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AT&TvsWOW

AT&T vs WOW in Charleston

Charleston shoppers trade WOW’s lower price and wider fast-plan access against AT&T’s much stronger fiber download and upload performance.

The 30-Second VerdictUpdated September 21, 2026

WOW is the better overall pick because its lower starting price and broader access to its 1,200/50 Mbps plan make it easier to get solid value in Charleston. AT&T wins on speed, offering fiber up to 5,000/5,000 Mbps where available, while AT&T also wins on overall city reach at about 86% versus WOW at about 65%. WOW wins on price at $25/mo versus AT&T at $35/mo. Choose AT&T for demanding households and upload-heavy work; choose WOW for budget-conscious users who want capable cable service.

At a glance

AT&T vs. WOW, side by side.

ProviderTypeTop speedCity coverageStarting priceBest for
AT&TAT&T Fiber 5 Gig
5 Gig upload
86% $35/moTop fiber speeds
WOWWOW Cable 1 Gig
50 Mbps upload
65% $25/moBudget-friendly

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.

View
Showing the provider with the faster available plan in each ZIP. Click any ZIP for the breakdown.

Neighborhood breakdown

The head-to-head can shift by ZIP and neighborhood because coverage varies block to block in Charleston. AT&T reaches about 86% of the city overall, while its 5,000/5,000 Mbps fiber tier reaches about 36%; WOW reaches about 65% overall and its 1,200/50 Mbps tier reaches about 65%.

ZIPNeighborhoodsCoverageTop speedRank scoreWinner
AT&TWOWAT&TWOWAT&TWOW
29407 West Ashley, South Windermere, Avondale, Byrnes Downs 24%91%5 Gig1 Gig2361 WOW
29412 James Island, Riverland Terrace, Fort Johnson, Stiles Point 71%86%5 Gig1 Gig6957 AT&T
29414 West Ashley, Shadowmoss, Grand Oaks, Carolina Bay 50%67%5 Gig1 Gig4944 AT&T
29406 North Charleston, Deer Park, Charleston Farms 15%82%5 Gig1 Gig1554 WOW
29403 Hampton Park Terrace, North Central, Wagener Terrace, Cannonborough-Elliotborough 32%17%5 Gig1 Gig3111 AT&T
29492 Daniel Island, Cainhoy, Clements Ferry Road 65%0%5 Gig—63— AT&T
29401 South of Broad, French Quarter, Harleston Village, Ansonborough 18%1%5 Gig1 Gig170 AT&T
29417 West Ashley (PO Box) 42%92%5 Gig1 Gig4161 WOW
29416 West Ashley (PO Box) 12%93%5 Gig1 Gig1162 WOW
29422 James Island (PO Box) 34%72%5 Gig1 Gig3348 WOW
29424 College of Charleston 3%0%5 Gig—3— AT&T
29413 Charleston (general delivery / PO Box) 23%0%5 Gig—22— AT&T

Rank score (0–100) is each provider’s Speed Score, discounted for weak upload, times the share of that ZIP it reaches — the same rule that orders providers on the Charleston city page, so it moves as availability changes street to street.

Which is better for…

The right pick comes down to what you actually do online.

Gaming
AT&T
AT&T’s fiber tier reaches up to 5,000/5,000 Mbps where available, giving gaming households much more upload capacity than WOW’s 1,200/50 Mbps cable tier. Check whether AT&T fiber reaches your address.
Streaming
AT&T
AT&T offers up to 5,000/5,000 Mbps on fiber where available, which gives a household more room for several 4K streams and other activity at once. WOW’s 1,200/50 Mbps tier is still ample for ordinary streaming.
Video calls
AT&T
AT&T wins because its fiber tier offers 5,000 Mbps upload where available, compared with WOW’s 50 Mbps upload. That larger upload gap gives AT&T more room for simultaneous meetings, cloud backups, and screen sharing.
Just the basics
WOW
WOW is the cheaper, simpler pick at a $25/mo starting price, and its 1,200/50 Mbps cable tier is enough for browsing, email, and routine streaming. Confirm availability at the address before ordering.

Get connected

Pick your provider and check availability at your address.

Top speed5 Gig
Upload5 Gig
Coverage86%
From$35/mo
  • 5 Gig down · 5 Gig up Fiber
  • 1 Gig down · 1 Gig up Fiber
  • 100 Mbps down · 20 Mbps up Copper
Top speed1 Gig
Upload50 Mbps
Coverage65%
From$25/mo
  • 1 Gig down · 50 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 address
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Frequently asked questions

Is AT&T or WOW available at my Charleston address?

AT&T reaches about 86% of Charleston overall, while WOW reaches about 65%. Availability can change from one block to the next, so check your exact address for service and the available technology before signing up.

Which is cheaper in Charleston, AT&T or WOW, and what will I actually pay?

WOW starts at $25/mo, compared with AT&T at $35/mo. These are promotional starting rates, so confirm the post-promo rate, equipment fees, and any contract before signing; then choose based on the full terms for your address.

Which is faster for gaming, working from home, or 4K streaming?

AT&T is faster where available, with a 5,000/5,000 Mbps fiber tier reaching about 36% of the city, while WOW offers 1,200/50 Mbps reaching about 65%. Check your address for the actual tier available and choose AT&T if upload capacity matters most.

More Charleston comparisons

How Charleston’s other qualifying providers stack up head-to-head.

How we compare. Coverage is the share of a ZIP where a provider offers a genuinely good plan (≥ 1 Gbps download, ≥ 20 Mbps upload, non-satellite), from FCC Broadband Map serviceability data. “Fastest available” ranks the providers present in a ZIP by top advertised download speed. Pricing reflects current promotional starting rates. Provider order and each ZIP’s winner follow the site’s one ranking rule (Speed Score, discounted for weak upload, times coverage); read the full methodology.