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AT&T vs Spectrum in Raleigh
AT&T’s symmetrical fiber beats Spectrum’s cable on speed and upload, but Spectrum reaches slightly more of Raleigh, so availability at your address decides it.
AT&T wins on raw performance, with symmetrical fiber up to 5000/5000 Mbps and a 98/100 speed score, plus a lower promo price at $35/mo. Spectrum edges it slightly on reach (~91% vs ~89% city coverage) and starts a dollar less at $30/mo, but its cable tops out at 1000/35 Mbps with a weaker 87/100 speed score. Get AT&T if fiber reaches your block and you upload a lot or work from home. Spectrum is the fine, cheap-enough fallback where fiber hasn’t arrived.
At a glance
AT&T vs. Spectrum, side by side.
| Provider | Type | Top speed | City coverage | Starting price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T |
Fiber | 5 Gig 5 Gig upload |
89% | $35/mo | Solid fiber option |
| Spectrum |
Cable | 1 Gig 35 Mbps upload |
91% | $30/mo | Widest availability |
Coverage map
Two different questions, two views. Top speed shows who offers the faster plan where you can actually get it. Coverage shows who reaches more of each ZIP. Or pick a single provider to see just its footprint.
Neighborhood breakdown
Coverage in Raleigh shifts block to block, so the winner often depends on your exact address rather than the citywide numbers. Spectrum’s cable reaches slightly more of the city (~91%) and may be the only option in pockets AT&T fiber (~89%) hasn’t wired yet. Always check both at your specific address before deciding.
| ZIP | Neighborhoods | Coverage | Top speed | Speed Score | Winner | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T | Spectrum | AT&T | Spectrum | AT&T | Spectrum | |||
| 27610 | Southeast Raleigh, Battery Heights, Rochester Heights, Worthdale | 78% | 92% | 5 Gig | 1 Gig | 94 | 88 | AT&T |
| 27603 | Fuller Heights, Renaissance Park, Swift Creek, Garner border area | 58% | 85% | 5 Gig | 1 Gig | 90 | 87 | AT&T |
| 27604 | Longview, Wilders Grove, Brentwood, Capital Boulevard | 80% | 88% | 5 Gig | 1 Gig | 94 | 87 | AT&T |
| 27616 | Northeast Raleigh, Wakefield, Forestville, Neuse | 71% | 94% | 5 Gig | 1 Gig | 93 | 88 | AT&T |
| 27613 | Leesville, Bayleaf, Stonehenge, Northwest Raleigh | 76% | 96% | 5 Gig | 1 Gig | 94 | 89 | AT&T |
| 27612 | Crabtree Valley, Umstead Park area, Lake Boone, Ramblewood | 71% | 95% | 5 Gig | 1 Gig | 93 | 89 | AT&T |
| 27606 | NC State University, Avent Ferry, Farrington Woods, Lake Johnson | 54% | 95% | 5 Gig | 1 Gig | 89 | 89 | Spectrum |
| 27614 | Wakefield, Falls River, Bedford, North Raleigh | 62% | 93% | 5 Gig | 1 Gig | 91 | 88 | AT&T |
| 27615 | North Ridge, Wakefield border, Bent Tree, Millbrook | 74% | 90% | 5 Gig | 1 Gig | 93 | 88 | AT&T |
| 27607 | Meredith College, Wade Avenue, Ridgewood, Reedy Creek | 70% | 88% | 5 Gig | 1 Gig | 92 | 87 | AT&T |
| 27617 | Brier Creek, Northwest Raleigh, Umstead area | 18% | 83% | 5 Gig | 1 Gig | 82 | 86 | Spectrum |
| 27601 | Downtown Raleigh, Moore Square, Shaw University, Chavis Heights | 61% | 69% | 5 Gig | 1 Gig | 91 | 83 | AT&T |
| 27609 | North Hills, Midtown, Drewry Hills, Anderson Heights | 80% | 90% | 5 Gig | 1 Gig | 94 | 88 | AT&T |
| 27608 | Five Points, Hayes Barton, Bloomsbury, Mordecai | 94% | 95% | 5 Gig | 1 Gig | 97 | 89 | AT&T |
| 27605 | Cameron Park, Glenwood South, Boylan Heights, Fred Fletcher Park | 80% | 96% | 5 Gig | 1 Gig | 94 | 89 | AT&T |
| 27602 | Downtown Raleigh (PO Boxes) | 45% | 53% | 5 Gig | 1 Gig | 87 | 80 | AT&T |
| 27611 | Southeast Raleigh (PO Boxes) | 45% | 53% | 5 Gig | 1 Gig | 87 | 80 | AT&T |
| 27628 | Central Raleigh (PO Boxes) | 96% | 99% | 5 Gig | 1 Gig | 98 | 89 | AT&T |
| 27619 | North Raleigh (PO Boxes) | 61% | 74% | 5 Gig | 1 Gig | 91 | 84 | AT&T |
| 27622 | West Raleigh (PO Boxes) | 61% | 74% | 5 Gig | 1 Gig | 91 | 84 | AT&T |
| 27629 | North Raleigh (PO Box ZIP) | 76% | 72% | 5 Gig | 1 Gig | 94 | 84 | AT&T |
| 27658 | North Raleigh (PO Box ZIP) | 41% | 63% | 5 Gig | 1 Gig | 87 | 82 | AT&T |
Speed Score (0–100) blends each provider’s coverage and top speed in that specific ZIP, so it moves as availability changes street to street.
Which is better for…
The right pick comes down to what you actually do online.
Get connected
Pick your provider and check availability at your address.
- 5 Gig down · 5 Gig up Fiber
- 1 Gig down · 1 Gig up Fiber
- 1 Gig down · 500 Mbps up Fiber
- 1 Gig down · 35 Mbps up Cable
See what’s actually available at your address
Coverage changes from one street to the next. Check your exact address in seconds.
Check my addressFrequently asked questions
Is AT&T fiber available at my address in Raleigh or only Spectrum?
AT&T fiber covers roughly 89% of Raleigh while Spectrum reaches about 91%, so both are likely but neither is guaranteed on every block. Enter your exact address on each provider’s site to confirm which serves your home before you shop plans.
Which is cheaper in Raleigh, AT&T or Spectrum?
Spectrum starts at $30/mo versus AT&T’s $35/mo, so Spectrum is a dollar cheaper up front. Both prices are promotional starting rates, so confirm the post-promo rate, equipment fees, and any contract terms before you sign.
Which is faster and is it enough for gaming and working from home?
AT&T is faster, with fiber up to 5000/5000 Mbps and a 98/100 speed score versus Spectrum’s 1000/35 Mbps and 87/100, where available. For gaming and WFH the symmetrical uploads matter most, so check whether AT&T fiber reaches your address.
More Raleigh comparisons
How Raleigh’s other qualifying providers stack up head-to-head.