9 Best Internet Providers in 27281, NC
Find internet availability by address in 27281, NC
Jump to: Best Internet Provider | Availability Maps | Customer Reviews | 27281 ISP Report Card | Business Internet in 27281
| 27281 ISP Report Card | C+ | |
| Download Speed for Most Households | 1,216 Mbps | |
| Number of Internet Service Providers | 9 | |
| Real 27281 Customer Ratings | 0 |
This page reflects the most recent FCC update from January 06, 2026, based on the Broadband Data Collection as of June 30, 2025.
This page reflects the most recent FCC update from January 06, 2026, based on the Broadband Data Collection as of June 30, 2025.
27281 has 9 internet service providers, they are sorted by coverage, available speed, and customer rating from our unbiased internet provider report. Fiber, Cable, DSL, and Fixed Wireless internet are available in the zip. Reviews are grouped by provider and the type of service they offer, covering all 4 available internet technologies in 27281.
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27281 has 9 internet service providers, they are sorted by coverage, available speed, and customer rating from our unbiased internet provider report. Fiber, Cable, DSL, and Fixed Wireless internet are available in the zip. Reviews are grouped by provider and the type of service they offer, covering all 4 available internet technologies in 27281.
Compare Providers Ranked by Coverage, Speed, and Customer Ratings
Brightspeed
Connection
Customer Rating
Fiber
DSL
Spectrum
Connection
Customer Rating
Fiber
Cable
Windstream
Connection
Customer Rating
Fiber
DSL
River Street
Connection
Customer Rating
Fiber
DSL
Fixed Wireless
Above are the top 4 providers in 27281, NC for most people based on high speed internet coverage, speeds, and customer reviews. Click below to see all providers in your zip.
Speed and technology may vary by address for all providers. Please note we may have a financial relationship with some of the providers above, which does not impact the customer ratings displayed. Customer ratings listed above are national ratings, local 27281 ratings may vary and are shown below.
Who is the Best Internet Provider in 27281, NC?
Windstream is the best internet provider in 27281 based on North Carolina customer satisfaction ratings and reviews. Based on our extensive and unbiased survey, Windstream had the best reviews at the local, state, and national levels versus all available providers in 27281, making it a solid recommendation among providers with reviews. Unfortunately, Windstream is an option for 34.62% of the zip.
or call 1-833-330-3395
The chart and table below show average customer ratings from customers in 27281, North Carolina, and customers throughout the country.
Top Rated Internet Providers in 27281
Local, State, and National Ratings for all 27281 Internet Providers
| ISP / Tech Type | 27281 Overall | North Carolina Overall | National Overall | For Service | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Windstream | (0) | (4) | (87) | View Plans | ||
| EarthLink | (0) | (1) | (12) | View Plans | ||
| Verizon | (0) | (7) | (723) | View Plans | ||
| AT&T | (0) | (49) | (924) | View Plans | ||
| T-Mobile Home Internet | (0) | (9) | (284) | View Plans | ||
| Spectrum | (0) | (186) | (1738) | View Plans | ||
| Brightspeed | (0) | (14) | (64) | View Plans | ||
| River Street | (0) | (1) | (2) | View Plans | ||
| US Cellular | (0) | (0) | (15) | View Plans | ||
| HughesNet | (0) | (0) | (18) | View Plans | ||
| Viasat | (0) | (0) | (11) | View Plans |
Based on 271 reviews from North Carolina internet customers, Windstream is the best internet service provider for 27281 residents. Windstream was rated at an average of 4.25 out of 5 in our report for overall customer satisfaction. EarthLink wins for second-place in North Carolina, with 4.00 out of 5 stars and 35.7% coverage in 27281.
At a national level, based on 3878 national reviews for any of the providers listed above, River Street Networks is rated higher than any other provider, with a rating of 1.81 out of 5.
Which Providers are Available at my Home in 27281?
a different provider.

Internet Availability Key
Speeds and coverage vary within the zip, and sometimes even from block to block. The map shows speeds per provider and where each provider is available.
Who is the Fastest Internet Provider in 27281?
According to unbiased feedback from real internet customers in the zip, they reported being happiest with speeds provided by Windstream. On the other hand, based on data provided by the internet providers to the FCC, Spectrum should have faster speeds at a local level. While we typically put more weight on real-world customer ratings, we display both satisfaction and technical maximum information for customers to decide for themselves.
Data Reported to FCC by ISPs: Average Maximum Available in 27281
| ISP / Tech Type | Max Advertised Speed | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Brightspeed | 2,000 Mbps | ||
| Windstream | 1,000 Mbps | ||
| River Street Networks | 1,000 Mbps | ||
| Spectrum | 1,000 Mbps | ||
| Verizon | 300 Mbps | ||
| T-Mobile Home Internet | 100 Mbps | ||
| Viasat | 100 Mbps | ||
| AT&T | 25 Mbps | ||
| EarthLink | 25 Mbps | ||
| HughesNet | 25 Mbps | ||
| US Cellular | 10 Mbps |
Customer Ratings for Internet Provider Speeds in 27281
| ISP / Tech Type | 27281 Speed | North Carolina Speed | National Speed | For Service | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Windstream | (0) | (4) | (87) | View Plans | ||
| EarthLink | (0) | (1) | (12) | View Plans | ||
| AT&T | (0) | (49) | (924) | View Plans | ||
| Spectrum | (0) | (186) | (1738) | View Plans | ||
| Verizon | (0) | (7) | (723) | View Plans | ||
| T-Mobile Home Internet | (0) | (9) | (284) | View Plans | ||
| Brightspeed | (0) | (14) | (64) | View Plans | ||
| River Street | (0) | (1) | (2) | View Plans | ||
| US Cellular | (0) | (0) | (15) | View Plans | ||
| HughesNet | (0) | (0) | (18) | View Plans | ||
| Viasat | (0) | (0) | (11) | View Plans |
Based on data reported by 27281 ISPs to the FCC, the fastest speeds in the zip are available through Spectrum. The company offers speeds up to 2,000 Mbps in 27281. Therefore, the average customer can get up to 1,000 Mbps if they're willing to purchase the fastest subscription tier available at their homes.
Additionally, actual customers in the zip rated their satisfaction with internet speed highest with Windstream. This indicates Windstream reliably delivers speeds expected by the customer based on the plan they are paying for.
Who is the Cheapest Internet Provider in 27281?
North Carolina customers rate T-Mobile Home Internet as the cheapest internet service provider in state. Data comes from customers in the state rating their satisfaction with pricing. This feedback is valuable because it considers price changes and whether the speeds paid for are worth it.
T-Mobile Home Internet received a local rating of 4.11 out of 5, which is about average for the average across all internet providers in the country. Brightspeed is rated in second place for affordability by the company’s 27281 customers with an average price rating of 3.64 out of 5.
The chart and graph below show how customers in 27281, North Carolina, and the United States rated the affordability of their internet service.
Rated Affordability in 27281
| ISP / Tech Type | 27281 Affordability | North Carolina Affordability | National Affordability | For Service | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| T-Mobile Home Internet | (0) | (9) | (284) | View Plans | ||
| Brightspeed | (0) | (14) | (64) | View Plans | ||
| Verizon | (0) | (7) | (723) | View Plans | ||
| Windstream | (0) | (4) | (87) | View Plans | ||
| AT&T | (0) | (49) | (924) | View Plans | ||
| Spectrum | (0) | (186) | (1738) | View Plans | ||
| EarthLink | (0) | (1) | (12) | View Plans | ||
| River Street | (0) | (1) | (2) | View Plans | ||
| US Cellular | (0) | (0) | (15) | View Plans | ||
| HughesNet | (0) | (0) | (18) | View Plans | ||
| Viasat | (0) | (0) | (11) | View Plans |
27281 Internet Health Assessment
ISP Reports evaluates the technological infrastructure across the United States. This includes assessing a grade for ISP providers and infrastructure in the zip and setting an index number for the digital connectivity of its residents. You can view the ISP Report Card and the Digital Connectivity Index for 27281 below, including the metrics used and how 27281 compares to the rest of North Carolina and nation.
| Metric
(hover for details)
|
27281 | North Carolina | USA | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fiber Availability Percent The percentage of households in 27281 that have a Fiber internet connection available to their home. | 58.11% | 72.63% | 67.25% | ||
| Average Download SpeedThe maximum download speed most households can get on average. This is measured by availability in a block group and weighted by the population in that area. | 1,216 Mbps | 3,368 Mbps | 3,293 Mbps | ||
| Provider CountThe number of providers available for most people. This is a weighted average by block rather than a total for 27281. | 5.2 | 7.0 | 6.8 |
| Average Household SizeA larger household size in a zip indicates that there will be a greater need for bandwidth due to simultaneous usage, multiple devices, and network congestion. | 2.5 | 2.5 | 2.7 | ||
| Work From Home PercentA higher percent of the population working from home indicates bandwidth requirements being more widely needed rather than consolidated to commercial portions of the city. | 8% | 15% | 14% | ||
| Households with DevicesA higher percentage of households with computing devices in the home indicates a higher level of infrastructure needed to support those households. | 98% | 94% | 95% | ||
| Households with InternetA higher percentage of households with internet indicates a higher need for usage and connectivity in people’s daily lives. | 88% | 89% | 90% | ||
| Households with BroadbandA higher percentage of households with a broadband connection (defined as speeds above 25 Mbps) indicates heavier usage needs within these households. | 74% | 76% | 75% | ||
| Broadband Usage vs. AvailabilityThis measures what percentage of households who have a broadband connection to their home actually have an active subscription to that service. | 74% | 77% | 76% |
Our demographic data is sourced from the latest 5-year release of the American Community Survey by the US Census Bureau.
27281 ISP Report Card & Digital Connectivity Index
The ISP Report Card in 27281 is C+, which is better than other zip codes. The local demand for broadband internet connectivity in 27281 is high with a score of 59 / 100 in our Digital Connectivity Index. This means that internet service providers operating in 27281 have done a average job meeting the needs of its residents.
The 27281 ISP Report Card evaluates the zip on availability and speed metrics compared to other zip codes in the United States. ISP Infrastructure can vary greatly and on its own isn’t a perfect measure of what a zip needs. Please see our ISP Report Card along with the Digital Connectivity Index above to evaluate how well the connectivity demand is met by the existing infrastructure.
88% of 27281 households have an internet connection despite having 99.60% availability. 74% of households have fiber, cable, or DSL, 12% have satellite, 1% are still on dial-up, and 0% of households have internet but don’t pay for a subscription because it’s subsidized by the Affordable Connectivity Program.
As you can see in the table above, while 74% of households have a broadband connection such as fiber, cable or DSL available to their home, 74% subscribe to it. A large amount of 27281 residents are taking advantage of the available internet infrastructure.
For more details, please visit our ISP Report Card and Digital Connectivity Index pages.
How do Neighboring Zip Codes Compare to 27281?
- ISP Report Card: B+
- Digital Connectivity Index: 50 / 100
- ISP Report Card: B
- Digital Connectivity Index: 69 / 100
- ISP Report Card: C+
- Digital Connectivity Index: 73 / 100
How Much Speed does a 27281 Household Need?
Higher speed is typically preferred, but that comes at a higher price. The average size of a household in 27281 is 2.5, which is smaller than the North Carolina average of 2.5 and smaller than the national average of 2.7. 27281's average household income is $68,340 which is about average for the North Carolina average of $80,144 and about average for the national average of $90,606. Homes with fewer people living in them and with lower incomes tend to indicate fewer devices being used less often.
27281 also has 15% of its population enrolled in school between the 6th grade and college level, this is lower than the North Carolina average of 16%. Additionally, 8% of residents work from home, which is lower than the 15% of residents in North Carolina who work from home. This and other factors you can see above show us that the community of 27281 has a high need for internet connectivity and speeds.
Compared to the rest of the country, 27281 households are much more technology-engaged. 98% of households have some sort of computing device, 81% have desktops or laptops in the home, and 93% have smartphones. To see what speeds you are currently getting, please visit our internet speed test tool.
Which Fiber Internet Providers are Available in 27281?
Spectrum Fiber in 27281, NC
Spectrum offers Fiber service to 40.5% of 27281 homes. Across the zip, Spectrum Fiber has speeds up to 1,000 Mbps
Brightspeed Fiber in 27281, NC
Brightspeed offers Fiber service to 27.5% of 27281 homes. Across the zip, Brightspeed Fiber has speeds up to 2,000 Mbps
Windstream Fiber in 27281, NC
Windstream offers Fiber service to 12.8% of 27281 homes. Across the zip, Windstream Fiber has speeds up to 1,000 Mbps
River Street Fiber in 27281, NC
River Street Networks offers Fiber service to 8.2% of 27281 homes. Across the zip, River Street Fiber has speeds up to 1,000 Mbps
Which Cable Internet Providers are Available in 27281?
Spectrum Cable in 27281, NC
Spectrum offers Cable service to 46.3% of 27281 homes. Across the zip, Spectrum Cable has speeds up to 1,000 Mbps
Which DSL Internet Providers are Available in 27281?
Brightspeed DSL in 27281, NC
Brightspeed offers DSL service to 88.7% of 27281 homes. Across the zip, Brightspeed DSL has speeds up to 37 Mbps, with speeds from 10 Mpbs up to 100 Mbps depending on the address. Upload speeds differ from download speeds, and are as low 1.0 and as high as 10, with an average of 3.9 Mbps throughout the zip. Brightspeed DSL is rated lower than other types of internet service available in 27281 from Brightspeed in terms of customer satisfaction.
Windstream DSL in 27281, NC
Windstream offers DSL service to 26.7% of 27281 homes. Across the zip, Windstream DSL has speeds up to 144 Mbps, with speeds from 10 Mpbs up to 300 Mbps depending on the address. Upload speeds differ from download speeds, and are as low 1.0 and as high as 83, with an average of 37 Mbps throughout the zip. Windstream DSL is rated lower than other types of internet service available in 27281 from Windstream in terms of customer satisfaction.
River Street DSL in 27281, NC
River Street Networks offers DSL service to 2.9% of 27281 homes. Across the zip, River Street DSL has speeds up to 10 Mbps
Which Fixed Wireless and LTE Internet Providers are Available in 27281?
T-Mobile Home Internet Fixed Wireless in 27281, NC
T-Mobile Home Internet offers Fixed Wireless service to 94.0% of 27281 homes. Across the zip, T-Mobile Home Internet Fixed Wireless is the only type of service available from the company, with speeds up to 57 Mbps, with speeds from 25 Mpbs up to 100 Mbps depending on the address. Upload speeds differ from download speeds, and are as low 3.0 and as high as 20, with an average of 10 Mbps throughout the zip.
River Street Fixed Wireless in 27281, NC
River Street Networks offers Fixed Wireless service to 72.0% of 27281 homes. Across the zip, River Street Fixed Wireless has speeds up to 16 Mbps, with speeds from 10 Mpbs up to 25 Mbps depending on the address. Upload speeds differ from download speeds, and are as low 1.0 and as high as 3.0, with an average of 1.9 Mbps throughout the zip.
EarthLink Fixed Wireless in 27281, NC
EarthLink offers Fixed Wireless service to 35.7% of 27281 homes. Across the zip, EarthLink Fixed Wireless is the only type of service available from the company, with speeds up to 25 Mbps
AT&T Fixed Wireless in 27281, NC
AT&T offers Fixed Wireless service to 35.7% of 27281 homes. Across the zip, AT&T Fixed Wireless is the only type of service available from the company, with speeds up to 25 Mbps
Verizon Fixed Wireless in 27281, NC
Verizon offers Fixed Wireless service to 18.1% of 27281 homes. Across the zip, Verizon Fixed Wireless is the only type of service available from the company, with speeds up to 300 Mbps
US Cellular Fixed Wireless in 27281, NC
US Cellular offers Fixed Wireless service to 9.8% of 27281 homes. Across the zip, US Cellular Fixed Wireless is the only type of service available from the company, with speeds up to 10 Mbps
Which ISP Should You Choose in 27281?
The right ISP for you depends upon your needs, but in general we can make the following suggestions:
- The best all-around internet service provider in 27281 is Windstream.
- The fastest internet provider should be Spectrum. Considering speed for the money and reliability in speeds, Windstream may be a better choice based on real-world local customer feedback.
- The most affordable internet provider in 27281 is T-Mobile Home Internet.
- Viasat, T-Mobile Home Internet, and HughesNet has the broadest coverage in 27281, and is most likely to cover your home. To find out exactly what's available at your home, please use our address search tool.
How does 27281 compare to other cities with a similar population?
To see how 27281 stacks up on the national level, it's useful to look at some other cities with similarly sized populations. Below you can see a list of these cities and how they compare to 27281's C+ ISP Report Card and 59 / 100 Digital Connectivity Index.
- ISP Report Card: C+
- Digital Connectivity Index: 54 / 100
- ISP Report Card: B-
- Digital Connectivity Index: 35 / 100
- ISP Report Card: D+
- Digital Connectivity Index: 24 / 100