Best Internet Providers in Wilmington, North Carolina
What is the best internet provider in Wilmington?
According to CNET, AT&T Fiber is the best internet provider in Wilmingtonwith fast, symmetrical upload and download speeds, competitive pricing and clear terms of service including unlimited data and free equipment rental.
It also has the fastest internet plan in Wilmington, with multi-gigabit speeds of up to 5,000 megabits per second starting at $245 per month. While that may be more than most are willing to spend, AT&T Fiber offers a range of other plans priced between $55 and $145 per month.
Other local providers, like Spectrum, offer more affordable options, with Spectrum’s plan starting at just $30 per month for download speeds of up to 100 Mbps, making it a strong contender for the best budget internet plan. Fixed wireless providers like T-Mobile Home Internet, US Cellular, and Verizon 5G Home Internet also start at $50 per month, but can’t match Spectrum for speed and reliability.
Best internet in Wilmington, North Carolina
Internet providers in Wilmington compared
| Supplier | Internet technology | Monthly price range | Speed range | Monthly equipment costs | Data limit | Contract | CNET Review Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T Read the full review | DSL, fiber optic | $55 DSL, $55-$245 Fiber | 10-100 Mbps DSL, 300-5,000 Mbps fiber | No | 1.5 TB DSL, no fiber | No | 7.4 |
| Spectrum Read the full review | Cable | $30-$70 | 100-1,000 Mbps | Free modem, $10 router rental (optional) | No | No | 7.2 |
| T-Mobile Home Internet Read the full review | Fixed wireless connection | $50 ($40 with qualifying mobile plans) | 72-245 Mbps | No | No | No | 7.4 |
| American cell phone | Fixed wireless connection | $50 | 45-195 Mbps | Differs | 600GB | n/a | |
| Verizon 5G Home Internet Read the full review | Fixed wireless connection | $50-$70 ($35-$45 for eligible Verizon Wireless customers) | 50-1,000 Mbps | No | No | No | 7.2 |
| Sterlink Read the full review | Low Orbit Satellite | $120; $140-$500 (Priority); $150-$5,000 (Mobile) | 100-220 Mbps | $499 one-time purchase | Unlimited; 1TB-5TB (Priority) | No | n/a |
| Viasat Read the full review | Satellite | $99 | 25-150 Mbps | One time purchase of $15 or $250 | 850GB | 2 years | 6.1 |
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Source: CNET analysis of carrier data.
What is the cheapest internet plan in Wilmington?
| Plan | Starting price | Maximum download speed | Monthly equipment costs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spectrum Internet Read the full review | $30 | 100 Mbps | Free modem, $10 router rental (optional) |
| Spectrum Internet Read the full review | $50 | 500 Mbps | Free modem, $10 router rental (optional) |
| T-Mobile Home Internet Read the full review | $50 ($30 with qualifying mobile plans) | 72-245 Mbps | No |
| Verizon 5G Home Internet Read the full review | $50 ($35 with qualifying mobile plans) | 50-300 Mbps | No |
| American cell phone | $50 | 25-100 Mbps | Differs |
| AT&T Fiber 300 Read the full review | $55 | 300 Mbps | No |
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Source: CNET analysis of carrier data.
How to Find Online Deals and Promotions in Wilmington
The best internet deals and top promotions in Wilmington depend on what discounts are available during that period. Most deals are short-lived, but we regularly search for the latest offers.
Wilmington internet providers, such as Spectrum, may offer lower introductory prices for a limited time. Many providers, including AT&T Fiber, T-Mobile Home Internet, and Verizon 5G Home Internet, maintain the same standard prices year-round.
For a more comprehensive overview of all promotions, check out our guide to the best online deals.
Fastest Internet Plans in Wilmington
| Plan | Starting price | Maximum download speed | Maximum upload speed | Data limit | Connection type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T Internet 5000 Read the full review | $245 | 5,000 Mbps | 5,000 Mbps | No | Fiber |
| AT&T Internet 2000 Read the full review | $145 | 2,000 Mbps | 2,000 Mbps | No | Fiber |
| Spectrum Internet Gig Read the full review | $70 | 1,000 Mbps | 35 Mbps | No | Cable |
| AT&T Internet 1000 Read the full review | $80 | 1,000 Mbps | 1,000 Mbps | No | Fiber |
| Verizon 5G Home Plus Internet Read the full review | $70 ($45 for eligible Verizon Wireless customers) | 85-1,000 Mbps | 50-75 Mbps | No | Fixed wireless connection |
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Source: CNET analysis of carrier data.
What is a good internet speed?
Most internet plans now can handle basic productivity and communication tasks. If you’re looking for an internet plan that’s suitable for video conferencing, streaming video, or gaming, you’ll have a better experience with a more robust connection. Here’s a look at the recommended minimum download speeds for different applications, according to the Federal Communication CommissionPlease note that these are guidelines only and that Internet speed, service and performance vary by connection type, provider and address.
For more information, check out our guide to how much internet speed you really need.
- With 0 to 5 Mbps you can perform basic tasks: surfing the web, sending and receiving email, and streaming low-quality videos.
- 5 to 40 Mbps gives you higher quality video streaming and video conferencing.
- 40 to 100 Mbps should provide enough bandwidth for a single user to meet the demands of modern teleworking, video streaming, and online gaming.
- With 100 to 500 Mbps, one or two users can simultaneously participate in high-bandwidth activities such as video conferencing, streaming, and online gaming.
- With 500 to 1,000 Mbps, three or more users can participate in high-bandwidth activities simultaneously.
How CNET Chose the Best Internet Providers in Wilmington
Internet service providers are numerous and regional. Unlike the latest smartphone, laptop, router, or kitchen utensil, it’s impractical to personally test every ISP in a given city. So how do we do it? We start by examining pricing, availability, and speed information based on our own historical ISP data, provider sites, and mapping information from the Federal Communications Commission at FCC.gov.
And it doesn’t stop there: We go to the FCC website to check our data and make sure we account for every ISP that offers service in an area. We also enter local addresses into carrier websites to find specific options for residents. We look at sources including the American Customer Satisfaction Index and J.D. Power to evaluate how satisfied customers are with an ISP’s service. ISP plans and pricing are subject to frequent change; all information provided is accurate at the time of publication.
Once we have this localized information, we ask ourselves three main questions:
- Does the provider offer access to reasonably fast internet speeds?
- Do customers get value for their money?
- Are customers satisfied with their service?
While the answers to these questions are often layered and complex, the providers that come closest to “yes” to all three questions are the ones we recommend. When selecting the cheapest internet service, we look for the plans with the lowest monthly fees, though we also consider things like price increases, equipment costs, and contracts. Choosing the fastest internet service is relatively simple. We look at advertised upload and download speeds, and consider real-world speed data from sources like Ookla And FCC Reports.
If you would like to take a more detailed look at our process, please visit our How We Test ISPs page.
Frequently Asked Questions About Internet Providers in Wilmington
What is the best internet provider in Wilmington?
AT&T Fiber is the best internet provider in Wilmington because of its fast, symmetrical speeds, favorable service terms (free devices, unlimited data, no contracts), and high customer satisfaction.
Spectrum is a close second to AT&T Fiber in Wilmington. The area’s largest cable internet provider is available to more local households than AT&T Fiber and has a lower starting price of $30 to $50 per month. Spectrum’s affordable plans also offer faster peak download speeds than similarly priced AT&T Fiber plans, 500 Mbps compared to 300 Mbps.
Is fiber optic internet available in Wilmington?
Yes. According to the most recent FCC data, about one-third of homes in Wilmington have fiber internet. Coverage is strongest in the neighborhoods of South Oleander, Princess Place, and Pine Valley Estates, but fiber can be found in random areas throughout the city. AT&T Fiber is Wilmington’s largest and, in fact, only fiber internet provider.
Who is the cheapest internet provider in Wilmington?
Spectrum has the cheapest plan in Wilmington, starting at just $30. T-Mobile Home Internet, US Cellular, and Verizon 5G Home Internet all have plans starting at $50 per month. Spectrum offers the fastest download speeds, up to 1000 Mbps. Equipment rental, while optional, adds $10 to your monthly bill with Spectrum, while T-Mobile Home Internet and Verizon 5G Home Internet include equipment rental at no additional charge.
Which internet provider in Wilmington offers the fastest plan?
AT&T Fiber offers the fastest internet plan in Wilmington with speeds up to 5,000 Mbps starting at $245 per month. The service comes with the unique fiber advantage of symmetrical upload and download speeds, a benefit not available with cable internet like Spectrum or fixed wireless internet.
