Internet Access in North Carolina

North Carolina is ranked as the 18th-best state in terms of broadband coverage in the U.S.  With the rest of the country averaging 25% access to fiber-optic internet services, North Carolina does well with 33.1% having access. The average state-wide download speed hovers at 115.5 Mbps, which is similar to download speeds in Michigan, Nevada, and Alabama. More than 95% of North Carolinians have access to a wired connection with speeds of 25 Mbps or higher, while just under 110,000 people are left without a wired connection at their homes.

Speed for Major providers in North Carolina
Major Providers

1000 Mbps

1000 Mbps

940 Mbps

940 Mbps

940 Mbps

Avg Download Speed
<< Scroll Left >>
89.50%

Terrestrial Broadband Coverage

46.80%

Wired Low Price Plan Access

66.3

Mbps Average State Wide Speed

18th

State Broadband Access Ranking

94.2%

of North Carolinians have access to broadband 100mbps or faster.

98.9%

of North Carolinians have access to wireline service.

Internet Speed in Top North Carolina Cities
Top Cities
Avg Download Speed
No. Of Providers

Charlotte

99.2 MBPS

32 Providers

Raleigh

118.0 MBPS

21 Providers

Greensboro

93.2 MBPS

17 Providers

Durham

107.5 MBPS

19 Providers

Winston Salem

101.1 MBPS

18 Providers

The State of Broadband

North Carolina is ranked as the 18th-best state in terms of broadband coverage in the U.S.  With the rest of the country averaging 25% access to fiber-optic internet services, North Carolina does well with 33.1% having access. The average state-wide download speed hovers at 115.5 Mbps, which is similar to download speeds in Michigan, Nevada, and Alabama. More than 95% of North Carolinians have access to a wired connection with speeds of 25 Mbps or higher, while just under 110,000 people are left without a wired connection at their homes.

The Digital Divide

North Carolina has 173 internet providers while over 800,00 people have access to only one provider, limiting their choice. The state offers 46.8% of its population access to a low-priced internet plan of equal to or less than $60 per month, which is lower than the national average of 51.5%.

Best-Connected Cities

In general, North Carolinians are relatively well-connected. Cary, Charlotte, Greensboro, Raleigh, and Winston Salem are considered to have the best broadband speed in the state.

Worst-Connected Cities

Conversely, Little Switzerland, Linville Falls, Balsam, Maury, and Hamilton have the lowest connectivity rating in the state.

Governmental Initiatives

Since 2010, over $6.6 million in federal grants has been awarded to the North Carolina Department of Commerce to put toward gathering broadband data and funding development, while there are state initiatives to connect every person in North Carolina to broadband service, if they so choose, by June 2021.