Best Internet Providers in Charleston, SC
All 12 providers, ranked by coverage, speed and customer ratings
Find internet availability by address in Charleston, SC
Charleston has 12 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 city. Reviews are grouped by provider and the type of service they offer, covering all 4 available internet technologies in Charleston.
Ranks compare Charleston with the 45 US major cities (500,000 to 999,999 people), the tiers of our fastest-cities rankings.
The Best Internet in Charleston, SC at a Glance
Charleston Internet Providers, Ranked by Coverage, Speed and Customer Ratings
XFINITY
Connection
Customer Rating
Fiber
Cable
EarthLink
Connection
Customer Rating
Fiber
DSL
Fixed Wireless
AT&T
Connection
Customer Rating
Fiber
DSL
Fixed Wireless
WOW!
Connection
Customer Rating
Cable
Providers with less than 1% coverage in this city are excluded from the list. To see if one of these providers is available at your home, please use the address search above.
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 Charleston ratings may vary and are shown below.
Who is the Best Internet Provider in Charleston, SC?
Spectrum is the highest-rated internet provider in Charleston based on 120 South Carolina customer reviews, and T-Mobile Home Internet 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.
or call 1-877-411-1381
Which Providers are Available at my Home in Charleston?
Coverage changes block by block. Pick a provider and a technology to see where its service reaches: the darker the area, the larger the share of homes it covers. For your exact address, use the address search above.
Coverage map for each provider in Charleston
- AT&T - fiber coverage map
- EarthLink - fiber coverage map
- XFINITY - cable coverage map
- Home Telecom - fiber coverage map
- WOW! - cable coverage map
- Spectrum - cable coverage map
- Verizon - fixed wireless coverage map
- Hotwire Communications - fiber coverage map
- Home Telecom - cable coverage map
- XFINITY - fiber coverage map
- T-Mobile Home Internet - fixed wireless coverage map
- Lumos Networks - fiber coverage map
- Spectrum - fiber coverage map
- AT&T - dsl coverage map
- EarthLink - dsl coverage map
- AT&T - fixed wireless coverage map
- EarthLink - fixed wireless coverage map
- PRTC - fiber coverage map
- TDS - dsl coverage map
How Charleston Compares to Places Its Size
Charleston's report card score is tied 24th of 45 and its connectivity index is tied 19th of 45.
| Measure | Charleston | Rank among US major cities (500,000 to 999,999 people) | Charleston County | South Carolina | US | Leader |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ISP Report Card inputs: what providers offer here | ||||||
| Fiber availability | 70.8% | 27th of 45 | 64.4% | 75.7% | 71.5% | Bridgeport, CT (97.3%) |
| Average top speed | 3,683 Mbps | 24th of 45 | 3,470 Mbps | 3,370 Mbps | 3,486 Mbps | Chattanooga, TN (17,261 Mbps) |
| Providers at a typical address | 7.5 | Tied 26th of 45 | 7.8 | 6.9 | 7.1 | Albuquerque, NM (9.7) |
| Connectivity index inputs: how much households need and use the internet | ||||||
| People per household | 2.5 | Tied 23rd of 45 | 2.4 | 2.5 | 2.7 | Provo, UT (3.5) |
| Workers who work from home | 16% | Tied 12th of 45 | 18% | 12% | 15% | Chapel Hill, NC (23%) |
| Homes with a computer, tablet or phone | 97% | Tied 5th of 45 | 97% | 95% | 96% | Provo, UT (99%) |
| Homes with internet | 91% | Tied 24th of 45 | 90% | 89% | 91% | Colorado Springs, CO and Ogden, UT (95%) |
| Homes on fiber, cable or DSL | 77% | Tied 23rd of 45 | 76% | 73% | 76% | Provo, UT (84%) |
| More about the households here | ||||||
| Homes with a desktop or laptop | 83% | Tied 12th of 45 | 82% | 77% | 81% | Provo, UT (94%) |
| Median household income | $95,068 | 15th of 45 | $100,111 | $77,367 | $93,246 | Bridgeport, CT ($136,343) |
| Residents in school (6th grade to college) | 15% | Tied 30th of 45 | 14% | 15% | 16% | Provo, UT (26%) |
Fiber reaches 70.8% of homes in Charleston, against 64.4% across Charleston County and 75.7% across South Carolina. Households in Charleston are smaller than the US average (2.5 people against 2.7); 16% of workers work from home (US 15%); and the median household income is $95,068 (US $93,246).
Our demographic data is sourced from the latest 5-year release of the American Community Survey by the US Census Bureau.
Fiber, 5G, Cable and DSL Internet in Charleston
Which Fiber Internet Providers are Available in Charleston?
EarthLink Fiber in Charleston, SC
Availability:
53.9%
Customer Rating:
(6)
Avg. Download Speed
4,295 Mbps
EarthLink offers Fiber service to 53.9% of Charleston homes. Across the city, EarthLink Fiber has speeds up to 4,295 Mbps, with speeds from 1,000 Mpbs up to 5,000 Mbps depending on the address. Upload speeds are symmetrical, meaning they are exactly the same as download speeds for EarthLink Fiber. EarthLink Fiber is rated about the same as other types of internet service available in Charleston from EarthLink in terms of customer satisfaction.
AT&T Fiber in Charleston, SC
Availability:
53.9%
Customer Rating:
(542)
Avg. Download Speed
4,295 Mbps
AT&T offers Fiber service to 53.9% of Charleston homes. Across the city, AT&T Fiber has speeds up to 4,295 Mbps, with speeds from 1,000 Mpbs up to 5,000 Mbps depending on the address. Upload speeds are symmetrical, meaning they are exactly the same as download speeds for AT&T Fiber. AT&T Fiber is rated lower than other types of internet service available in Charleston from AT&T in terms of customer satisfaction.
Home Telecom Fiber in Charleston, SC
Availability:
20.6%
Customer Rating:
(10)
Avg. Download Speed
5,000 Mbps
Home Telecom offers Fiber service to 20.6% of Charleston homes. Across the city, Home Telecom Fiber has speeds up to 5,000 Mbps
Spectrum Fiber in Charleston, SC
Availability:
5.0%
Customer Rating:
(207)
Avg. Download Speed
1,000 Mbps
Spectrum offers Fiber service to 5.0% of Charleston homes. Across the city, Spectrum Fiber has speeds up to 1,000 Mbps
XFINITY Fiber in Charleston, SC
Availability:
3.4%
Customer Rating:
(298)
Avg. Download Speed
1,819 Mbps
XFINITY from Comcast offers Fiber service to 3.4% of Charleston homes. Across the city, XFINITY Fiber has speeds up to 1,819 Mbps, with speeds from 1,200 Mpbs up to 2,000 Mbps depending on the address. Upload speeds differ from download speeds, and are as low 35 and as high as 2,000, with an average of 1,457 Mbps throughout the city. XFINITY Fiber is rated about the same as other types of internet service available in Charleston from XFINITY in terms of customer satisfaction.
PRTC Fiber in Charleston, SC
Availability:
2.3%
Customer Rating:
(3)
Avg. Download Speed
1,000 Mbps
Palmetto Rural Telephone Cooperative offers Fiber service to 2.3% of Charleston homes. Across the city, PRTC Fiber is the only type of service available from the company, with speeds up to 1,000 Mbps
Hotwire Communications Fiber in Charleston, SC
Availability:
1.8%
Customer Rating:
(11)
Avg. Download Speed
7,713 Mbps
Hotwire Communications offers Fiber service to 1.8% of Charleston homes. Across the city, Hotwire Communications Fiber is the only type of service available from the company, with speeds up to 7,713 Mbps, with speeds from 10 Mpbs up to 8,000 Mbps depending on the address. Upload speeds are symmetrical, meaning they are exactly the same as download speeds for Hotwire Communications Fiber.
Lumos Networks Fiber in Charleston, SC
Availability:
1.1%
Customer Rating:
(27)
Avg. Download Speed
5,000 Mbps
Lumos Networks offers Fiber service to 1.1% of Charleston homes. Across the city, Lumos Networks Fiber is the only type of service available from the company, with speeds up to 5,000 Mbps
Which Fixed Wireless and LTE Internet Providers are Available in Charleston?
T-Mobile Home Internet Fixed Wireless in Charleston, SC
Availability:
92.6%
Customer Rating:
(341)
Avg. Download Speed
63 Mbps
T-Mobile Home Internet offers Fixed Wireless service to 92.6% of Charleston homes. Across the city, T-Mobile Home Internet Fixed Wireless is the only type of service available from the company, with speeds up to 63 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 12 Mbps throughout the city.
Verizon Fixed Wireless in Charleston, SC
Availability:
86.8%
Customer Rating:
(362)
Avg. Download Speed
224 Mbps
Verizon offers Fixed Wireless service to 86.8% of Charleston homes. Across the city, Verizon Fixed Wireless is the only type of service available from the company, with speeds up to 224 Mbps, with speeds from 25 Mpbs up to 300 Mbps depending on the address. Upload speeds differ from download speeds, and are as low 6.0 and as high as 20, with an average of 16 Mbps throughout the city.
EarthLink Fixed Wireless in Charleston, SC
Availability:
74.1%
Customer Rating:
(4)
Avg. Download Speed
36 Mbps
EarthLink offers Fixed Wireless service to 74.1% of Charleston homes. Across the city, EarthLink Fixed Wireless has speeds up to 36 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 20, with an average of 5.5 Mbps throughout the city.
AT&T Fixed Wireless in Charleston, SC
Availability:
74.1%
Customer Rating:
(205)
Avg. Download Speed
36 Mbps
AT&T offers Fixed Wireless service to 74.1% of Charleston homes. Across the city, AT&T Fixed Wireless has speeds up to 36 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 20, with an average of 5.5 Mbps throughout the city.
Which Cable Internet Providers are Available in Charleston?
XFINITY Cable in Charleston, SC
Availability:
72.9%
Customer Rating:
(2074)
Avg. Download Speed
1,637 Mbps
XFINITY from Comcast offers Cable service to 72.9% of Charleston homes. Across the city, XFINITY Cable has speeds up to 1,637 Mbps, with speeds from 1,200 Mpbs up to 2,000 Mbps depending on the address. Upload speeds differ from download speeds, and are as low 35 and as high as 2,000, with an average of 166 Mbps throughout the city. XFINITY Cable is rated the same as other types of internet service available in Charleston from XFINITY in terms of customer satisfaction.
WOW! Cable in Charleston, SC
Availability:
40.6%
Customer Rating:
(31)
Avg. Download Speed
1,200 Mbps
WOW! offers Cable service to 40.6% of Charleston homes. Across the city, WOW! Cable is the only type of service available from the company, with speeds up to 1,200 Mbps
Spectrum Cable in Charleston, SC
Availability:
24.9%
Customer Rating:
(1738)
Avg. Download Speed
1,000 Mbps
Spectrum offers Cable service to 24.9% of Charleston homes. Across the city, Spectrum Cable has speeds up to 1,000 Mbps
Home Telecom Cable in Charleston, SC
Availability:
4.3%
Customer Rating:
(3)
Avg. Download Speed
2,000 Mbps
Home Telecom offers Cable service to 4.3% of Charleston homes. Across the city, Home Telecom Cable has speeds up to 2,000 Mbps
Which DSL Internet Providers are Available in Charleston?
EarthLink DSL in Charleston, SC
Availability:
62.8%
Customer Rating:
(5)
Avg. Download Speed
68 Mbps
EarthLink offers DSL service to 62.8% of Charleston homes. Across the city, EarthLink DSL has speeds up to 68 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 20, with an average of 14 Mbps throughout the city. EarthLink DSL is rated higher than other types of internet service available in Charleston from EarthLink in terms of customer satisfaction.
AT&T DSL in Charleston, SC
Availability:
62.8%
Customer Rating:
(304)
Avg. Download Speed
68 Mbps
AT&T offers DSL service to 62.8% of Charleston homes. Across the city, AT&T DSL has speeds up to 68 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 20, with an average of 14 Mbps throughout the city. AT&T DSL is rated about the same as other types of internet service available in Charleston from AT&T in terms of customer satisfaction.
TDS DSL in Charleston, SC
Availability:
1.8%
Customer Rating:
(7)
Avg. Download Speed
36 Mbps
TDS offers DSL service to 1.8% of Charleston homes. Across the city, TDS DSL is the only type of service available from the company, with speeds up to 36 Mbps, with speeds from 10 Mpbs up to 50 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 7.1 Mbps throughout the city.
Internet in Charleston by Neighborhood and ZIP Code
Fiber reaches from 21.9% of homes in Charleston Historic District to 99.8% in Daniel Island; by ZIP code, from 26.3% in 29401 to 94.7% in 29492. Each row links to that place’s page.
Neighborhoods in Charleston
| Neighborhood | People | Homes with fiber | Average top speed | Providers at a typical address | Report card | Connectivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daniel Island | 11,136 | 99.8% | 5,000 Mbps | 6.9 | A- | 63/100 |
| Boltons Landing | 3,659 | 88.6% | 4,596 Mbps | 8.2 | A- | 77/100 |
| Charleston Historic District | 3,436 | 21.9% | 2,407 Mbps | 6.7 | C+ | 72/100 |
ZIP codes in Charleston
| ZIP code | People | Homes with fiber | Average top speed | Providers at a typical address | Report card | Connectivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29414 | 44,816 | 69.5% | 3,496 Mbps | 8.1 | B | 77/100 |
| 29412 | 39,686 | 81.0% | 4,405 Mbps | 8.7 | B+ | 67/100 |
| 29407 | 35,432 | 46.2% | 3,153 Mbps | 8.5 | B | 59/100 |
| 29403 | 21,340 | 45.9% | 3,282 Mbps | 7.8 | B | 57/100 |
| 29492 | 19,600 | 94.7% | 4,820 Mbps | 6.8 | B+ | 65/100 |
| 29401 | 8,974 | 26.3% | 2,235 Mbps | 7 | B- | 71/100 |
| 29409 | 2,079 | 9.3% | 5,000 Mbps | 9.9 | B | 83/100 |
How Charleston Compares to Nearby Places
The 10 places nearest to Charleston that have their own pages are all within 11 miles. Among them, Sullivans Island has the most homes with fiber (100.0%) and Folly Beach the fewest (5.8%); Charleston has 70.8%.
| Place | People | Homes with fiber | Average top speed | Providers at a typical address | Report card | Connectivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston metro area (this page) | 799,636 | 70.8% | 3,683 Mbps | 7.5 | B | 68/100 |
| North Charleston | 104,480 | 52.2% | 3,267 Mbps | 8.1 | B | 51/100 |
| Mount Pleasant | 91,493 | 82.1% | 3,820 Mbps | 7.9 | B+ | 64/100 |
| Johns Island | 22,323 | 65.8% | 3,443 Mbps | 7.1 | B | 77/100 |
| Hanahan | 20,382 | 76.6% | 4,008 Mbps | 8.2 | B+ | 72/100 |
| Charleston Afb | 3,458 | 28.6% | 3,236 Mbps | 8.7 | B | 70/100 |
| Sullivans Island | 2,665 | 100.0% | 5,000 Mbps | 8.3 | A | 69/100 |
| Folly Beach | 2,223 | 5.8% | 2,117 Mbps | 6.5 | C+ | 81/100 |
| Fenwick Hills | 975 | 100.0% | 5,000 Mbps | 8.8 | A | 80/100 |
| Legareville | 431 | 3.2% | 1,226 Mbps | 6 | C | 64/100 |
| Red Top | 410 | 20.5% | 1,609 Mbps | 5.4 | C | 69/100 |
Who is the Fastest Internet Provider in Charleston?
According to unbiased feedback from real internet customers, they reported being happiest with speeds provided by Spectrum. On the other hand, based on data provided by the internet providers to the FCC, AT&T and EarthLink 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 Charleston
| TDS | 8,000 |
|---|---|
| Hotwire Communications | 8,000 |
| AT&T | 5,000 |
| EarthLink | 5,000 |
| Home Telecom | 5,000 |
| Lumos Networks | 5,000 |
| XFINITY from Comcast | 2,000 |
| WOW! | 1,200 |
| Spectrum | 1,000 |
| Palmetto Rural Telephone Cooperative | 1,000 |
| Verizon | 300 |
| T-Mobile Home Internet | 100 |
| Viasat | 100 |
| HughesNet | 25 |
How fast is your internet?
Test your connection here and see it next to the speeds providers advertise in Charleston. It takes about 20 seconds and, on a fast line, can move a few hundred MB of data.
Customer Ratings for Charleston Internet Providers
Based on 120 reviews from South Carolina internet customers, Spectrum is the best internet service provider for Charleston residents. Spectrum was rated at an average of 3.33 out of 5 in our report for overall customer satisfaction. XFINITY from Comcast wins for second-place in South Carolina, with 3.75 out of 5 stars and 74.2% coverage in Charleston.
At a national level, based on 6675 national reviews for any of the providers listed above, T-Mobile Home Internet is rated higher than any other provider, with a rating of 4.01 out of 5.
Local, State, and National Ratings for all Charleston Internet Providers
The table below shows average customer ratings from customers in Charleston, South Carolina, and customers throughout the country.
| ISP / Tech Type | Charleston Overall | South Carolina Overall | National Overall | For Service | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| XFINITY | (4) | (12) | (2374) | View Plans | ||
| EarthLink |  (0) |  (1) | (15) | View Plans | ||
| Home Telecom | (0) | (11) | (13) | View Plans | ||
| Lumos Networks | (0) | (1) | (28) | View Plans | ||
| PRTC | (0) | (1) | (3) | View Plans | ||
| Spectrum | (0) | (55) | (1948) | View Plans | ||
| T-Mobile Home Internet | (0) | (5) | (341) | View Plans | ||
| Verizon | (0) |  (11) | (815) | View Plans | ||
| WOW! | (0) |  (1) | (33) | View Plans | ||
| AT&T | (2) | (22) | (1051) | View Plans | ||
| Hotwire Communications | (0) | (0) | (15) | View Plans | ||
| TDS | (0) | (0) | (39) | View Plans | ||
| HughesNet | (0) | (0) |  (25) | View Plans | ||
| Viasat | (0) | (0) |  (12) | View Plans |
Customer Ratings for Internet Provider Speeds in Charleston
Based on data reported by Charleston ISPs to the FCC, the fastest speeds in the city are available through AT&T and EarthLink. These internet providers offer speeds up to 5,000 Mbps in Charleston. Therefore, the average customer can get up to 2,645 Mbps if they’re willing to purchase the fastest subscription tier available at their homes.
However, actual customers rated their satisfaction with internet speed highest with Spectrum. This indicates Spectrum reliably delivers speeds expected by the customer based on the plan they are paying for.
| ISP / Tech Type | Charleston Speed | South Carolina Speed | National Speed | For Service | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| XFINITY | (4) | (12) | (2374) | View Plans | ||
| EarthLink | (0) | (1) | (15) | View Plans | ||
| Home Telecom | (0) | (11) | (13) | View Plans | ||
| Lumos Networks | (0) | (1) | (28) | View Plans | ||
| PRTC | (0) | (1) | (3) | View Plans | ||
| Spectrum | (0) | (55) | (1948) | View Plans | ||
| T-Mobile Home Internet | (0) | (5) | (341) | View Plans | ||
| Verizon | (0) | (11) | (815) | View Plans | ||
| WOW! | (0) | (1) | (33) | View Plans | ||
| AT&T | (2) | (22) | (1051) | View Plans | ||
| Hotwire Communications | (0) | (0) | (15) | View Plans | ||
| TDS | (0) | (0) | (39) | View Plans | ||
| HughesNet | (0) | (0) | (25) | View Plans | ||
| Viasat | (0) | (0) | (12) | View Plans |
Who is the Cheapest Internet Provider in Charleston?
Of the providers in Charleston, customers rate Spectrum the best for price. Data comes from customers rating their satisfaction with pricing: in Charleston where enough of them have reviewed a provider, otherwise across South Carolina or the country. This feedback is valuable because it considers price changes and whether the speeds paid for are worth it.
Spectrum is rated 2.89 out of 5 for price, which is much lower than the average across all internet providers in the country. XFINITY from Comcast is rated second for affordability, with an average price rating of 4.00 out of 5.
The table below shows how customers in Charleston, South Carolina, and the United States rated the affordability of their internet service.
Rated Affordability in Charleston
| ISP / Tech Type | Charleston Affordability | South Carolina Affordability | National Affordability | For Service | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| XFINITY | (4) | (12) | (2374) | View Plans | ||
| EarthLink | (0) | (1) | (15) | View Plans | ||
| Home Telecom | (0) | (11) | (13) | View Plans | ||
| Lumos Networks | (0) | (1) | (28) | View Plans | ||
| PRTC | (0) | (1) | (3) | View Plans | ||
| Spectrum | (0) | (55) | (1948) | View Plans | ||
| T-Mobile Home Internet | (0) | (5) | (341) | View Plans | ||
| Verizon | (0) | (11) | (815) | View Plans | ||
| WOW! | (0) | (1) | (33) | View Plans | ||
| AT&T | (2) | (22) | (1051) | View Plans | ||
| Hotwire Communications | (0) | (0) | (15) | View Plans | ||
| TDS | (0) | (0) | (39) | View Plans | ||
| HughesNet | (0) | (0) | (25) | View Plans | ||
| Viasat | (0) | (0) | (12) | View Plans |
Customer Reviews for Internet Service Providers in South Carolina
Customer Reviews
Lataysia R.
XFINITY Cable
June 12, 2026 The price of my family’s internet connection is really cheap. It is around $20 per month and we have been with this provider for at least 10 years. However, there has been a decline in the presence of this company and they appear to be losing lots of customers. There is always some WiFi connection issue almost everyday, but it is minor. My phone may lose connection but my MacBook, iPad, and TV is still connected. Overall, for the price and in comparison to other WiFi providers, I am overall satisfied with my internet.
Eleanor A.
XFINITY Cable
September 30, 2023 Overall the internet speed is great, but getting in touch with customer service representative is difficult meaning it's hard to bypass automated system, I do wish it was cheaper since internet really is a necessity at this point.
A Charleston, SC Customer
XFINITY Cable
April 29, 2023 A Charleston, SC Customer
XFINITY Cable
March 19, 2023 A Charleston, SC Customer
AT&T DSL
March 05, 2023 Rate your provider
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Which ISP Should You Choose in Charleston?
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 Charleston is Spectrum.
- The fastest internet provider should be AT&T and EarthLink. Considering speed for the money and reliability in speeds, Spectrum may be a better choice based on real-world local customer feedback.
- The most affordable internet provider in Charleston is Spectrum.
- Viasat, T-Mobile Home Internet, and HughesNet has the broadest coverage in Charleston, available to 92.6% of homes, and is most likely to cover your home. To find out exactly what’s available at your home, please use our address search tool.