11 Best Internet Providers in Balsam, NC
Find internet availability by address in Balsam, NC
Jump to: Best Internet Provider | Availability Maps | Customer Reviews | Balsam ISP Report Card | Business Internet in Balsam
| Balsam ISP Report Card | B | |
| Download Speed for Most Households | 956 Mbps | |
| Number of Internet Service Providers | 11 | |
| Real Balsam Customer Ratings | 1 |
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.
Balsam has 11 internet service providers, they are sorted by coverage, available speed, and customer rating from our unbiased internet provider report. Fiber, Cable, Fixed Wireless, and DSL internet are available in the city. Reviews are grouped by provider and the type of service they offer, covering all 4 available internet technologies in Balsam.
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Balsam has 11 internet service providers, they are sorted by coverage, available speed, and customer rating from our unbiased internet provider report. Fiber, Cable, Fixed Wireless, and DSL internet are available in the city. Reviews are grouped by provider and the type of service they offer, covering all 4 available internet technologies in Balsam.
Compare Providers Ranked by Coverage, Speed, and Customer Ratings
Spectrum
Connection
Customer Rating
Fiber
Cable
EarthLink
Connection
Customer Rating
DSL
Fixed Wireless
AT&T
Connection
Customer Rating
DSL
Fixed Wireless
Frontier
Connection
Customer Rating
DSL
Above are the top 4 providers in Balsam, NC for most people based on high speed internet coverage, speeds, and customer reviews. Click below to see all providers in your city.
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 Balsam ratings may vary and are shown below.
Who is the Best Internet Provider in Balsam, NC?
BalsamWest is the highest-rated internet provider in Balsam based on 268 North Carolina customer reviews, and BalsamWest has the highest rating nationwide. The provider information above and the information immediately below can help you decide. Compare provider ratings and review counts above. The chart and table below show average customer ratings from customers in Balsam, North Carolina, and customers throughout the country.
Top Rated Internet Providers in Balsam
Local, State, and National Ratings for all Balsam Internet Providers
| ISP / Tech Type | Balsam Overall | North Carolina Overall | National Overall | For Service | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spectrum | (1) | (186) | (1738) | View Plans | ||
| Skyrunner Internet | (0) | (1) | (1) | View Plans | ||
| BalsamWest | (0) | (2) | (2) | 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 | ||
| Optimum | (0) | (11) | (246) | View Plans | ||
| Frontier | (0) | (2) | (143) | View Plans | ||
| US Cellular | (0) | (0) | (15) | View Plans | ||
| HughesNet | (0) | (0) | (18) | View Plans | ||
| Viasat | (0) | (0) | (11) | View Plans | ||
| SkyFi | (0) | (0) | (0) | View Plans |
Based on 268 reviews from North Carolina internet customers, BalsamWest is the best internet service provider for Balsam residents. BalsamWest was rated at an average of 5.00 out of 5 in our report for overall customer satisfaction. Skyrunner Internet wins for second-place in North Carolina, with 5.00 out of 5 stars and 56.5% coverage in Balsam.
At a national level, based on 4117 national reviews for any of the providers listed above, BalsamWest is rated higher than any other provider, with a rating of 2.33 out of 5.
Which Providers are Available at my Home in Balsam?
a different provider.

Internet Availability Key
Speeds and coverage vary within the city, 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 Balsam?
According to unbiased feedback from real internet customers in the city, they reported being happiest with speeds provided by BalsamWest. On the other hand, based on data provided by the internet providers to the FCC, Spectrum and BalsamWest 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 Balsam
| ISP / Tech Type | Max Advertised Speed | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| BalsamWest | 1,000 Mbps | ||
| Spectrum | 1,000 Mbps | ||
| Optimum | 940 Mbps | ||
| Verizon | 300 Mbps | ||
| Frontier Communications | 115 Mbps | ||
| T-Mobile Home Internet | 100 Mbps | ||
| Viasat | 100 Mbps | ||
| SkyFi | 25 Mbps | ||
| Skyrunner Internet | 25 Mbps | ||
| AT&T | 25 Mbps | ||
| EarthLink | 25 Mbps | ||
| HughesNet | 25 Mbps | ||
| US Cellular | 25 Mbps |
Customer Ratings for Internet Provider Speeds in Balsam
| ISP / Tech Type | Balsam Speed | North Carolina Speed | National Speed | For Service | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spectrum | (1) | (186) | (1738) | View Plans | ||
| Skyrunner Internet | (0) | (1) | (1) | View Plans | ||
| BalsamWest | (0) | (2) | (2) | View Plans | ||
| EarthLink | (0) | (1) | (12) | View Plans | ||
| AT&T | (0) | (49) | (924) | View Plans | ||
| Optimum | (0) | (11) | (246) | View Plans | ||
| Verizon | (0) | (7) | (723) | View Plans | ||
| T-Mobile Home Internet | (0) | (9) | (284) | View Plans | ||
| Frontier | (0) | (2) | (143) | View Plans | ||
| US Cellular | (0) | (0) | (15) | View Plans | ||
| HughesNet | (0) | (0) | (18) | View Plans | ||
| Viasat | (0) | (0) | (11) | View Plans | ||
| SkyFi | (0) | (0) | (0) | View Plans |
Based on data reported by Balsam ISPs to the FCC, the fastest speeds in the city are available through Spectrum and BalsamWest. These internet providers offer speeds up to 1,000 Mbps in Balsam. 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 city rated their satisfaction with internet speed highest with BalsamWest. This indicates BalsamWest reliably delivers speeds expected by the customer based on the plan they are paying for.
Who is the Cheapest Internet Provider in Balsam?
North Carolina customers rate BalsamWest 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.
BalsamWest received a local rating of 5.00 out of 5, which is higher than the average across all internet providers in the country. Skyrunner Internet is rated in second place for affordability by the company’s Balsam customers with an average price rating of 5.00 out of 5.
The chart and graph below show how customers in Balsam, North Carolina, and the United States rated the affordability of their internet service.
Rated Affordability in Balsam
| ISP / Tech Type | Balsam Affordability | North Carolina Affordability | National Affordability | For Service | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spectrum | (1) | (186) | (1738) | View Plans | ||
| Skyrunner Internet | (0) | (1) | (1) | View Plans | ||
| BalsamWest | (0) | (2) | (2) | View Plans | ||
| T-Mobile Home Internet | (0) | (9) | (284) | View Plans | ||
| Frontier | (0) | (2) | (143) | View Plans | ||
| Verizon | (0) | (7) | (723) | View Plans | ||
| AT&T | (0) | (49) | (924) | View Plans | ||
| EarthLink | (0) | (1) | (12) | View Plans | ||
| Optimum | (0) | (11) | (246) | View Plans | ||
| US Cellular | (0) | (0) | (15) | View Plans | ||
| HughesNet | (0) | (0) | (18) | View Plans | ||
| Viasat | (0) | (0) | (11) | View Plans | ||
| SkyFi | (0) | (0) | (0) | View Plans |
Balsam 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 city 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 Balsam below, including the metrics used and how Balsam compares to the rest of North Carolina and nation.
| Metric
(hover for details)
|
Balsam | North Carolina | USA | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fiber Availability Percent The percentage of households in Balsam that have a Fiber internet connection available to their home. | 94.39% | 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. | 956 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 Balsam. | 8.7 | 7.0 | 6.8 |
| Average Household SizeA larger household size in a city indicates that there will be a greater need for bandwidth due to simultaneous usage, multiple devices, and network congestion. | 2.1 | 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. | 93% | 94% | 95% | ||
| Households with InternetA higher percentage of households with internet indicates a higher need for usage and connectivity in people’s daily lives. | 79% | 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. | 51% | 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. | 51% | 77% | 76% |
Our demographic data is sourced from the latest 5-year release of the American Community Survey by the US Census Bureau.
Balsam ISP Report Card & Digital Connectivity Index
The ISP Report Card in Balsam is B, which is worse than other cities. The local demand for broadband internet connectivity in Balsam is high with a score of 25 / 100 in our Digital Connectivity Index. This means that internet service providers operating in Balsam have done a poor job meeting the needs of its residents.
The Balsam ISP Report Card evaluates the city on availability and speed metrics compared to other cities in the United States. ISP Infrastructure can vary greatly and on its own isn’t a perfect measure of what a city 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.
79% of Balsam households have an internet connection despite having 100.00% availability. 51% of households have fiber, cable, or DSL, 13% have satellite, 0% are still on dial-up, and 2% 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 51% of households have a broadband connection such as fiber, cable or DSL available to their home, 51% subscribe to it. A low number of Balsam 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 Cities Compare to Balsam?
- ISP Report Card: C+
- Digital Connectivity Index: 53 / 100
- ISP Report Card: A-
- Digital Connectivity Index: 38 / 100
- ISP Report Card: B
- Digital Connectivity Index: 40 / 100
- ISP Report Card: C-
- Digital Connectivity Index: 21 / 100
- ISP Report Card: C+
- Digital Connectivity Index: 31 / 100
- ISP Report Card: C+
- Digital Connectivity Index: 51 / 100
- ISP Report Card: C
- Digital Connectivity Index: 62 / 100
- ISP Report Card: C-
- Digital Connectivity Index: 26 / 100
- ISP Report Card: B-
- Digital Connectivity Index: 25 / 100
How Much Speed does a Balsam Household Need?
Higher speed is typically preferred, but that comes at a higher price. The average size of a household in Balsam is 2.1, which is smaller than the North Carolina average of 2.5 and smaller than the national average of 2.7. Balsam's average household income is $74,358 which is higher than 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 higher incomes tend to indicate a fairly average device usage pattern.
Balsam also has 7% 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 Balsam has a very low need for internet connectivity and speeds.
Compared to the rest of the country, Balsam households are about average when it comes to technological engagement. 93% of households have some sort of computing device, 71% have desktops or laptops in the home, and 92% have smartphones. To see what speeds you are currently getting, please visit our internet speed test tool.
Which Fiber Internet Providers are Available in Balsam?
Spectrum Fiber in Balsam, NC
Spectrum offers Fiber service to 91.0% of Balsam homes. Across the city, Spectrum Fiber has speeds up to 1,000 Mbps
BalsamWest Fiber in Balsam, NC
BalsamWest offers Fiber service to 6.0% of Balsam homes. Across the city, BalsamWest Fiber is the only type of service available from the company, with speeds up to 1,000 Mbps
Which Cable Internet Providers are Available in Balsam?
Optimum Cable in Balsam, NC
Optimum offers Cable service to 34.5% of Balsam homes. Across the city, Optimum Cable is the only type of service available from the company, with speeds up to 940 Mbps
Spectrum Cable in Balsam, NC
Spectrum offers Cable service to 19.7% of Balsam homes. Across the city, Spectrum Cable has speeds up to 1,000 Mbps
Which DSL Internet Providers are Available in Balsam?
EarthLink DSL in Balsam, NC
EarthLink offers DSL service to 90.0% of Balsam homes. Across the city, EarthLink DSL has speeds up to 11 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 5.0, with an average of 1.2 Mbps throughout the city. EarthLink DSL is rated the same as other types of internet service available in Balsam from EarthLink in terms of customer satisfaction.
AT&T DSL in Balsam, NC
AT&T offers DSL service to 90.0% of Balsam homes. Across the city, AT&T DSL has speeds up to 11 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 5.0, with an average of 1.2 Mbps throughout the city. AT&T DSL is rated about the same as other types of internet service available in Balsam from AT&T in terms of customer satisfaction.
Frontier DSL in Balsam, NC
Frontier Communications offers DSL service to 49.7% of Balsam homes. Across the city, Frontier DSL is the only type of service available from the company, with speeds up to 78 Mbps, with speeds from 10 Mpbs up to 115 Mbps depending on the address. Upload speeds differ from download speeds, and are as low 1.0 and as high as 7.0, with an average of 4.7 Mbps throughout the city.
Which Fixed Wireless and LTE Internet Providers are Available in Balsam?
US Cellular Fixed Wireless in Balsam, NC
US Cellular offers Fixed Wireless service to 98.6% of Balsam homes. Across the city, US Cellular Fixed Wireless is the only type of service available from the company, with speeds up to 10 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 1.0 Mbps throughout the city.
T-Mobile Home Internet Fixed Wireless in Balsam, NC
T-Mobile Home Internet offers Fixed Wireless service to 93.0% of Balsam homes. Across the city, T-Mobile Home Internet Fixed Wireless is the only type of service available from the company, with speeds up to 76 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 15 Mbps throughout the city.
EarthLink Fixed Wireless in Balsam, NC
EarthLink offers Fixed Wireless service to 73.9% of Balsam homes. Across the city, EarthLink Fixed Wireless has speeds up to 25 Mbps
AT&T Fixed Wireless in Balsam, NC
AT&T offers Fixed Wireless service to 73.9% of Balsam homes. Across the city, AT&T Fixed Wireless has speeds up to 25 Mbps
Skyrunner Internet Fixed Wireless in Balsam, NC
Skyrunner Internet offers Fixed Wireless service to 56.5% of Balsam homes. Across the city, Skyrunner Internet Fixed Wireless is the only type of service available from the company, with speeds up to 25 Mbps
Verizon Fixed Wireless in Balsam, NC
Verizon offers Fixed Wireless service to 52.0% of Balsam homes. Across the city, Verizon Fixed Wireless is the only type of service available from the company, with speeds up to 300 Mbps
SkyFi Fixed Wireless in Balsam, NC
SkyFi offers Fixed Wireless service to 41.3% of Balsam homes. Across the city, SkyFi Fixed Wireless is the only type of service available from the company, with speeds up to 19 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 5.0, with an average of 3.4 Mbps throughout the city.
Which ISP Should You Choose in Balsam?
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 Balsam is BalsamWest.
- The fastest internet provider should be Spectrum and BalsamWest. Considering speed for the money and reliability in speeds, BalsamWest may be a better choice based on real-world local customer feedback.
- The most affordable internet provider in Balsam is BalsamWest.
- Viasat, US Cellular, and HughesNet has the broadest coverage in Balsam, 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 Balsam compare to other cities with a similar population?
To see how Balsam 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 Balsam's B ISP Report Card and 25 / 100 Digital Connectivity Index.
- ISP Report Card: B-
- Digital Connectivity Index: 39 / 100
- ISP Report Card: F
- Digital Connectivity Index: 40 / 100
- ISP Report Card: B+
- Digital Connectivity Index: 55 / 100
- ISP Report Card: D+
- Digital Connectivity Index: 26 / 100
- ISP Report Card: B-
- Digital Connectivity Index: 60 / 100
- ISP Report Card: A
- Digital Connectivity Index: 97 / 100
- ISP Report Card: C-
- Digital Connectivity Index: 48 / 100
- ISP Report Card: C-
- Digital Connectivity Index: 37 / 100
- ISP Report Card: D
- Digital Connectivity Index: 58 / 100
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