Best Internet Providers in Charleston, SC
Compare 10 internet providers serving 132,609 Charleston residents. Find cable, fiber, 5G, and satellite plans with speeds up to 5 Gbps.
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Xfinity 1-844-963-0138Quick Answer: Best Internet in Charleston
Xfinity is the best internet provider in Charleston for most residents, with cable and fiber coverage reaching 69% of addresses and plans starting at $25/month. AT&T Fiber is the premium pick for symmetrical speeds, covering about 67% of the city. WOW! Internet adds a third wired option in select neighborhoods, and T-Mobile 5G provides a strong wireless alternative.
Key Takeaways
- Best overall: Xfinity with wide coverage and plans from $25/mo
- Best for speed: AT&T Fiber up to 5 Gbps symmetrical
- Best alternative: WOW! Internet with no data caps
- Best wireless: T-Mobile 5G at $40-50/mo, no contract
- 10 providers: Highly competitive Lowcountry market
Charleston Internet Providers Comparison
Verified providers serving Charleston as of February 2026. Coverage based on FCC broadband data.
| Provider | Technology | Max Speed | Starting Price | Data Cap | Contract | Call Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xfinity | Cable/Fiber | 2 Gbps | $25/mo | 1.2 TB | No | 1-844-963-0138 |
| AT&T Internet | Fiber/DSL | 5 Gbps | $55/mo | None (Fiber) | No | 1-855-850-5977 |
| T-Mobile 5G | 5G/Fixed Wireless | 245 Mbps | $40/mo | None | No | 1-844-275-9311 |
| WOW! Internet | Cable/Fiber | 1 Gbps | $30/mo | None | No | 1-855-496-9929 |
| Verizon Fios/5G | Fiber/5G | 1 Gbps | $35/mo* | None | No | 1-855-387-1456 |
| Spectrum | Cable | 1 Gbps | $30/mo** | None | No | 1-844-481-5997 |
| Starlink | LEO Satellite | 250 Mbps | $120/mo | Soft cap | No | Online only |
| HughesNet | Satellite | 100 Mbps | $39.99/mo | Limited | 2-year | 1-855-543-5405 |
| Viasat | Satellite | 150 Mbps | $39.99/mo | Unlimited*** | No | 1-855-463-9333 |
*Verizon pricing with mobile bundle. **Spectrum first-year promotional pricing. ***Viasat Unleashed plan.
Charleston Internet Providers: Detailed Reviews
Xfinity Internet in Charleston
~69% CoverageXfinity is the most widely available cable provider in Charleston, with speeds up to 2 Gbps. Plans start at $25/month for 75 Mbps, making Xfinity the most affordable entry point. A 1.2 TB data cap applies to most plans, though unlimited data is $30/month extra.
Xfinity Charleston Plans
- Connect: 75 Mbps - $25/mo
- Fast: 400 Mbps - $65/mo
- Gigabit: 1 Gbps - $80/mo
Choose Xfinity If:
- You want the most affordable entry-level plan
- You prefer bundling internet with TV and mobile
- You need speeds up to 2 Gbps on their fiber network
Avoid Xfinity If:
- The 1.2 TB data cap is a concern for heavy usage
- You want symmetrical upload speeds
AT&T Fiber Internet in Charleston
~67% CoverageAT&T Fiber delivers symmetrical speeds up to 5 Gbps in Charleston with no data caps. Coverage reaches about 67% of the city, ideal for the growing tech workforce and remote professionals in the Lowcountry.
Choose AT&T Fiber If:
- You need symmetrical upload and download speeds
- You want no data caps on your connection
- You work from home with heavy video conferencing
Avoid AT&T If:
- Only DSL is available at your address
- You need the absolute lowest starting price
WOW! Internet in Charleston
~30% CoverageWOW! Internet offers cable and fiber service in parts of Charleston with no data caps and no contracts. Plans start at $30/month for 300 Mbps, making WOW! a competitive alternative to Xfinity in the areas it serves.
Choose WOW! If:
- Available at your address and you want no data caps
- You prefer a local alternative to the big cable brands
Avoid WOW! If:
- Coverage is limited; always check availability first
Charleston Internet Speeds and Prices
| Speed Tier | Xfinity | AT&T | WOW! | Spectrum |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 300 Mbps | $50/mo | $55/mo | $30/mo | $30/mo* |
| 500 Mbps | $65/mo | $65/mo | $50/mo | $70/mo |
| 1 Gbps | $80/mo | $80/mo | $70/mo | $90/mo |
*Spectrum first-year promotional rate. Prices subject to change.
How Much Speed Do You Need?
- 1-2 people, light use: 100-300 Mbps for streaming and browsing
- 3-5 people, moderate use: 500 Mbps for multiple devices
- Heavy use / work from home: 1 Gbps for demanding applications
Learn more in our internet speed guide.
Internet Service in Charleston: What You Need to Know
Charleston at a Glance
- Population: 132,609
- CBSA: 16700 (Charleston-North Charleston)
- Major industries: Tourism, Military, Healthcare, Tech
- Wired providers: Xfinity, AT&T, WOW!, Spectrum
Charleston's booming tech sector and growing population have attracted heavy broadband investment. Competition between Xfinity, AT&T Fiber, and WOW! keeps prices competitive. The Charleston Digital Corridor has further accelerated connectivity investment across the peninsula and surrounding areas.
Outer areas like James Island, Johns Island, and West Ashley have varying coverage. AT&T and Xfinity lead in the urban core, while satellite and 5G fill gaps in more rural parts of the metro.
Internet by Charleston Neighborhood
- Downtown/Peninsula: Strong coverage from Xfinity, AT&T, and WOW!
- Mount Pleasant: Xfinity and AT&T primary; WOW! expanding
- West Ashley: Spectrum and Xfinity cable with some AT&T fiber
- James Island: Xfinity primary; T-Mobile 5G available
Frequently Asked Questions About Charleston Internet
What is the best internet provider in Charleston, SC?
Xfinity is the best overall with 69% coverage and plans from $25/month. AT&T Fiber is the premium choice for symmetrical speeds where available.
Is fiber internet available in Charleston?
Yes, AT&T Fiber covers about 67% of Charleston. Xfinity and WOW! offer fiber in select areas. Verizon Fios serves about 30% of the city.
How much does internet cost in Charleston?
Prices range from $25/month for Xfinity Connect to $120/month for Starlink. Most pay $50-80/month for 300 Mbps to 1 Gbps.
Is 5G home internet available in Charleston?
Yes, T-Mobile 5G covers about 69% at $40-50/month. Verizon 5G Home is available in about 30% of the city.
Which is better in Charleston: Xfinity or AT&T?
AT&T Fiber is better for symmetrical speeds and no data caps. Xfinity offers wider coverage and lower introductory prices but has a 1.2 TB data cap.
About the Author
Last Updated: February 7, 2026
Our team regularly reviews and updates this guide. Provider availability and pricing are verified quarterly using FCC data.
Editorial Disclosure
InternetProviders.ai is committed to providing accurate, unbiased information to help you choose the right internet service. Some of the providers listed on this page are partners who compensate us when you sign up through our links or phone numbers. This compensation may affect the order in which providers appear but does not influence our ratings or recommendations. Our editorial team independently researches each provider. For more information, see our editorial guidelines and how we make money.
Internet Speed Requirements for Charleston Households
The speed you need in Charleston 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 Charleston 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.