Best Internet Providers in Gastonia, NC (2026)
Gastonia residents can choose from 9 internet providers including fiber, cable, 5G, and satellite options. Spectrum and AT&T lead with the widest wired coverage.
Check availability now: 1-855-850-5977 (AT&T) | 1-844-481-5997 (Spectrum)
Quick Answer: Best Internet in Gastonia
Spectrum is the top overall pick for Gastonia with 79.4% coverage, no contracts, and speeds up to 1 Gbps. AT&T Fiber is best for speed with plans up to 5 Gbps across 75.7% of the city.
- Best overall: Spectrum - cable speeds up to 1 Gbps, no contract
- Best for speed: AT&T Fiber - up to 5 Gbps symmetric
- Best budget: T-Mobile 5G Home - from $40/mo, no data cap
- Best rural option: HughesNet/Viasat satellite - 100% coverage
Gastonia Internet Providers at a Glance
| Provider | Technology | Max Speed | Starting Price | Data Cap | Contract | Call to Order |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spectrum | Cable | 1 Gbps | $49.99/mo | None | None | 1-844-481-5997 |
| AT&T Internet | Fiber / DSL | 5 Gbps | $55/mo | None (Fiber) | None | 1-855-850-5977 |
| T-Mobile | 5G / Fixed Wireless | 245 Mbps | $40/mo | None | None | 1-844-275-9311 |
| Verizon 5G Home | 5G | 1 Gbps | $45/mo | None | None | 1-855-387-1456 |
| Windstream | Fiber / DSL | 1 Gbps | $39.99/mo | None (Fiber) | None | 1-855-463-4357 |
| Google Fiber | Fiber | 8 Gbps | $70/mo | None | None | Online only |
| HughesNet | Satellite | 100 Mbps | $49.99/mo | 100-200 GB | None | 1-855-543-5405 |
| Viasat | Satellite | 150 Mbps | $49.99/mo | Varies | 24 mo | 1-855-463-9333 |
| Starlink | Satellite | 220 Mbps | $120/mo | Prioritized | None | Online only |
Top Internet Providers in Gastonia, NC
Spectrum - Best Overall in Gastonia
Spectrum covers 79.4% of Gastonia with cable speeds up to 1 Gbps. No contracts, no data caps, and free modem included. Plans start at $49.99/mo for 300 Mbps.
Plans: Internet 300 ($49.99/mo) | Internet 500 ($69.99/mo) | Internet Gig ($89.99/mo)
Choose if: You want reliable cable with no contract. Avoid if: You need upload speeds above 35 Mbps.
Order: 1-844-481-5997
AT&T Fiber - Fastest in Gastonia
AT&T Fiber reaches 75.7% of Gastonia with symmetric speeds up to 5 Gbps. No data caps on fiber plans, and prices are locked for 12 months with no annual contract.
Plans: Fiber 300 ($55/mo) | Fiber 500 ($65/mo) | Fiber 1 Gig ($80/mo) | Fiber 5 Gig ($180/mo)
Choose if: You need fast upload speeds or work from home. Avoid if: Your address only qualifies for DSL.
Order: 1-855-850-5977
T-Mobile 5G Home Internet - Best Budget
T-Mobile covers 74% of Gastonia with 5G and fixed wireless at a flat $40/mo with AutoPay. No data caps, no contracts, and easy plug-and-play setup.
Plans: Home Internet ($40/mo, up to 245 Mbps) | All-In Pricing ($50/mo, with Netflix)
Choose if: You want the lowest monthly bill with solid speeds. Avoid if: You need guaranteed high speeds for competitive gaming.
Order: 1-844-275-9311
Windstream Kinetic - Fiber Alternative
Windstream provides fiber and DSL to 16.2% of Gastonia. Kinetic Fiber plans start at $39.99/mo with symmetric speeds and no data caps. A solid option where available.
Plans: Kinetic 500 ($39.99/mo) | Kinetic Gig ($59.99/mo)
Choose if: You want affordable fiber. Avoid if: You can only get their DSL service.
Order: 1-855-463-4357
Speed and Price Comparison
| Speed Tier | Spectrum | AT&T | T-Mobile | Windstream | Verizon 5G |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100-300 Mbps | $49.99 | $55 | $40 | - | $45 |
| 300-500 Mbps | $69.99 | $65 | - | $39.99 | - |
| 500 Mbps-1 Gig | $89.99 | $80 | - | $59.99 | $60 |
| 1-5 Gbps | - | $150-180 | - | - | - |
Speed recommendations: 100 Mbps for 1-2 users, 300 Mbps for families of 3-5, 500+ Mbps for heavy streaming and remote work, 1 Gbps+ for large households or home offices.
Internet in Gastonia: Local Market Overview
Gastonia (pop. 80,411) sits in Gaston County, part of the Charlotte metro area. The city benefits from strong infrastructure investment driven by proximity to Charlotte, with AT&T and Google Fiber both expanding fiber networks. Most neighborhoods in central Gastonia have at least two wired options.
Competition between Spectrum cable and AT&T Fiber keeps prices competitive. The western Gaston County areas around Crowders Mountain may rely more on fixed wireless or satellite where cable lines end.
Coverage by Neighborhood
- Downtown Gastonia: Spectrum, AT&T Fiber, Google Fiber
- Westover/Highland: Spectrum, AT&T Fiber, T-Mobile 5G
- Ranlo/Lowell area: Spectrum, Windstream Fiber
- Crowders Mountain: AT&T DSL, T-Mobile, satellite
Nearby Cities
Internet Speed Requirements for Gastonia Households
The speed you need in Gastonia depends on how many people and devices use your connection simultaneously. A single person streaming video and browsing the web can get by with 50-100 Mbps. A household of 2-3 people with regular streaming and video calls should target 200-300 Mbps. Larger families with 4 or more heavy users benefit from 500 Mbps to 1 Gbps plans, especially when multiple people are streaming in 4K, gaming online, or working from home at the same time.
Upload speed matters just as much as download speed for Gastonia residents who work remotely. Video conferencing platforms like Zoom and Teams require at least 5 Mbps upload for stable HD video, and 10 Mbps or more for group calls with screen sharing. If multiple household members participate in video calls simultaneously, ensure your plan provides at least 20-25 Mbps upload speed. Fiber plans offer the best upload performance with symmetrical speeds.
How to Choose an Internet Provider in Gastonia
Start by checking which providers actually serve your specific address in Gastonia, as coverage can vary significantly even within the same city. Enter your address on each provider's website or use our comparison tool to see all available options. Compare the actual speeds offered at your address, not just the provider's maximum advertised speed, since availability of faster tiers depends on local infrastructure.
Beyond speed, compare the total monthly cost including equipment rental fees, installation charges, and price increases after promotional periods end. Providers in Gastonia, North Carolina may offer different promotions depending on the season and competition in your area. Ask about no-contract options to maintain flexibility, and check whether a provider requires a credit check, as some offer prepaid alternatives. Reading recent customer reviews specific to Gastonia gives the most relevant picture of service quality and reliability in your neighborhood.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fastest internet in Gastonia, NC?
AT&T Fiber and Google Fiber both offer speeds up to 5 Gbps in parts of Gastonia. Spectrum cable reaches up to 1 Gbps across most of the city.
What is the cheapest internet in Gastonia?
T-Mobile 5G Home Internet starts at $40/mo with no data caps. Spectrum offers plans from $49.99/mo with no contract required.
Is fiber internet available in Gastonia, NC?
Yes. AT&T Fiber covers about 75.7% of Gastonia, Windstream Fiber covers 16.2%, and Google Fiber is expanding with 9.8% coverage.
Does Gastonia have 5G home internet?
Yes. T-Mobile 5G covers 74% of Gastonia and Verizon 5G Home covers 32.2% of the city.
Who has the best internet in Gastonia for streaming?
Spectrum and AT&T Fiber are the top choices for streaming in Gastonia. Both offer unlimited data and speeds well above the 25 Mbps minimum for 4K streaming.
Learn More About Internet in North Carolina
Last updated: February 7, 2026.
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