of these suppliers, or others within the Charlotte space, and simply aren’t glad with the service. In that case, it might be value exploring 5G residence web from T-Mobile. You’ll solely have one plan possibility, $50 monthly for the quickest speeds out there at your handle, nevertheless it comes with the whole lot you want, together with tools and limitless information, at no additional price. There’s additionally no contract, so you may strive it out basically risk-free to see in case you’re prepared to switch your wired reference to a wi-fi one.
Read our T-Mobile residence web overview.
Compare Charlotte, NC web supplier particulars
Top Charlotte web suppliers by availability
Spectrum
AT&T
T-Mobile 5G
Kinetic by Windstream
Google Fiber
Comporium
Starting month-to-month value
$50-$110
$55-$180
$50
$37-$67
$70-$100
$30-$83
Speed vary
200-940Mbps
300-5,000Mbps
25-115Mbps
200-1,000Mbps
1,000-2,000Mbps
100-1,000Mbps
Equipment price
$5
None
None
$10
None
$10
Data cap
None
None
None
None
None
None
Contract
None
None
None
None
None
None
Availability
100%
88%
50%
13%
10%
1%
CNET evaluation rating
7.2
7.4
N/A
6.7
7.4
N/A
What different web choices are there in Charlotte?
These suppliers could also be out there to elements of Charlotte, however they probably will not be your first and even second alternative for residence web until you reside simply exterior town.
Comporium – Outside of the Steele Creek space, particularly Ayrsley, cable web from Comporium is simply out there to the south of Charlotte over the border into South Carolina and elements of Union County. With plans beginning at $30 monthly, Comporium is the most affordable supplier within the space, however clients ought to count on a value improve after the primary three months.EarthLink – Internet service from EarthLink runs on the networks of different suppliers. In the case of Charlotte, that supplier is AT&T, so EarthLink is technically out there wherever you discover AT&T. However, AT&T has most of the identical promoting factors of EarthLink, similar to limitless information and no contracts, to not point out decrease pricing, so that you’re higher off simply going with AT&T. Kinetic by Windstream – Kinetic is essentially recognized for providing service in suburban or rural areas, and its protection in Charlotte isn’t any totally different. While just a few Charlotte neighborhoods are serviceable for Kinetic, you will discover the perfect protection in surrounding areas similar to Albemarle, Concord and Matthews. If Kinetic’s fiber service is on the market at your handle, it is value testing, however chances are you’ll wish to go on the DSL service if that is all you will get.
Satellite service from HughesNet and Viasat can be out there all through most of Charlotte and the encompassing space, however once more, with loads of different web choices out there, satellite tv for pc web isn’t value the price.
Getty Images
A more in-depth have a look at residence web in Charlotte
Cost and pace are sometimes the 2 most essential components when selecting a house web service, however there are others like information caps and contracts that you will wish to consider as properly.
So, how do Charlotte web suppliers stack up? Here’s a have a look at what to anticipate when purchasing for low cost or high-speed web plans in Charlotte, in addition to the circumstances that include signing up.
Charlotte web pricing
The common beginning value for web service in Charlotte is slightly below $50 monthly. Comporium has the bottom beginning value for web in Charlotte — $30 monthly for speeds as much as 100Mbps — however once more, serviceability is tough to come back by and the value goes up after three months. You’ll discover the best beginning value with Google Fiber at $70, however with gig speeds, the plan can be excessive in worth.
The two largest Charlotte web suppliers, AT&T and Spectrum, have the identical beginning value of $55 monthly, however Spectrum can be $5 cheaper in case you select to make use of your individual tools. After the primary 12 months, lookout for a value improve of as much as $25 monthly from Spectrum that may give AT&T the clear pricing benefit.
What’s the most affordable web in Charlotte?
Cheapest web plans in Charlotte
Provider
Starting value
Standard value
Max obtain speeds
Equipment payment
Comporium Essential Internet
$30
$50 (after 3 months)
100Mbps
$10
Kinetic Internet
$40
$55 (after 12 months)
50Mbps
$7
Spectrum Internet
$50
$75 (after 12 months)
200Mbps
$5
T-Mobile 5G Home Internet
$50
$50
115Mbps
None
AT&T Fiber 300
$55
$55
300Mbps
None
Google Fiber Gig
$70
$70
1,000Mbps
None
Internet service for low revenue households in Charlotte
Every family wants a broadband connection, however sadly not each family can afford one. To assist with broadband web accessibility in low-income Charlotte households and communities, the North Carolina Department of Information and Technology recommends looking for help from the FCC’s Affordable Connectivity Program.
Per the NCDIT, this system supplies a $30 monthly profit to assist qualifying Charlotte households afford entry to high-speed web service, plus a one-time low cost of as much as $100 for a laptop computer, pill, or desktop laptop. For extra info, see Trey Paul’s article on what the Affordable Connectivity Program is and tips on how to apply.
Charlotte web suppliers AT&T and Spectrum may additionally supply low revenue web choices separate from or along with the Affordable Connectivity Program. AT&T’s inexpensive web program, Access from AT&T, could even present free web with speeds as much as 100Mbps (at a price of $30 monthly, which works out to internet $0 when mixed with ACP advantages). Spectrum presents an analogous plan, Spectrum Internet Assist, which presents speeds as much as 30Mbps, however charges could range by family and there is nonetheless the $5 Wi-Fi tools rental payment.
Charlotte web speeds
Charlotte is not residence to the most affordable web plans you will discover, nevertheless it does sport a number of the quickest residence web speeds out there anyplace. Google Fiber has provided multigig speeds of as much as 2,000Mbps (2Gbps) within the Charlotte space for a 12 months or so now, and AT&T just lately joined the multigig membership with a 2,000Mbps plan of its personal, plus a 5,000Mbps plan. If neither supplier is on the market at your handle, Spectrum nonetheless presents obtain speeds as much as 940Mbps all through the complete Charlotte space.
What’s the quickest web in Charlotte?
Fastest web plans in Charlotte
Provider
Starting value
Max obtain speeds
Max add speeds
Data cap
AT&T Fiber 5000
$180
5,000Mbps
5,000Mbps
None
Google Fiber 2 Gig
$100
2,000Mbps
1,000Mbps
None
Comporium Zipstream
$83
1,000Mbps
1,000Mbs
None
Kinetic Gig
$70
1,000Mbps
1,000Mbps
None
Spectrum Internet Gig
$110
940Mbps
35Mbps
None
Most of the quickest web plans in Charlotte additionally include symmetrical, or a minimum of nonetheless very quick, add speeds. The exception is Spectrum — as a cable community, it would not help the identical add speeds that you will get from a fiber connection. Comporium has a fiber community, however is primarily a cable web supplier as properly, so there could also be some areas that aren’t eligible for the quickest add speeds the supplier has to supply within the space.
Don’t fret over the advantageous print
When utilizing a high-speed web connection, it is simple to devour a lot of information every month, which is usually a drawback if in case you have a knowledge cap. You will not have to fret about that in Charlotte, nevertheless, as all main ISPs within the space include limitless information.
Contracts aren’t a problem, both, as AT&T, Comporium, Google Fiber, Kinetic, Spectrum and T-Mobile’s 5G residence web service don’t require one when signing up.
Charlotte web FAQs
Can you get free web in Charlotte?
Aside from the Access from AT&T and the Affordable Connectivity Program, your finest guess to get free Wi-Fi in Charlotte is at your native Mecklenburg County Library department. Other county amenities, such because the Mecklenburg County Courthouse, may additionally supply a free Wi-Fi connection, as do many different public buildings similar to eating places and low retailers. Keep in thoughts when utilizing a public Wi-Fi connection that your information is probably not safe, so attempt to keep away from accessing or getting into personal info in your laptop or cell gadget when utilizing a public Wi-Fi community.
How a lot is Wi-Fi in Charlotte?
Wi-Fi is a approach of connecting to your web service, not a separate service by itself, so you will want a typical web connection, plus a Wi-Fi router, to get Wi-Fi in your house. Starting costs for web service in Charlotte ranges from $30 to $70 monthly, however the added payment for Wi-Fi will range by supplier. AT&T, Google Fiber and T-Mobile 5G embrace Wi-Fi tools at no additional price, which means your Wi-Fi is basically “free.” Spectrum prices $5 monthly for Wi-Fi tools rental, however you may skip that payment by utilizing your individual router.
Does Charlotte have Optimum or Xfinity?
No. Spectrum is the first cable web service supplier within the Charlotte space, although Comporium could also be an possibility for these south of town. Optimum and Xfinity will not be out there in Charlotte.