Hickory, NC Internet
Internet Providers in Hickory, NC
Compare every internet provider in Hickory, NC: coverage from FCC filings, plan prices checked monthly, and an address check for your street.
The 30-Second Verdict
UpdatedSpectrum is the best overall, with cable speeds up to 1,000 Mbps reaching about 87% of Hickory. If Metronet Holdings reaches your address, it is the faster choice, with fiber speeds up to 5,120 Mbps reaching about 24% of the city. Brightspeed is the safe fallback where Spectrum does not reach, mostly using DSL, with its overall footprint covering about 73% of the city and common DSL speeds up to 80 Mbps reaching about 11%.
The ZIP picture is more varied: Spectrum leads Viewmont in 28601 at about 52%, while Metronet reaches about 43% there. Around Catawba Valley Community College in 28602, Spectrum covers about 58%, and Metronet reaches about 31%, a useful distinction for students and apartments. ZIP 28603 flips the script, with Metronet leading at about 62% and Spectrum at about 22%, making it the strongest local pocket for fiber. That pattern matters in Kenworth, Highland, and Mountain View too, where older copper infrastructure can still affect availability and students at Lenoir-Rhyne University or Catawba Valley Community College need dependable service for Zoom, streaming, and gaming. Fixed wireless options are worth checking when wired service misses, but coverage changes street by street, so confirm the exact address before choosing.
Best Internet Providers in Hickory, NC
Best plan here: Internet Gig 1 Gig — faster than 79% of all internet options in North Carolina
- Internet Gig 1 Gig$60/mo for 12 months (new residential customers only (no Spectrum service in past 30 days); limited-time offer; not available in all areas)Cable1,000 MbpsDownload79Our score$60Per month
- Internet Premier 500 Mbps$40/mo for 12 months (new residential customers only (no Spectrum service in past 30 days); limited-time offer; not available in all areas)Cable500 MbpsDownload76Our score$40Per month
- Internet 100$30/mo for 12 months (new residential customers only (no Spectrum service in past 30 days); limited-time offer; not available in all areas)Cable100 MbpsDownload21Our score$30Per month
Source: Spectrum official site · checked monthly · availability varies by address
SPEED SCORE
Mid-pack advertised speed for the state
This plan’s advertised maximum download ranks around the middle of every option filed with the FCC in this state. It is not a measured speed.
The Speed Score is the percentile of this plan’s maximum advertised download speed among every internet option filed with the FCC in this state. It is not a measured speed test: actual throughput varies by address, wiring and time of day. Enter your full address to see which plans are serviceable at your home.
EST. CAPABILITIES
Excellent
Good
Good
Good
THE TAKEAWAY
Our recommendation for Hickory
Spectrum’s headline Speed Score of 79/100 comes from cable service with up to 1,000 Mbps download and 35 Mbps upload, enough for busy households, streaming, gaming, and work from home, and it is above Hickory’s city average of 52. Cable makes Spectrum a solid, reliable choice, with the Internet Gig plan available to about 87% of the city. Availability and plan options depend on your exact address, so confirm that the 1,000 Mbps tier reaches your home before choosing it.
Speeds and reach below are what the provider files with the FCC for each technology tier, by census block. The plans it actually sells here, with their own speeds and prices, are under Pricing & Plans; the two can differ.
About Spectrum
Spectrum’s cable service offers up to 1000 Mbps download and 35 Mbps upload, which is plenty for households with multiple 4K streams, gaming, video calls, and work from home. Cable is an excellent option for most needs, but availability reaches only about 87% of Hickory for these plans, so check your address because the 500 Mbps and 100 Mbps alternatives may be the only Spectrum choices in some locations.
Available Plans
Cable
Fiber
Speed Score: Faster than 98% of all internet options in North Carolina
SPEED SCORE
Among the fastest advertised speeds in the state
This plan’s advertised maximum download ranks near the top of every option filed with the FCC in this state. It is not a measured speed.
The Speed Score is the percentile of this plan’s maximum advertised download speed among every internet option filed with the FCC in this state. It is not a measured speed test: actual throughput varies by address, wiring and time of day. Enter your full address to see which plans are serviceable at your home.
EST. CAPABILITIES
Excellent
Excellent
Excellent
Excellent
THE TAKEAWAY
Our recommendation for Hickory
Homes with heavy streaming, gaming, remote work, or multiple connected users are well suited to Metronet Holdings’ fiber, an excellent choice with up to 5120 Mbps download and 5120 Mbps upload speeds and a 98/100 Speed Score. This symmetrical plan is available to 24.5% of Hickory, so verify that fiber service reaches your specific address before choosing it.
Speeds and reach below are what the provider files with the FCC for each technology tier, by census block. The plans it actually sells here, with their own speeds and prices, are under Pricing & Plans; the two can differ.
About Metronet Holdings
Metronet Holdings is a strong fit for households that need excellent performance for streaming, gaming, remote work, or multiple connected devices, with fiber offering up to 5,120 Mbps both ways. That fiber option reaches about 25% of Hickory, so availability is highly address-dependent and worth checking before choosing another provider.
Available Plans
Fiber
Best plan here: Brightspeed Internet up to 100 Mbps — slower than 79% of all internet options in North Carolina
- Brightspeed Internet up to 100 Mbps$65/mo for 12 months (qualifying Fiber Brightspeed customers; new customers for reward card) · $250 Reward CardDSL100 MbpsDownload21Our score$65Per month
Source: Brightspeed official site · checked monthly · availability varies by address
SPEED SCORE
Below-average advertised speed for the state
This plan’s advertised maximum download ranks below most options filed with the FCC in this state. It is not a measured speed; faster plans are usually listed here.
The Speed Score is the percentile of this plan’s maximum advertised download speed among every internet option filed with the FCC in this state. It is not a measured speed test: actual throughput varies by address, wiring and time of day. Enter your full address to see which plans are serviceable at your home.
EST. CAPABILITIES
Adequate
Poor
Poor
Poor
THE TAKEAWAY
Our recommendation for Hickory
Brightspeed’s up to 100 Mbps download and 50 Mbps upload can handle basic browsing, streaming, and smaller households, but its 21/100 Speed Score is below Hickory’s city average of 52. As a DSL plan, it offers limited performance compared with alternatives, so consider checking other providers first. This plan is available to about 3% of Hickory, and Brightspeed’s technology options vary by address, so the best connection may not be available at yours.
Speeds and reach below are what the provider files with the FCC for each technology tier, by census block. The plans it actually sells here, with their own speeds and prices, are under Pricing & Plans; the two can differ.
About Brightspeed
Up to 100 Mbps download and 50 Mbps upload is suitable for basic browsing, email, streaming, and lighter household use, but it may feel limited for busy homes or heavy uploads. Brightspeed’s DSL option is below average, with a 21/100 Speed Score, and is available to about 3% of Hickory, so check your address for faster internet first rather than assuming this is your best choice.
Available Plans
Copper
Copper
Copper
Copper
Copper
Fiber
Fiber
Fiber
Best plan here: AT&T Internet Air 300 Mbps — faster than 71% of all internet options in North Carolina
Badge = fastest plan reaching at least 5% of the city. AT&T Internet 5 GIG speed scores higher but reaches ~2%.
- AT&T Internet 5 GIG speed$90/mo for 12 months (new AT&T Fiber customers; up to $30 discount applies for 12 months on 1Gb+ plans) · $150 Visa reward cardFiber5,000 MbpsDownload95Our score$90Per month
- AT&T Fiber 1 GIG speed$50/mo for 12 months (new AT&T Fiber customers; up to $30 off for 12 months; full plan cost due until discount starts within 3 bills) · $150 Visa reward cardFiber1,000 MbpsDownload79Our score$50Per month
- AT&T Fiber 500Mbps$50/mo for 12 months (new AT&T Fiber customers, $15/mo discount for 12 months applies after up to 3 bill cycles) · $100 Visa reward cardFiber500 MbpsDownload76Our score$50Per month
- AT&T Internet Air 300 Mbps$40/mo for 12 months (new customers, no annual contract, AutoPay eligible for additional $5/mo discount)Fixed Wireless300 MbpsDownload71Our score$40Per month
- AT&T Fiber 300Mbps$35/mo for 12 months (new customers, with AutoPay & paperless bill discount, wired connection to gateway) · $200 AT&T Visa Reward CardFiber300 MbpsDownload71Our score$35Per month
Source: AT&T official site · checked monthly · availability varies by address
SPEED SCORE
Mid-pack advertised speed for the state
This plan’s advertised maximum download ranks around the middle of every option filed with the FCC in this state. It is not a measured speed.
The Speed Score is the percentile of this plan’s maximum advertised download speed among every internet option filed with the FCC in this state. It is not a measured speed test: actual throughput varies by address, wiring and time of day. Enter your full address to see which plans are serviceable at your home.
EST. CAPABILITIES
Good
Adequate
Adequate
Good
THE TAKEAWAY
Our recommendation for Hickory
At $35/mo for 12 months, AT&T Fiber 300Mbps is a strong value, offering up to 300 Mbps both ways with a Speed Score of 71/100 and a $200 reward card. Its fiber connection is an excellent choice and its score is above Hickory’s city average, but this plan is available to only about 2% of the city, so your address determines whether you can get fiber or must consider Internet Air’s fixed-wireless service instead.
Speeds and reach below are what the provider files with the FCC for each technology tier, by census block. The plans it actually sells here, with their own speeds and prices, are under Pricing & Plans; the two can differ.
About AT&T
AT&T offers strong value where its fiber plans are available, including up to 5,000 Mbps both ways for $90 per month, while the $35 per month 300 Mbps fiber plan offers a lower-cost option with up to 300 Mbps both ways. Fiber availability is limited to about 2% of Hickory, so address-dependent access matters, and AT&T Internet Air reaches about 26% with up to 300 Mbps download and 30 Mbps upload for $40 per month, which is adequate but may be less reliable for demanding modern use.
Available Plans
Licensed Fixed Wireless
Copper
Copper
Copper
Fiber
Copper
Copper
Licensed Fixed Wireless
Fiber
Best plan here: 5G Home — faster than 71% of all internet options in North Carolina
- 5G Home$60/mo for 12 months (w/ Auto Pay & postpaid mobile unlimited plan that includes 5G Ultra Wideband; requires bundle)5G Fixed Wireless300 MbpsDownload71Our score$60Per month
Source: Verizon official site · checked monthly · availability varies by address
SPEED SCORE
Mid-pack advertised speed for the state
This plan’s advertised maximum download ranks around the middle of every option filed with the FCC in this state. It is not a measured speed.
The Speed Score is the percentile of this plan’s maximum advertised download speed among every internet option filed with the FCC in this state. It is not a measured speed test: actual throughput varies by address, wiring and time of day. Enter your full address to see which plans are serviceable at your home.
EST. CAPABILITIES
Good
Adequate
Adequate
Good
THE TAKEAWAY
Our recommendation for Hickory
Verizon’s 5G fixed wireless connection supports everyday streaming, video calls, and work with up to 300 Mbps download and 75 Mbps upload, earning a Speed Score of 71/100, above Hickory’s city average of 52. Fixed wireless can be more variable than wired connections, and this plan reaches 37.2% of Hickory, so confirm that 5G Home is available at your address before signing up.
Speeds and reach below are what the provider files with the FCC for each technology tier, by census block. The plans it actually sells here, with their own speeds and prices, are under Pricing & Plans; the two can differ.
About Verizon
Verizon’s 5G fixed wireless service offers up to 300 Mbps download and 75 Mbps upload, which is good for streaming, video calls, and everyday connected-home use, though performance can vary with wireless conditions. This option is available to about 37% of Hickory, so check your address first, especially since the $60 monthly price for 12 months requires Auto Pay and a qualifying postpaid unlimited mobile plan.
Available Plans
Licensed Fixed Wireless
Licensed Fixed Wireless
Best plan here: T-Mobile Amplified Home Internet 500 Mbps — faster than 76% of all internet options in North Carolina
- T-Mobile Amplified Home Internet 500 Mbps$45/mo for 12 months, then $60/mo (new Internet line, qualifying credit, postpaid voice line required; requires bundle) · $200 virtual prepaid MastercardFixed Wireless500 MbpsDownload76Our score$45Per month
- T-Mobile All-In Home Internet 500 Mbps$55/mo for 12 months, then $70/mo (new Internet line, qualifying credit, postpaid voice line required; requires bundle) · $200 virtual prepaid MastercardFixed Wireless500 MbpsDownload76Our score$55Per month
- T-Mobile Rely Home Internet 400 Mbps$35/mo for 12 months, then $50/mo (qualifying credit, postpaid voice line, and new Internet line required; requires bundle) · $200 virtual prepaid MastercardFixed Wireless400 MbpsDownload76Our score$35Per month
Source: T-Mobile official site · checked monthly · availability varies by address
SPEED SCORE
Mid-pack advertised speed for the state
This plan’s advertised maximum download ranks around the middle of every option filed with the FCC in this state. It is not a measured speed.
The Speed Score is the percentile of this plan’s maximum advertised download speed among every internet option filed with the FCC in this state. It is not a measured speed test: actual throughput varies by address, wiring and time of day. Enter your full address to see which plans are serviceable at your home.
EST. CAPABILITIES
Good
Adequate
Adequate
Good
THE TAKEAWAY
Our recommendation for Hickory
Budget-conscious households that need solid everyday performance can consider T-Mobile’s fixed wireless plans, offering up to 400 or 500 Mbps download and 50 or 60 Mbps upload with a 76/100 Speed Score, above the city average of 52. Fixed wireless can be more variable than wired service, and these plans are available to about 52% of Hickory, so confirm the exact address before signing up.
Speeds and reach below are what the provider files with the FCC for each technology tier, by census block. The plans it actually sells here, with their own speeds and prices, are under Pricing & Plans; the two can differ.
About T-Mobile
T-Mobile is a practical fit for households that want solid everyday service, with fixed wireless plans offering up to 500 Mbps download and a Speed Score of 76/100. The best value is address-dependent, since these plans are available to about 52% of Hickory, and fixed wireless can be less consistent than fiber or cable, so check your address and compare faster wired options first if available.
Available Plans
Licensed Fixed Wireless
Licensed Fixed Wireless
Carolina West Wireless
Speeds up to 25 Mbps
Plans start at $50 /mo *
Speed Score: Slower than 94% of all internet options in North Carolina
SPEED SCORE
Below-average advertised speed for the state
This plan’s advertised maximum download ranks below most options filed with the FCC in this state. It is not a measured speed; faster plans are usually listed here.
The Speed Score is the percentile of this plan’s maximum advertised download speed among every internet option filed with the FCC in this state. It is not a measured speed test: actual throughput varies by address, wiring and time of day. Enter your full address to see which plans are serviceable at your home.
EST. CAPABILITIES
Adequate
Poor
Adequate
Poor
THE TAKEAWAY
Our recommendation for Hickory
At its monthly price, this plan buys up to 25 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload, but its Speed Score of 6/100 reflects limited performance compared with alternatives. Carolina West Wireless uses fixed wireless here, which can be adequate for basic browsing but may struggle with streaming, multiple users, and demanding online activities. This plan covers 86.7% of Hickory, so check what is available at your specific address and consider checking other providers first.
Speeds and reach below are what the provider files with the FCC for each technology tier, by census block. The plans it actually sells here, with their own speeds and prices, are under Pricing & Plans; the two can differ.
About Carolina West Wireless
At the current quoted monthly price, Carolina West Wireless offers a basic value with licensed fixed wireless speeds of up to 25 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload, reflected in its low Speed Score of 6/100. This may work for light browsing and limited streaming, but fixed wireless can be less reliable for busy households, so check whether a faster fiber or cable option is available at your address before choosing it.
Available Plans
Licensed Fixed Wireless
OpenBroadband LLC
Speeds up to 100 Mbps
Plans start at $49.95 /mo *
Speed Score: Slower than 79% of all internet options in North Carolina
SPEED SCORE
Below-average advertised speed for the state
This plan’s advertised maximum download ranks below most options filed with the FCC in this state. It is not a measured speed; faster plans are usually listed here.
The Speed Score is the percentile of this plan’s maximum advertised download speed among every internet option filed with the FCC in this state. It is not a measured speed test: actual throughput varies by address, wiring and time of day. Enter your full address to see which plans are serviceable at your home.
EST. CAPABILITIES
Good
Adequate
Adequate
Adequate
THE TAKEAWAY
Our recommendation for Hickory
Households needing basic browsing, email, and light streaming may find OpenBroadband LLC’s fixed wireless plan workable, with up to 100 Mbps download and 10 Mbps upload, but its 21/100 Speed Score indicates limited performance compared with alternatives. The plan is shown across 13.7% of Hickory, so check availability at your address and consider checking other providers first if your household needs consistently stronger performance.
Speeds and reach below are what the provider files with the FCC for each technology tier, by census block. The plans it actually sells here, with their own speeds and prices, are under Pricing & Plans; the two can differ.
About OpenBroadband LLC
OpenBroadband LLC may suit a small household that mainly browses the web, checks email, and streams occasionally, with fixed wireless service offering up to 100 Mbps download and 10 Mbps upload. Its fixed wireless plan reaches about 14% of Hickory, so availability is address-dependent, and the below-average Speed Score of 21 suggests you should check for faster fiber or cable options before choosing it, especially for multiple users, frequent streaming, gaming, or work from home.
Available Plans
Lbr Fixed Wireless
Best plan here: Residential Max 400 Mbps — faster than 76% of all internet options in North Carolina
- Residential Max 400 MbpsSatellite400 MbpsDownload76Our score$130Per month
- Residential 200 MbpsSatellite200 MbpsDownload57Our score$85Per month
- Residential 100 MbpsSatellite100 MbpsDownload21Our score$55Per month
Source: Starlink official site · checked monthly · availability varies by address
SPEED SCORE
Mid-pack advertised speed for the state
This plan’s advertised maximum download ranks around the middle of every option filed with the FCC in this state. It is not a measured speed.
The Speed Score is the percentile of this plan’s maximum advertised download speed among every internet option filed with the FCC in this state. It is not a measured speed test: actual throughput varies by address, wiring and time of day. Enter your full address to see which plans are serviceable at your home.
EST. CAPABILITIES
Adequate
Poor
Poor
Adequate
THE TAKEAWAY
Our recommendation for Hickory
Satellite service offers broad reach and the Residential Max plan provides up to 400 Mbps download and 40 Mbps upload, though satellite latency can be more noticeable for gaming and real-time calls than wired connections. Its 76/100 Speed Score is above Hickory’s city average of 52, making it a competitive option, and this plan is listed as available to 100.0% of the city. Confirm your exact address and expected performance before choosing, especially if lower latency is important to you.
Speeds and reach below are what the provider files with the FCC for each technology tier, by census block. The plans it actually sells here, with their own speeds and prices, are under Pricing & Plans; the two can differ.
About Starlink
Starlink uses satellite internet, offering up to 400 Mbps download and up to 40 Mbps upload for everyday streaming, video calls, and browsing, though satellite connections can have higher latency than wired service. Its Residential Max 400 Mbps plan is a good option where faster fiber or cable is unavailable, and it is available to about 100% of Hickory, but check your address for faster wired options first because satellite may be less responsive for gaming and other latency-sensitive use.
Available Plans
Ngso Satellite
Best plan here: Fusion — slower than 79% of all internet options in North Carolina
- Fusion$94.99/mo for the first 12 months, then $119.99/moSatellite100 MbpsDownload21Our score$94.99Per month
- Select$49.99/mo for the first 12 months, then $74.99/moSatellite50 MbpsDownload16Our score$49.99Per month
- Lite$39.99/mo for the first 12 months, then $49.99/moSatellite25 MbpsDownload6Our score$39.99Per month
Source: HughesNet official site · checked monthly · availability varies by address
SPEED SCORE
Below-average advertised speed for the state
This plan’s advertised maximum download ranks below most options filed with the FCC in this state. It is not a measured speed; faster plans are usually listed here.
The Speed Score is the percentile of this plan’s maximum advertised download speed among every internet option filed with the FCC in this state. It is not a measured speed test: actual throughput varies by address, wiring and time of day. Enter your full address to see which plans are serviceable at your home.
EST. CAPABILITIES
Poor
Poor
Poor
Poor
THE TAKEAWAY
Our recommendation for Hickory
At $94.99/mo for the first 12 months, then $119.99/mo, Fusion buys up to 100 Mbps down and 5 Mbps up, a relatively limited value for a satellite connection. Its Speed Score is 21/100, below the city average of 52, while the lower-priced Select and Lite plans offer up to 50/5 and 25/3 Mbps. Fusion is available to 100.0% of Hickory, but satellite latency and performance limitations make it worth checking what other technologies reach your specific address first.
Speeds and reach below are what the provider files with the FCC for each technology tier, by census block. The plans it actually sells here, with their own speeds and prices, are under Pricing & Plans; the two can differ.
About HughesNet
At $39.99 to $94.99 per month for the first 12 months, HughesNet offers up to 25 to 100 Mbps download speeds, but satellite service is limited by higher latency and below-average performance, so you should check for faster cable or fiber options first. Its plans are available to about 100% of Hickory, making it a widely available fallback for basic browsing and lighter use, though the ongoing prices rise to $49.99 to $119.99 per month and may not be sufficient for demanding modern needs.
Available Plans
Gso Satellite
Best plan here: Viasat Essentials — slower than 81% of all internet options in North Carolina
- Viasat EssentialsSatellite55 MbpsDownload19Our score$69.99Per month
- Viasat UnleashedSatellite34 MbpsDownload15Our score$99.99Per month
Source: Viasat Inc official site · checked monthly · availability varies by address
SPEED SCORE
Below-average advertised speed for the state
This plan’s advertised maximum download ranks below most options filed with the FCC in this state. It is not a measured speed; faster plans are usually listed here.
The Speed Score is the percentile of this plan’s maximum advertised download speed among every internet option filed with the FCC in this state. It is not a measured speed test: actual throughput varies by address, wiring and time of day. Enter your full address to see which plans are serviceable at your home.
EST. CAPABILITIES
Poor
Poor
Poor
Poor
THE TAKEAWAY
Our recommendation for Hickory
Viasat is a limited-performance option compared with alternatives, with its top plan scoring 19/100, below Hickory’s city average of 52. Viasat Essentials offers up to 55 Mbps download and 4 Mbps upload for $69.99 per month and is available to 100% of the city, but satellite service can have higher latency and is worth comparing with other technologies available at your address. Viasat Unleashed is slower at up to 34 Mbps download and 4 Mbps upload, scores 15/100, and costs $99.99 per month.
Speeds and reach below are what the provider files with the FCC for each technology tier, by census block. The plans it actually sells here, with their own speeds and prices, are under Pricing & Plans; the two can differ.
About Viasat Inc
Viasat Inc is a backup option rather than a first choice for most Hickory households, since its satellite plans have below-average speeds and high latency. Viasat Essentials is the better value, with up to 55 Mbps download and 4 Mbps upload for $69.99 per month, while Viasat Unleashed costs $99.99 for up to 34 Mbps download and 4 Mbps upload; both are available to 100% of the city, but you should check for faster cable or fiber service at your address first.
Available Plans
Gso Satellite
Cheapest and Fastest Internet Plans in Hickory
All 21 product lines from the 8 providers with published pricing here, showing the price you would be quoted today and what it reverts to.
Showing 10 of 21 plans
- StarlinkResidential Max 400 Mbps400 MbpsDownload76Our score$130Per month~100%CoverageSatellite
- SpectrumInternet Gig 1 Gig$60/mo for 12 months (new residential customers only (no Spectrum service in past 30 days); limited-time offer; not available in all areas)1,000 MbpsDownload79Our score$60Per month~86.8%CoverageCable
- SpectrumInternet Premier 500 Mbps$40/mo for 12 months (new residential customers only (no Spectrum service in past 30 days); limited-time offer; not available in all areas)500 MbpsDownload76Our score$40Per month~86.8%CoverageCable
- StarlinkResidential 200 Mbps200 MbpsDownload57Our score$85Per month~100%CoverageSatellite
- T-MobileT-Mobile Rely Home Internet 400 Mbps$35/mo for 12 months, then $50/mo (qualifying credit, postpaid voice line, and new Internet line required; requires bundle) · $200 virtual prepaid Mastercard400 MbpsDownload76Our score$35$50Per month~51.9%CoverageFixed Wireless
- T-MobileT-Mobile Amplified Home Internet 500 Mbps$45/mo for 12 months, then $60/mo (new Internet line, qualifying credit, postpaid voice line required; requires bundle) · $200 virtual prepaid Mastercard500 MbpsDownload76Our score$45$60Per month~51.9%CoverageFixed Wireless
- T-MobileT-Mobile All-In Home Internet 500 Mbps$55/mo for 12 months, then $70/mo (new Internet line, qualifying credit, postpaid voice line required; requires bundle) · $200 virtual prepaid Mastercard500 MbpsDownload76Our score$55$70Per month~51.9%CoverageFixed Wireless
- Verizon5G Home$60/mo for 12 months (w/ Auto Pay & postpaid mobile unlimited plan that includes 5G Ultra Wideband; requires bundle)300 MbpsDownload71Our score$60Per month~37.2%Coverage5G Fixed Wireless
- StarlinkResidential 100 Mbps100 MbpsDownload21Our score$55Per month~100%CoverageSatellite
- HughesNetFusion$94.99/mo for the first 12 months, then $119.99/mo100 MbpsDownload21Our score$94.99$119.99Per month~100%CoverageSatellite
Prices are the current promotional rate where one is advertised. Sourced monthly from each provider’s own site; availability varies by address.
Best Fit by Household Type in Hickory
Best Fit
Students & Roommates
Choose Spectrum Internet 100 for $30 monthly for 12 months, if available at your address.
Its 100 Mbps plan reaches about 87% of Hickory, including substantial coverage in Viewmont and Catawba Valley.
Check first: The promotional price is for new residential customers and excludes addresses with recent Spectrum service.
Best Fit
Remote Workers
Choose Metronet fiber where available for symmetrical speeds up to 5,120 Mbps.
Metronet reaches about 24% of Hickory, offering equal upload and download performance for video calls and large files.
Check first: Verify availability carefully because fiber coverage reaches only about 24% of the city.
Best Fit
Gamers & Streamers
Choose Metronet fiber where available; otherwise, Spectrum cable up to 1,000 Mbps is the practical alternative.
Metronet provides symmetrical 5,120 Mbps fiber to about 24% of Hickory, while Spectrum reaches about 87% with cable.
Check first: Neither provider's fastest technology is available at every Hickory address.
Best Fit
Rural & Edge-of-City Homes
Start with Brightspeed, then consider satellite if wired service is unavailable.
Brightspeed's overall footprint reaches about 73% of Hickory, with common DSL tiers up to 80 Mbps reaching about.
Check first: Brightspeed's advertised 100 Mbps plan reaches only about 3% of the city.
Internet Providers by ZIP Code in Hickory
Viewmont 28601
Spectrum is currently the strongest option for Broad cable availability.
Spectrum cable reaches about 52% of ZIP 28601, while Metronet fiber reaches about 43%.
Catawba Valley Community College 28602
Spectrum is currently the strongest option for Cable plans and coverage.
Spectrum cable reaches about 58% of ZIP 28602, compared with about 31% for Metronet fiber.
ZIP 28603
Metronet Holdings is currently the strongest option for Symmetrical fiber speeds.
Metronet fiber reaches about 62% of ZIP 28603, exceeding Spectrum cable's roughly 22% coverage.
Internet providers near Hickory
Coverage can change completely a few miles down the road. If you’re moving to or shopping just outside Hickory, check the neighboring market directly.
Hickory Internet FAQs
Who is the best internet provider in Hickory, NC?
Spectrum is the best overall provider, with cable up to 1,000 Mbps reaching about 87% of Hickory. If Metronet fiber reaches your address, its 5,120 Mbps symmetrical service is the faster choice, but it reaches only about 24% of the city.
What is the fastest internet in Hickory, NC?
Metronet Holdings is fastest where available, offering 5,120/5,120 Mbps fiber to about 24% of Hickory. Spectrum is the best overall alternative, with 1,000 Mbps cable reaching about 87% of the city.
Which internet provider covers the most of Hickory, NC?
Spectrum has the largest non-satellite footprint at about 89% of Hickory, while satellite service is available everywhere. Spectrum's cable plans reach about 87%, making it the broadest practical high-speed wired option.
What is the cheapest internet plan in Hickory, NC?
Spectrum Internet 100 is the cheapest city plan at $30 per month for 100 Mbps, reaching about 87% of Hickory. This promotional starting rate lasts 12 months for new residential customers without Spectrum service during the previous 30 days.
Can I get fiber internet in Hickory?
Metronet fiber reaches about 24% of Hickory, while Spectrum fiber reaches about 4% and AT&T fiber tiers reach about 2% each. Check the exact address because these fiber footprints are much smaller than providers' broader technology footprints.
What internet speed do I need in Hickory?
A 100 Mbps plan supports many smaller households, while 500 Mbps or more suits heavier streaming, remote work, and multiple users. Hickory offers Spectrum 100 Mbps at about 87% coverage, while Metronet's 5,120 Mbps fiber reaches about 24%.
Is fast internet available in Viewmont?
Viewmont's ZIP 28601 has about 52% Spectrum cable coverage and about 43% Metronet fiber coverage. Check your address for Metronet's symmetrical 5,120 Mbps option; otherwise, Spectrum's cable plans provide the broader listed availability.
How We Analyze Internet in Hickory
FCC Broadband Data
We use the FCC National Broadband Map, updated twice a year with provider-reported coverage at the census block level.
Speed Score
A state-wide percentile of each plan’s maximum advertised download speed against every option filed with the FCC in the state, all technologies on one scale. It is not a measured speed test.
Coverage Calculation
Provider coverage shows what percentage of census blocks in Hickory report service availability from each provider.
Data Coverage for Hickory
How We Calculate Speed Score
The Speed Score is a state-wide percentile from 0 to 100. It answers one question: of every internet option filed with the FCC in this state, across every technology, what share is slower than this plan’s maximum advertised download speed?
What goes in:
- The plan’s maximum advertised download speed, as the provider files it with the FCC and lists it for sale.
- Every other serviceable option in the state from the FCC Broadband Data Collection, counted by the census blocks it reaches.
Speed Score = share of the state’s filed options with a lower advertised download speed
A score of 85 means this plan’s advertised speed beats 85% of the options filed in the state. Fiber, cable, DSL, fixed wireless and satellite are all on the same scale, so a 1,000 Mbps plan scores the same whoever sells it.
What it is not: a measured speed test. It does not include latency, upload speed, reliability or congestion. Real throughput at an address varies with wiring, equipment and time of day.
How providers are ordered on this page: each provider’s tier scores are averaged across the census blocks it serves, then multiplied by the share of the city it reaches. Wired providers rank ahead of wireless-only ones, and satellite last, because their filings describe a signal footprint rather than a plant. The same rule sets the title and the 30-second verdict.
Data source: FCC National Broadband Map (Broadband Data Collection), republished roughly twice a year; provider plan lists checked monthly.
How We Calculate Capabilities
Estimated Capabilities predict how well each internet plan supports common household activities based on speed requirements and connection type.
Rating Scale:
- Excellent – Optimal performance, handles peak usage easily
- Good – Reliable performance with minimal issues
- Fair – Functional but may experience slowdowns during heavy use
- Poor – Not recommended; expect frequent buffering or lag
How We Rate Each Category:
Streaming
Based on download speed. 4K streaming requires 25+ Mbps per stream; HD requires 5+ Mbps. We account for multiple simultaneous streams.
Multi-device
Evaluates total bandwidth capacity divided by typical household device count (phones, tablets, smart TVs, computers). Fiber and cable handle many devices better than DSL or satellite.
Gaming
Considers both upload speed (for sending game data) and latency (ping time). Fiber and cable excel here; satellite connections struggle due to inherent signal delay.
Whole Home
Assesses whether the connection can reliably serve an entire household during peak evening hours. Factors in technology type (shared vs. dedicated bandwidth) and total speed capacity.
Note: Actual performance depends on your specific location, network congestion, and equipment quality.