Charleston, SC Internet
Internet Providers in Charleston, SC
Compare every internet provider in Charleston, SC: coverage from FCC filings, plan prices checked monthly, and an address check for your street.
The 30-Second Verdict
UpdatedXfinity is the best overall, with cable speeds up to 2,000 Mbps reaching about 30% of the city, while its overall footprint reaches about 91%. AT&T is the fastest where available, with fiber speeds up to 5,000/5,000 Mbps reaching about 36% of the city, and if it reaches your address, it is the faster choice. Where Xfinity does not reach, WOW Internet, Cable & Phone is the safe fallback, mostly cable with an overall footprint of about 65% and common cable speeds up to 1,200 Mbps reaching about 65%.
ZIP 29412 is the standout fiber pocket, with AT&T serving about 71% of the ZIP, while Xfinity leads ZIP 29402 at about 68% with cable. West Ashley has a strong WOW presence at about 54%, and Wagener Terrace is more competitive, with Xfinity at about 34% and AT&T fiber at about 29%. South of Broad and Harleston Village can see a mix of Xfinity and AT&T fiber, while ZIP 29406 splits notably between Xfinity and WOW. Students near the College of Charleston, MUSC, The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, and Charleston School of Law should check for older DSL or copper infrastructure, since reliable Zoom, streaming, and gaming connections matter. Fixed wireless from T-Mobile or Verizon is worth checking for budget-minded households, but coverage changes street by street, so confirm the exact address.
Best Internet Providers in Charleston, SC
Best plan here: 2 Gig — faster than 96% of all internet options in South Carolina
- 2 Gig$100/mo for 60 months (w/ AutoPay & paperless billing, new customers, 5-Year Price Guarantee)Cable2,000 MbpsDownload96Our score$100Per month
- 1.2 Gig$100/mo for 60 months (w/ AutoPay & paperless billing, new customers, 5-Year Price Guarantee)Cable1,200 MbpsDownload94Our score$100Per month
- 1 GigCable1,000 MbpsDownload78Our score$50Per month
- 500 Mbps$45/mo for 60 months, then $55/mo (w/ AutoPay & paperless billing, new customers)Cable500 MbpsDownload78Our score$45Per month
- 300 Mbps$40/mo for 60 months (w/ AutoPay & paperless billing, new customers, 5-Year Price Guarantee)Cable300 MbpsDownload72Our score$40Per month
Source: Xfinity official site · checked monthly · availability varies by address
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
Good
Good
Good
THE TAKEAWAY
Our recommendation for Charleston
Xfinity reaches 90.7% of Charleston with its up to 1.2 Gig cable plan, giving shoppers a strong chance of qualifying for service. Cable is a solid, reliable choice for most households, and Xfinity’s 96/100 Speed Score is above the city average, with plans offering up to 1,200 Mbps download and 35 Mbps upload. The up to 2 Gig plan scores 96/100 but is available to only about 30% of the city, so the fastest tier depends on your exact address.
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 Xfinity
Xfinity reaches 90.7% of Charleston, giving most shoppers a strong chance of getting its cable service. Its options are excellent for most modern needs, including up to 1,200 Mbps on the 1.2 Gig plan across 90.7% of the city and up to 2,000 Mbps on the 2 Gig plan, though that fastest option is address-dependent and available to about 30% of the city. Check your address to see whether the 2 Gig plan is offered, since the available cable plans all have 35 Mbps upload speeds.
Available Plans
Cable
Cable
Fiber
Fiber
Fiber
Best plan here: Fiber 300 — faster than 72% of all internet options in South Carolina
- Fiber 300Cable300 MbpsDownload72Our score$25Per month
Source: WOW Internet, Cable & Phone 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 Charleston
WOW Internet, Cable & Phone is a solid, above-average choice for Charleston, with a Speed Score of 72/100 versus the city average of 62. Its Fiber 300 plan offers up to 300 Mbps download and 300 Mbps upload for $25 per month, and is available to about 65% of the city. Because availability is address-dependent, confirm that this fiber plan reaches your home, since the best real-world performance may not be available at every address.
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 WOW Internet, Cable & Phone
WOW Internet, Cable & Phone is a strong option for many households because its Fiber 300 plan offers good, symmetrical speeds up to 300 Mbps in both directions for $25 per month. The plan has a Speed Score of 72/100 and is available to about 65% of Charleston, so check your address to confirm you can get this fiber service.
Available Plans
Cable
Best plan here: AT&T Internet 5 GIG speed — faster than 97% of all internet options in South Carolina
- 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 MbpsDownload97Our 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 MbpsDownload78Our 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 MbpsDownload78Our score$50Per 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 MbpsDownload72Our score$35Per 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 MbpsDownload72Our score$40Per month
Source: AT&T official site · checked monthly · availability varies by address
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 Charleston
At $90 per month for 12 months, AT&T Internet 5 GIG offers up to 5,000 Mbps both ways, making it strong value for households that need maximum capacity. Its fiber connection is an excellent, top-tier option with a 97/100 Speed Score, above Charleston’s city average of 62. Fiber availability is address-dependent and this plan reaches about 36% of the city, so verify that your address qualifies before choosing it over AT&T’s fixed wireless service.
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 $35/mo for up to 300 Mbps fiber, or $50/mo for up to 1,000 Mbps and $90/mo for up to 5,000 Mbps both ways, AT&T offers excellent value for households that can get its fiber service. Fiber availability is address-dependent, reaching about 42% of Charleston for the 300 Mbps, 500 Mbps, and 1 GIG plans and about 36% for 5 GIG, while the fallback Internet Air option reaches about 35% and offers up to 300 Mbps down and 30 Mbps up, so check your address for fiber first.
Available Plans
Fiber
Licensed Fixed Wireless
Copper
Copper
Copper
Copper
Fiber
Copper
Licensed Fixed Wireless
Home Telecom
Speeds up to 1,000 Mbps
Price Not listed
Speed Score: Faster than 78% of all internet options in South Carolina
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
Excellent
Excellent
Excellent
THE TAKEAWAY
Our recommendation for Charleston
Up to 1000 Mbps download and 1000 Mbps upload on fiber can comfortably handle streaming, gaming, video calls, and many connected devices at once. Home Telecom’s fiber plan has a Speed Score of 78/100, making it a good, above-average choice compared with Charleston’s average top speed score of 62, though it reaches about 10% of the city. Availability depends on your address, and the 25 Mbps download, 3 Mbps upload copper plan has a Speed Score of 5/100, so consider checking other providers first if fiber is not available.
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 Home Telecom
Up to 1000 Mbps both ways is a good fit for streaming, video calls, gaming, and several people online at once. Home Telecom’s fiber option is a strong choice where available, reaching about 10% of census blocks, but availability is address-dependent, and the fallback copper plan tops out at 25 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload, which may be inadequate for busy modern households, so check for fiber or other faster options first.
Available Plans
Fiber
Copper
Best plan here: 5G Home — faster than 72% of all internet options in South 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 MbpsDownload72Our 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 Charleston
Verizon’s 5G fixed wireless service offers up to 300 Mbps download and 75 Mbps upload, making it a good fit for streaming, video calls, and everyday home use, though fixed wireless can be more variable than wired connections. Its Speed Score of 72/100 is above Charleston’s city average of 62, making it a competitive option. The plan is available to about 53% of Charleston, so check your address to confirm that this service reaches your home.
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 is an adequate option for everyday streaming, video calls, and browsing, with speeds of up to 300 Mbps download and 75 Mbps upload, though performance can vary with signal and congestion. It is available to about 53% of Charleston, so check your exact address first, and compare fiber or cable alternatives if offered since they are generally more consistent for busy households.
Available Plans
Licensed Fixed Wireless
Licensed Fixed Wireless
Best plan here: T-Mobile Amplified Home Internet 500 Mbps — faster than 78% of all internet options in South 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 MbpsDownload78Our 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 MbpsDownload78Our 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 MbpsDownload78Our 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 Charleston
Households seeking affordable internet for streaming, work, and everyday browsing can consider T-Mobile’s fixed wireless service, including up to 400 Mbps download and 50 Mbps upload on the $35/mo Rely plan, with a Speed Score of 78/100 that is above Charleston’s city average. Fixed wireless can be adequate but may vary more than wired service, and the 400 Mbps and 500 Mbps plans are available to about 71% of Charleston, so confirm your address before choosing.
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 reasonable fit for households that want good everyday speeds for streaming, video calls, and several connected devices, with fixed wireless plans offering up to 500 Mbps download and 60 Mbps upload and a Speed Score of 78/100. Availability is address-dependent, reaching about 71% of Charleston for these plans, and the required voice-line bundle may not suit everyone, so check for faster wired options first if they are available at your address.
Available Plans
Licensed Fixed Wireless
Licensed Fixed Wireless
Best plan here: Residential Max 400 Mbps — faster than 78% of all internet options in South Carolina
- Residential Max 400 MbpsSatellite400 MbpsDownload78Our score$130Per month
- Residential 200 MbpsSatellite200 MbpsDownload57Our score$85Per month
- Residential 100 MbpsSatellite100 MbpsDownload20Our 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 Charleston
Satellite service gives Starlink broad reach, but its higher latency can be noticeable for fast-paced gaming, video calls, and other real-time activities. The Residential Max 400 Mbps plan offers up to 400 Mbps download and 40 Mbps upload, with a Speed Score of 78/100, above Charleston’s city average of 62, making it a competitive choice for demanding home use. That plan is available to 100.0% of the city, though checking service details at your specific address is still wise because real-world satellite performance can vary.
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, so it can provide broad reach and useful speeds for streaming, video calls, and everyday browsing, but satellite connections can have higher latency than wired service. Its Residential Max plan offers up to 400 Mbps download and 40 Mbps upload for $130 per month, with good performance reflected by a 78/100 Speed Score, while lower-priced plans offer up to 200 Mbps for $85 or 100 Mbps for $55. Since Starlink is available to 100.0% of Charleston, it is a strong fallback where fiber or cable is unavailable, though it is worth checking for faster wired options at your address first.
Available Plans
Ngso Satellite
Best plan here: Fusion — slower than 80% of all internet options in South Carolina
- Fusion$94.99/mo for the first 12 months, then $119.99/moSatellite100 MbpsDownload20Our score$94.99Per month
- Select$49.99/mo for the first 12 months, then $74.99/moSatellite50 MbpsDownload15Our score$49.99Per month
- Lite$39.99/mo for the first 12 months, then $49.99/moSatellite25 MbpsDownload5Our 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 Charleston
At $94.99 per month for the first 12 months, then $119.99, HughesNet’s Fusion plan buys up to 100 Mbps download and 5 Mbps upload, but its 20/100 Speed Score is well below Charleston’s city average of 62. Satellite offers limited performance compared with alternatives, so consider checking other providers first, especially for low-latency gaming, video calls, or heavy streaming. Fusion is available to 100% of Charleston, though availability and the best technology option still depend on your specific address.
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 $94.99 per month for the first 12 months, HughesNet’s Fusion plan costs more for up to 100 Mbps download and 5 Mbps upload, while Select costs $49.99 for up to 50 Mbps download and Lite costs $39.99 for up to 25 Mbps download, so the value is limited compared with faster wired options. Satellite service reaches 100.0% of Charleston, but its below-average speeds and higher latency may be frustrating for gaming, video calls, and busy households, so check your address for fiber or cable first.
Available Plans
Gso Satellite
Best plan here: Viasat Essentials — slower than 81% of all internet options in South 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 Charleston
Viasat Inc is a limited-performance choice compared with alternatives in Charleston, with a headline Speed Score of 19/100 that is below the city average of 62. Its Viasat Essentials satellite plan offers up to 55 Mbps download and 4 Mbps upload for $69.99 per month, with availability across 100% of Charleston. Because satellite service can have higher latency and slower real-world performance than fiber or cable, check what other providers reach your specific address before choosing.
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 basic fallback rather than a strong first choice, since its satellite plans have below-average Speed Scores and speeds of up to 55 Mbps down and 4 Mbps up for $69.99 per month, or up to 34 Mbps down and 4 Mbps up for $99.99 per month. Both plans are available to 100% of Charleston, but satellite service can have high latency, so check your address for faster fiber or cable options before choosing Viasat, especially for streaming, gaming, or multiple connected devices.
Available Plans
Gso Satellite
Cheapest and Fastest Internet Plans in Charleston
All 23 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 23 plans
- Xfinity1.2 Gig$100/mo for 60 months (w/ AutoPay & paperless billing, new customers, 5-Year Price Guarantee)1,200 MbpsDownload94Our score$100Per month~90.7%CoverageCable
- StarlinkResidential Max 400 Mbps400 MbpsDownload78Our score$130Per month~100%CoverageSatellite
- Xfinity500 Mbps$45/mo for 60 months, then $55/mo (w/ AutoPay & paperless billing, new customers)500 MbpsDownload78Our score$45$55Per month~90.7%CoverageCable
- Xfinity1 Gig1,000 MbpsDownload78Our score$50Per month~90.7%CoverageCable
- Xfinity300 Mbps$40/mo for 60 months (w/ AutoPay & paperless billing, new customers, 5-Year Price Guarantee)300 MbpsDownload72Our score$40Per month~90.7%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 MbpsDownload78Our score$35$50Per month~71.1%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 MbpsDownload78Our score$45$60Per month~71.1%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 MbpsDownload78Our score$55$70Per month~71.1%CoverageFixed Wireless
- WOW Internet, Cable & PhoneFiber 300300 MbpsDownload72Our score$25Per month~64.6%CoverageCable
Prices are the current promotional rate where one is advertised. Sourced monthly from each provider’s own site; availability varies by address.
Compare Charleston providers head-to-head
See how Charleston’s providers stack up against each other — speed, coverage, price, and who wins block by block.
Best Fit by Household Type in Charleston
Best Fit
Students & Roommates
Choose Xfinity 300 Mbps, reaching about 91% of Charleston, for shared streaming and coursework.
Its $40 promotional starting rate and broad cable footprint suit budget-conscious shared households.
Check first: Confirm the address, because Xfinity's 2,000 Mbps tier reaches only about 30%.
Best Fit
Remote Workers
Choose AT&T fiber where available, with symmetrical speeds up to 5,000 Mbps.
AT&T's 5,000/5,000 Mbps fiber reaches about 36% of Charleston and supports demanding upload work.
Check first: Fiber availability is address-specific; AT&T fiber's 1,000 Mbps tier reaches about 42%.
Best Fit
Students & Roommates
Start with Xfinity where fiber is available near campus-heavy areas.
Shared apartments need stable upload and download performance for Zoom, streaming, and concurrent device use.
Check first: Confirm your exact building is wired for the advertised plan tier before ordering.
Best Fit
Remote Workers
Prioritize Xfinity for broad coverage, then compare upload speeds against AT&T at your address.
Consistency and upload speed matter more than peak download claims during work hours.
Check first: Check installation lead times and modem/router fees before choosing a plan.
Internet Providers by ZIP Code in Charleston
South of Broad 29401
Xfinity is currently the strongest option for Broad cable availability.
Xfinity reaches about 56% with its 1,200 Mbps cable tier and about 30% with 2,000 Mbps.
Wagener Terrace 29403
Xfinity is currently the strongest option for High-speed cable.
Xfinity's 1,200 Mbps tier reaches about 34%, while its 2,000 Mbps tier reaches about 34%.
West Ashley 29407
WOW Internet, Cable & Phone is currently the strongest option for Cable performance.
WOW reaches about 54% with 1,200 Mbps cable, ahead of AT&T fiber at about 23%.
ZIP 29412
AT&T is currently the strongest option for Fiber speed.
AT&T fiber reaches about 71% here with 5,000/5,000 Mbps, while Xfinity reaches about 16% with 2,000 Mbps.
Internet providers near Charleston
Coverage can change completely a few miles down the road. If you’re moving to or shopping just outside Charleston, check the neighboring market directly.
Charleston Internet FAQs
Who is the best internet provider in Charleston, SC?
Xfinity is the best overall provider, with cable up to 2,000 Mbps reaching about 30% of Charleston and an overall footprint near 91%. AT&T is faster where available, offering 5,000/5,000 Mbps fiber to about 36% of the city.
What is the fastest internet in Charleston, SC?
AT&T has the fastest service where available: 5,000/5,000 Mbps fiber reaches about 36% of Charleston. Xfinity is the best overall choice, with 2,000 Mbps cable reaching about 30%, so verify which technology serves your address.
Which internet provider covers the most of Charleston, SC?
Xfinity covers the largest non-satellite footprint, reaching about 91% of Charleston overall. Satellite providers are available everywhere, while Xfinity's broadly available cable tiers reach about 91% and its 2,000 Mbps tier reaches about 30%.
What is the cheapest internet plan in Charleston, SC?
WOW Internet, Cable & Phone Fiber 300 is the cheapest plan at a $25/mo promotional starting rate for 300 Mbps, reaching about 65% of Charleston. Check the address because that plan's availability follows WOW's local footprint.
Can I get fiber internet in Charleston?
AT&T fiber reaches about 42% of Charleston for its 1,000 Mbps tier, while its 5,000/5,000 Mbps tier reaches about 36%. Home Telecom also offers 1,000/1,000 Mbps fiber to about 10%, so availability requires an address check.
What internet speed do I need in Charleston?
A 300 Mbps plan is a practical starting point for many Charleston households, and Xfinity's 300 Mbps tier reaches about 91% of the city. Larger shared households, streamers, and remote workers should check 1,000 Mbps or faster options where their technology reaches.
Is fiber internet available in South of Broad?
AT&T fiber reaches about 7% of ZIP 29401 at 1,000 Mbps and about 7% at 5,000/5,000 Mbps. Xfinity has broader South of Broad cable availability, so compare both technologies at the exact address.
How We Analyze Internet in Charleston
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 Charleston report service availability from each provider.
Data Coverage for Charleston
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.