WINSTON-SALEM, NC
Find internet providers in Winston-Salem, NC
Find internet offered in Winston-Salem, NC – easily compare options from multiple providers to find the plan that best fits your needs.
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Shop and compare 11 internet providers for Winston-Salem, NC
The 30-Second Verdict
UpdatedIn Winston-Salem, NC, your best bet is AT&T, covering ~66% of the city with speeds up to 5,000 Mbps. AT&T’s fiber reaches ~38% of the city at up to 5000/5000 Mbps, so verify your address. In West End’s ZIP 27101, AT&T fiber leads at 38.8%, ahead of Spectrum cable at 33.2%. AT&T leads Ardmore’s 27103 at 57.4% and Buena Vista’s 27104 at 61.1%, both with its 5000/5000 Mbps fiber. Lumos fiber leads 27106 at 28.4%, ahead of AT&T fiber at 18.6% and Zirrus fiber at 17.8%; 27107 is cable-heavy, with Spectrum at 51.8% versus AT&T fiber at 35.3%, and Washington Park merits a precise address check. For students at Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem State University, the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, Salem College, Carolina University, and Forsyth Technical Community College, apartment options can differ, and older DSL or copper may hurt Zoom, streaming, and gaming. Spectrum covers 92.7% of the city, with cable reaching ~93% at up to 1000/35 Mbps; Verizon’s fixed wireless reaches 63% at up to 300/20 Mbps and T-Mobile’s 45% at up to 100/20 Mbps, so confirm the exact address because coverage changes street to street.
Best plan here: AT&T Fiber 5 GIG — faster than 98% of all internet options in North Carolina
- AT&T Fiber 5 GIG$95/mo for the first 12 months, then $135/moFiber5,000 MbpsDownload98Our score$95Per month
- AT&T Fiber 1 GIG$50/mo for the first 12 months, then $90/moFiber1,000 MbpsDownload95Our score$50Per month
- AT&T Fiber 500$50/mo for the first 12 months, then $75/moFiber500 MbpsDownload77Our score$50Per month
- AT&T Fiber 300$35/mo for the first 12 months, then $60/moFiber300 MbpsDownload76Our score$35Per month
- AT&T Internet Air$55/mo promotional rate, then $60/mo5G Fixed Wireless300 MbpsDownload76Our score$55Per month
Source: AT&T official site · checked monthly · availability varies by address
SPEED SCORE
Local data shows excellent speeds for your area
This score is based on local bandwidth data and indicates this provider offers some of the best speeds available in your area.
The calculated local speed score is based on real-world data showing average speeds in your area. Speed Scores are not static and fluctuate based on the location being checked for serviceability. Average speeds within a ZIP Code may not be reflective of your specific location. Enter your full address to access the most accurate speed score.
EST. CAPABILITIES
Excellent
Excellent
Excellent
Excellent
THE TAKEAWAY
Our recommendation for Winston-Salem
At $50/mo for the first 12 months, then $90/mo, AT&T Fiber 1 GIG offers up to 1000 Mbps down and 1000 Mbps up with a 95/100 Speed Score, making it an excellent choice and strong value for busy households. AT&T’s top Fiber 5 GIG tier offers up to 5000 Mbps down and 5000 Mbps up for $95/mo for the first 12 months, then $135/mo, with a 98/100 Speed Score above the city average of 74. Availability is address-specific: Fiber 1 GIG is available to 41.9% of the city, while AT&T Internet Air uses fixed wireless and may be more variable than fiber, so check which technology your address qualifies for.
About AT&T
AT&T’s introductory pricing is strong: for the first 12 months, $35/mo gets you up to 300 Mbps on Fiber, $50/mo gets you up to 500 Mbps or 1000 Mbps, and $95/mo gets you up to 5000 Mbps. These fiber plans are excellent for modern households, but availability is address dependent, with the 300, 500, and 1000 Mbps plans available to 41.9% of Winston-Salem and the 5000 Mbps plan available to 38.1%. Where fiber is unavailable, AT&T Internet Air costs $55/mo, then $60/mo, for up to 300 Mbps and reaches 8.1%, so check your address first because fixed wireless can be an adequate fallback but may be less reliable for demanding use.
Available Plans
Fiber
Copper
Licensed Fixed Wireless
Copper
Copper
Copper
Fiber
Copper
Licensed Fixed Wireless
Best plan here: Internet Gig — faster than 89% of all internet options in North Carolina
- Internet Gig$60/mo for the first 12 months, then $70/moCable1,000 MbpsDownload89Our score$60Per month
- Internet Premier$40/mo for the first 12 months, then $50/moCable500 MbpsDownload76Our score$40Per month
- Internet AdvantageCable100 MbpsDownload56Our score$30Per month
Source: Spectrum official site · checked monthly · availability varies by address
SPEED SCORE
Local data shows excellent speeds for your area
This score is based on local bandwidth data and indicates this provider offers some of the best speeds available in your area.
The calculated local speed score is based on real-world data showing average speeds in your area. Speed Scores are not static and fluctuate based on the location being checked for serviceability. Average speeds within a ZIP Code may not be reflective of your specific location. Enter your full address to access the most accurate speed score.
EST. CAPABILITIES
Excellent
Good
Good
Good
THE TAKEAWAY
Our recommendation for Winston-Salem
Up to 1000 Mbps download and 35 Mbps upload is enough for 4K streaming, busy households, and large downloads, and Spectrum’s Internet Gig earns a Speed Score of 89/100. As a cable plan, it is a reliable choice and sits above the city average of 74, though the 35 Mbps upload speed is less suited to heavy two-way uses than higher-upload alternatives. Internet Gig is available to 92.6% of Winston-Salem, so confirm availability at your address before choosing it.
About Spectrum
Spectrum’s Internet Gig plan offers up to 1000 Mbps download and 35 Mbps upload, which is well suited to streaming, gaming, video calls, and busy households with many connected devices. Its cable service is an excellent option for most home internet needs and the Gig plan is available to 92.6% of Winston-Salem, but availability is address-dependent, so check your location before choosing a plan.
Available Plans
Cable
Fiber
Lumos
Speeds up to 5,000 Mbps
Plans start at $50 /mo *
Speed Score: Faster than 98% of all internet options in North Carolina
SPEED SCORE
Local data shows excellent speeds for your area
This score is based on local bandwidth data and indicates this provider offers some of the best speeds available in your area.
The calculated local speed score is based on real-world data showing average speeds in your area. Speed Scores are not static and fluctuate based on the location being checked for serviceability. Average speeds within a ZIP Code may not be reflective of your specific location. Enter your full address to access the most accurate speed score.
EST. CAPABILITIES
Excellent
Excellent
Excellent
Excellent
THE TAKEAWAY
Our recommendation for Winston-Salem
Lumos reaches 15.5% of Winston-Salem, so availability is limited and depends on your address. Where available, its fiber is a top-tier option, offering up to 5,000 Mbps download and upload with a 98/100 speed score. Some addresses may instead get copper service with up to 10 Mbps download, 1 Mbps upload, and a 5/100 score, so check your address and consider other providers first if fiber is unavailable.
About Lumos
Lumos’s fastest fiber plan reaches 14.3% of Winston-Salem, so it is an excellent option for modern households but availability is limited to certain addresses. Where fiber is available, up to 5000 Mbps both ways is outstanding, while addresses served only by copper may get up to 10 Mbps down and 1 Mbps up, which is likely insufficient for streaming, remote work, or multiple users, so check your address for fiber first.
Available Plans
Fiber
Fiber
Copper
Zirrus
Speeds up to 6,000 Mbps
Price
Speed Score: Faster than 99% of all internet options in North Carolina
SPEED SCORE
Local data shows excellent speeds for your area
This score is based on local bandwidth data and indicates this provider offers some of the best speeds available in your area.
The calculated local speed score is based on real-world data showing average speeds in your area. Speed Scores are not static and fluctuate based on the location being checked for serviceability. Average speeds within a ZIP Code may not be reflective of your specific location. Enter your full address to access the most accurate speed score.
EST. CAPABILITIES
Excellent
Excellent
Excellent
Excellent
THE TAKEAWAY
Our recommendation for Winston-Salem
Households with heavy streaming, gaming, remote work, or multiple users will find Zirrus fiber an excellent choice, with up to 6000 Mbps download and 6000 Mbps upload and a 99/100 Speed Score. That score is above Winston-Salem’s average top speed score of 74, but fiber availability depends on your address and the plan is shown for 2.5% of the city. Where Zirrus offers only copper, speeds of up to 10 Mbps download and 1 Mbps upload with a 5/100 score provide limited performance compared with alternatives, so consider checking other providers first.
About Zirrus
Households that need very fast internet for streaming, work, gaming, or multiple users could find Zirrus’s fiber an excellent choice, with up to 6000 Mbps download and upload, a 99/100 Speed Score, and availability in 2.5% of census blocks. Because that fiber option is address-dependent, other Zirrus locations may only have copper with up to 10 Mbps down and 1 Mbps up in 0.2% of census blocks, which may not be sufficient for modern needs, so check for faster options first.
Available Plans
Fiber
Copper
Kinetic by Windstream
Speeds up to 1,000 Mbps
Plans range $24.99–$59.99 /mo *
Best plan here: Fiber 1 Gig — faster than 95% of all internet options in North Carolina
- Fiber 1 GigFiber1,000 MbpsDownload95Our score$59.99Per month
- Fiber 300 MbpsFiber300 MbpsDownload76Our score$39.99Per month
- Fiber 100 MbpsFiber100 MbpsDownload71Our score$24.99Per month
Source: Kinetic by Windstream official site · checked monthly · availability varies by address
SPEED SCORE
Local data shows excellent speeds for your area
This score is based on local bandwidth data and indicates this provider offers some of the best speeds available in your area.
The calculated local speed score is based on real-world data showing average speeds in your area. Speed Scores are not static and fluctuate based on the location being checked for serviceability. Average speeds within a ZIP Code may not be reflective of your specific location. Enter your full address to access the most accurate speed score.
EST. CAPABILITIES
Excellent
Excellent
Excellent
Excellent
THE TAKEAWAY
Our recommendation for Winston-Salem
For $59.99/mo, Kinetic by Windstream’s Fiber 1 Gig plan offers up to 1000 Mbps download and 1000 Mbps upload, delivering excellent value and top-tier fiber performance with a 95/100 Speed Score. That score is above Winston-Salem’s 74 average, making this a highly competitive choice for streaming, gaming, work, and large downloads. Fiber availability is address-specific, and this plan is shown as available to 2.3% of the city, so confirm your address before choosing it.
About Kinetic by Windstream
At $24.99/mo for up to 100 Mbps, $39.99/mo for up to 300 Mbps, or $59.99/mo for up to 1000 Mbps both ways, Kinetic offers excellent fiber value for streaming, gaming, and households with multiple users. These fiber plans are available to only 2.3% of Winston-Salem, so check your address first, and compare other providers if Kinetic fiber is not available there.
Available Plans
Copper
Copper
Cable
Fiber
Copper
Copper
Copper
Copper
Best plan here: All-In Home Internet — faster than 76% of all internet options in North Carolina
- All-In Home Internet$70/mo promotional rate, then $80/mo5G Fixed Wireless498 MbpsDownload76Our score$70Per month
- Rely Home Internet$50/mo promotional rate, then $60/mo5G Fixed Wireless354 MbpsDownload76Our score$50Per month
Source: T-Mobile official site · checked monthly · availability varies by address
SPEED SCORE
Local data shows average speeds for your area
This score is based on local bandwidth data and indicates this provider offers competitive speeds in your area.
The calculated local speed score is based on real-world data showing average speeds in your area. Speed Scores are not static and fluctuate based on the location being checked for serviceability. Average speeds within a ZIP Code may not be reflective of your specific location. Enter your full address to access the most accurate speed score.
EST. CAPABILITIES
Good
Adequate
Adequate
Good
THE TAKEAWAY
Our recommendation for Winston-Salem
Households that want a reasonably fast option for streaming, video calls, and everyday use may find T-Mobile’s 5G fixed wireless service a practical fit, with All-In Home Internet offering up to 498 Mbps download and 55 Mbps upload for a 76/100 Speed Score. That score is about the same as Winston-Salem’s city average of 74, so T-Mobile is a middle-of-the-pack option rather than a standout, and fixed wireless may be less consistent than wired service. Availability is address-dependent, with these plans reaching 70.0% of the city, so verify your address before choosing All-In at $70/mo promotional rate, then $80/mo, or Rely at $50/mo promotional rate, then $60/mo, which offers up to 354 Mbps download and 55 Mbps upload.
About T-Mobile
Households that want solid everyday speeds at a straightforward price may find T-Mobile a good fit, with 5G fixed wireless plans offering up to 498 Mbps down and 55 Mbps up for $70/mo promotional or up to 354 Mbps down and 55 Mbps up for $50/mo promotional. Both plans have a Speed Score of 76/100 and are available to 70.0% of Winston-Salem, but fixed wireless can be less consistent than fiber or cable, so check your address and compare faster wired options first if you need especially reliable service for heavy streaming, gaming, or work.
Available Plans
Licensed Fixed Wireless
Licensed Fixed Wireless
Best plan here: Brightspeed 2 Gig — faster than 95% of all internet options in North Carolina
- Brightspeed 2 Gig$250 Brightspeed Prepaid MastercardFiber2,000 MbpsDownload95Our score$59.99Per month
- Brightspeed 1 Gig$150 Brightspeed Prepaid MastercardFiber940 MbpsDownload91Our score$49.99Per month
- Brightspeed 500 Mbps$100 Brightspeed Prepaid MastercardFiber500 MbpsDownload77Our score$39.99Per month
- Brightspeed 200 MbpsFiber200 MbpsDownload76Our score$29.99Per month
Source: Brightspeed official site · checked monthly · availability varies by address
SPEED SCORE
Local data shows excellent speeds for your area
This score is based on local bandwidth data and indicates this provider offers some of the best speeds available in your area.
The calculated local speed score is based on real-world data showing average speeds in your area. Speed Scores are not static and fluctuate based on the location being checked for serviceability. Average speeds within a ZIP Code may not be reflective of your specific location. Enter your full address to access the most accurate speed score.
EST. CAPABILITIES
Excellent
Excellent
Excellent
Excellent
THE TAKEAWAY
Our recommendation for Winston-Salem
Brightspeed’s 95/100 Speed Score signals a top-tier fiber option, with up to 2000 Mbps download and 2000 Mbps upload for 4K streaming, busy households, gaming, and large uploads. That score is above Winston-Salem’s city average of 74, but the 2 Gig fiber plan is available to 0.1% of the city, so verify your address before choosing it. Where available, Brightspeed is an excellent choice for high-performance home internet.
About Brightspeed
Up to 2000 Mbps both ways can comfortably handle busy households, 4K streaming, gaming, video calls, and large downloads at the same time. Brightspeed’s fiber is an excellent option where available, but the 2 Gig plan reaches only 0.1% of Winston-Salem and its other fiber plans reach 1.0%, so check your address before counting on these speeds.
Available Plans
Fiber
Copper
Copper
Copper
Copper
Fiber
Copper
Best plan here: Residential – Max — faster than 71% of all internet options in North Carolina
- Residential – MaxSatellite400 MbpsDownload71Our score$130Per month
- Residential – 200 MbpsSatellite200 MbpsDownload48Our score$85Per month
- Residential – 100 MbpsSatellite100 MbpsDownload48Our score$55Per month
Source: Starlink official site · checked monthly · availability varies by address
SPEED SCORE
Local data shows average speeds for your area
This score is based on local bandwidth data and indicates this provider offers competitive speeds in your area.
The calculated local speed score is based on real-world data showing average speeds in your area. Speed Scores are not static and fluctuate based on the location being checked for serviceability. Average speeds within a ZIP Code may not be reflective of your specific location. Enter your full address to access the most accurate speed score.
EST. CAPABILITIES
Adequate
Poor
Poor
Adequate
THE TAKEAWAY
Our recommendation for Winston-Salem
Satellite service can handle many everyday uses, but its higher latency may be noticeable during gaming, video calls, and other real-time activities. Starlink’s Residential Max plan offers up to 400 Mbps download and 30 Mbps upload, reaches 100.0% of Winston-Salem, and has a Speed Score of 71/100. That score is below the city average of 74, so check the wired and other internet options available at your specific address if responsive performance matters most.
About Starlink
Satellite internet gives Starlink broad reach and up to 400 Mbps download and 30 Mbps upload, which can handle browsing, streaming, and many households, though higher latency may frustrate competitive gaming and some video calls. The Residential – Max plan costs $130/mo, with 200 Mbps and 100 Mbps options at $85/mo and $55/mo, and all three are available to 100.0% of Winston-Salem, but check for fiber or cable at your address first if you need the most responsive connection.
Available Plans
Ngso Satellite
Best plan here: 5G Home Plus — faster than 77% of all internet options in North Carolina
- 5G Home Plus$45/mo promotional rate, then $70/mo5G Fixed Wireless1,000 MbpsDownload77Our score$45Per month
- 5G Home$35/mo promotional rate, then $60/mo5G Fixed Wireless300 MbpsDownload76Our score$35Per month
Source: Verizon official site · checked monthly · availability varies by address
SPEED SCORE
Local data shows average speeds for your area
This score is based on local bandwidth data and indicates this provider offers competitive speeds in your area.
The calculated local speed score is based on real-world data showing average speeds in your area. Speed Scores are not static and fluctuate based on the location being checked for serviceability. Average speeds within a ZIP Code may not be reflective of your specific location. Enter your full address to access the most accurate speed score.
EST. CAPABILITIES
Good
Adequate
Adequate
Good
THE TAKEAWAY
Our recommendation for Winston-Salem
Verizon’s 5G fixed wireless connection can handle everyday streaming, video calls, and connected-home use, with 5G Home Plus offering up to 1000 Mbps download and 75 Mbps upload. Its 77/100 Speed Score is above Winston-Salem’s 74 average, while 5G Home offers up to 300 Mbps download and 75 Mbps upload with a 76/100 score, though fixed wireless performance can vary by location and network conditions, so confirm availability at your address; both plans reach 64.9% of the city.
About Verizon
Verizon’s 5G fixed wireless service is an adequate but capable choice for streaming, video calls, and working from home, with 5G Home Plus offering up to 1000 Mbps download and 75 Mbps upload, or 5G Home offering up to 300 Mbps download and 75 Mbps upload. It is not as consistently reliable as fiber or cable, and availability depends on your address since both plans reach 64.9% of Winston-Salem, so check first before counting on the $45/mo or $35/mo promotional rate, which later becomes $70/mo or $60/mo.
Available Plans
Licensed Fixed Wireless
Licensed Fixed Wireless
Best plan here: Fusion — slower than 71% of all internet options in North Carolina
- Fusion$94.99/mo for the first 12 months, then $119.99/moSatellite100 MbpsDownload29Our score$94.99Per month
- Select$49.99/mo for the first 12 months, then $74.99/moSatellite50 MbpsDownload6Our 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
Local data shows below average speeds for your area
This score is based on local bandwidth data and is an indicator that there are better options in your area.
The calculated local speed score is based on real-world data showing average speeds in your area. Speed Scores are not static and fluctuate based on the location being checked for serviceability. Average speeds within a ZIP Code may not be reflective of your specific location. Enter your full address to access the most accurate speed score.
EST. CAPABILITIES
Poor
Poor
Poor
Poor
THE TAKEAWAY
Our recommendation for Winston-Salem
At $94.99/mo for the first 12 months, then $119.99/mo, HughesNet’s Fusion plan buys up to 100 Mbps download and 5 Mbps upload, but its Speed Score is 29/100. As a satellite service, it offers more limited performance and higher latency than fiber or cable, and its score is below the Winston-Salem average of 74. Fusion is available to 100.0% of the city, but check what else reaches your address before choosing it, especially for gaming, video calls, or multiple users.
About HughesNet
At $39.99/mo for the first 12 months, HughesNet Lite buys up to 25 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload, while Select costs $49.99/mo for the first 12 months for up to 50 Mbps download and 5 Mbps upload, so the value is broad availability rather than top performance. Fusion raises the ceiling to up to 100 Mbps download and 5 Mbps upload for $94.99/mo for the first 12 months, but its Speed Score is 29/100, compared with 6/100 for Lite and Select, and all three are satellite plans with latency limitations. Each listed plan shows availability to 100.0% of Winston-Salem, but check your address for fiber or cable first, since those technologies are generally better for modern streaming, video calls, and gaming.
Available Plans
Gso Satellite
Best plan here: Viasat Essentials — slower than 94% of all internet options in North Carolina
- Viasat EssentialsSatellite55 MbpsDownload6Our score$69.99Per month
- Viasat UnleashedSatellite34 MbpsDownload6Our score$99.99Per month
Source: Viasat Inc official site · checked monthly · availability varies by address
SPEED SCORE
Local data shows below average speeds for your area
This score is based on local bandwidth data and is an indicator that there are better options in your area.
The calculated local speed score is based on real-world data showing average speeds in your area. Speed Scores are not static and fluctuate based on the location being checked for serviceability. Average speeds within a ZIP Code may not be reflective of your specific location. Enter your full address to access the most accurate speed score.
EST. CAPABILITIES
Poor
Poor
Poor
Poor
THE TAKEAWAY
Our recommendation for Winston-Salem
Viasat is a limited-performance option compared with alternatives in Winston-Salem, with a Speed Score of 6/100, below the city average of 74. Its satellite plans offer up to 55 Mbps download and 4 Mbps upload for $69.99 per month or up to 34 Mbps download and 4 Mbps upload for $99.99 per month, with both available to 100.0% of the city. Because satellite service typically has higher latency and lower performance, check what other providers offer at your address first.
About Viasat Inc
Viasat is best treated as a fallback, so check your address for faster fiber or cable service before choosing it. Its Essentials plan offers up to 55 Mbps down and 4 Mbps up for $69.99/mo, while Unleashed offers up to 34 Mbps down and 4 Mbps up for $99.99/mo; both are satellite plans with a Speed Score of 6/100 and availability to 100.0% of Winston-Salem, so they may be limited for modern high-bandwidth needs.
Available Plans
Gso Satellite
Every plan available in Winston-Salem
All 27 product lines from the 9 providers with published pricing here, showing the price you would be quoted today and what it reverts to.
Showing 10 of 27 plans
- SpectrumInternet Gig$60/mo for the first 12 months, then $70/mo1,000 MbpsDownload89Our score$60$70Per month~92.6%CoverageCable
- StarlinkResidential – Max400 MbpsDownload71Our score$130Per month~100%CoverageSatellite
- SpectrumInternet Premier$40/mo for the first 12 months, then $50/mo500 MbpsDownload76Our score$40$50Per month~92.6%CoverageCable
- T-MobileRely Home Internet$50/mo promotional rate, then $60/mo354 MbpsDownload76Our score$50$60Per month~70%Coverage5G Fixed Wireless
- T-MobileAll-In Home Internet$70/mo promotional rate, then $80/mo498 MbpsDownload76Our score$70$80Per month~70%Coverage5G Fixed Wireless
- SpectrumInternet Advantage100 MbpsDownload56Our score$30Per month~92.6%CoverageCable
- Verizon5G Home Plus$45/mo promotional rate, then $70/mo1,000 MbpsDownload77Our score$45$70Per month~64.9%Coverage5G Fixed Wireless
- Verizon5G Home$35/mo promotional rate, then $60/mo300 MbpsDownload76Our score$35$60Per month~64.9%Coverage5G Fixed Wireless
- StarlinkResidential – 100 Mbps100 MbpsDownload48Our score$55Per month~100%CoverageSatellite
- StarlinkResidential – 200 Mbps200 MbpsDownload48Our score$85Per 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.
Compare Winston-Salem providers head-to-head
See how Winston-Salem’s providers stack up against each other — speed, coverage, price, and who wins block by block.
Best Fit by Household Type in Winston-Salem
Best Fit
Students & Roommates
Choose Spectrum Internet Advantage at a $30/mo promotional starting rate for 100 Mbps; it reaches 92.6% citywide.
Spectrum reaches 33.2% in West End and 20.6% in Ardmore, offering roommates two local ZIPs to check.
Check first: Confirm the address; 92.6% plan coverage still leaves some Winston-Salem homes outside eligibility.
Best Fit
Remote Workers
Choose AT&T Fiber 300 at a $35/mo promotional starting rate for 300 Mbps, reaching 41.9% citywide.
Ardmore and Buena Vista list AT&T fiber at 57.4% and 61.1%, respectively, making address checks worthwhile.
Check first: The 41.9% Fiber 300 reach is much smaller than AT&T's 66.5% overall footprint.
Best Fit
Gamers & Streamers
Choose Spectrum Internet Gig at a $60/mo promotional starting rate for 1,000 Mbps; it reaches 92.6% of Winston-Salem.
Its 1,000 Mbps cable tier has the city's broadest listed high-speed wired-plan reach.
Check first: Verify the address; Spectrum's 92.6% plan reach is not universal.
Best Fit
Rural & Edge-of-City Homes
Choose Starlink Residential – 100 Mbps at a $55/mo promotional starting rate; 100 Mbps reaches 100% of the city.
Starlink's 100% plan reach exceeds Spectrum's 92.6% and AT&T Fiber 300's 41.9%, helping where wired eligibility is limited.
Check first: Confirm the address; 100% reach does not make Starlink a fiber or cable connection.
Top ZIP-Level Insights in Winston-Salem
West End
AT&T is currently the strongest option for Fast fiber where available.
AT&T leads ZIP 27101 at 38.8%, while Spectrum covers 33.2%.
Ardmore
AT&T is currently the strongest option for High-speed fiber.
AT&T's 5,000 Mbps fiber reaches 57.4% of ZIP 27103, while Spectrum covers 20.6%.
Buena Vista
AT&T is currently the strongest option for Fiber availability.
AT&T's 5,000 Mbps fiber leads ZIP 27104 at 61.1%; Zirrus fiber is listed at 3.1%.
Internet providers near Winston-Salem
Coverage can change completely a few miles down the road. If you’re moving to or shopping just outside Winston-Salem, check the neighboring market directly.
Winston-Salem Internet FAQs
What is the fastest internet provider in Winston-Salem, NC?
Zirrus offers the fastest listed service: 6,000 Mbps fiber reaching about 2% of Winston-Salem. Check the address carefully, because its small fiber footprint makes this much less widely available than Spectrum's 1,000 Mbps plan reaching 92.6%.
Can I get fiber in Ardmore, Winston-Salem?
Yes—AT&T's 5,000 Mbps fiber is listed across 57.4% of ZIP 27103 (Ardmore). Citywide, AT&T's Fiber 300 plan reaches 41.9%, while its 5,000 Mbps tier reaches 38.1%, so verify the exact address and tier rather than relying on the ZIP average.
What is the cheapest internet plan in Winston-Salem?
Kinetic by Windstream Fiber 100 Mbps is Winston-Salem's cheapest plan at a $24.99/mo promotional starting rate for 100 Mbps, reaching 2.3% of the city. Confirm address eligibility before choosing it, because the lowest price has limited local reach.
How much internet speed do I need in Winston-Salem?
Start with 100 Mbps: Spectrum's Internet Advantage plan offers that speed and reaches 92.6% of Winston-Salem. Heavier simultaneous use can justify Spectrum's 500 or 1,000 Mbps tiers, each reaching 92.6%, while address-level eligibility still varies.
Is internet available in West End, Winston-Salem?
Yes—West End's ZIP 27101 lists AT&T's 5,000 Mbps fiber at 38.8% and Spectrum's 1,000 Mbps cable at 33.2%. Those are the leading listed options there, but ZIP coverage is not address-level confirmation, so check the serviceability of the specific home.
How We Analyze Internet in Winston-Salem
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
Our proprietary score weights technology type (fiber=100%, cable=85%, etc.) with download (70%) and upload (30%) speeds, ranked as a state percentile.
Coverage Calculation
Provider coverage shows what percentage of census blocks in Winston-Salem report service availability from each provider.
Data Coverage for Winston-Salem
How We Calculate Speed Score
Our Speed Score is a state-level percentile ranking (0-100) that shows how a provider’s service compares to all other internet options available in your state.
The Formula:
We calculate a raw performance score using:
Technology Factor × (Download Speed × 70% + Upload Speed × 30%)
Technology Factors:
Not all connections are equal. We weight each technology based on real-world reliability and performance:
- Fiber: 100% – Fastest, most reliable technology
- Cable: 85% – High speeds, shared neighborhood bandwidth
- Fixed Wireless (Licensed): 70% – Dedicated spectrum, weather-dependent
- Copper/DSL: 65% – Distance-limited, aging infrastructure
- Fixed Wireless (Unlicensed): 60% – Shared spectrum, variable performance
- Satellite (LEO): 40% – Low-earth orbit (e.g., Starlink), higher latency
- Satellite (GEO): 15% – Geostationary orbit, significant latency
Percentile Ranking:
After calculating raw scores, we rank every service option in your state by geographic coverage (census blocks served). A score of 85 means this service performs better than 85% of all internet options available in your state.
Data Source: FCC National Broadband Map data, updated twice a year.
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.