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Internet providers in Asheville, NC

Published 4:43 pm ET Jun 19

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A picturesque town nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville, North Carolina, is a haven for nature lovers, beer enthusiasts and travelers of all kinds. Its bustling and vibrant downtown area is only a stone’s throw from the Blue Ridge Parkway, one of the most scenic routes in the country.

With so much to enjoy, it’s no wonder far more people move to Asheville than move away. However, with a fast-growing population come more residents in search of fast, reliable home internet. If you’re new to Asheville, don’t worry — there are several great options for home Wi-Fi in the city and surrounding area. Prices start as low as $49.99/mo.

Here, we’ll break down the best options for internet service providers in Asheville by comparing speeds, prices, plan options and more.

Best internet providers in Asheville, NC

Asheville internet comparison

Asheville locals can find an internet plan to fit any home Wi-Fi habits. Whether you only email and browse or stream in 4K on 10 devices, there are options to suit your needs. Internet providers in Asheville offer a wide range of connection speeds, with fiber plans of up to 5 GB in some areas. 

The following table provides an overview of our top five picks for Asheville internet providers.

ProviderStarting price range*Download speed rangeConnection type
Spectrum$49.99–$79.99/mo.300–1,000 MbpsCable
AT&T$55–$245/mo.300–5,000 MbpsFiber
T-Mobile Home Internet$60/mo.72–245 MbpsFixed wireless
EarthLink$59.95–$189.95/mo.100–5,000 MbpsFiber, fixed wireless, satellite
Viasat$49.99–$249.99/mo.50–150 MbpsSatellite
*Pricing per month plus taxes for length of contract. Additional fees and terms may apply. Pricing varies by location and availability. All prices subject to change at any time. May or may not be available based on service address. Price may include autopay and paperless billing discounts. Speeds may vary. As of 1/18/24.

Methodology

We rated the largest internet providers in the U.S. for 2024. Each provider was rated on a scale of 1 to 5 based on over a dozen factors, including speed, cost, availability, fees, customer satisfaction, connection type and more. We also used data from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to compare the average speed offered by internet companies in the U.S. to set a baseline for what is considered a good internet speed. Additionally, we analyzed data from the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) to understand how each internet service provider (ISP) fares in customer service and perceived value. 

How to choose a provider in Asheville, NC

Wherever you live in or around Asheville, you can find an internet plan. Connection types and speeds vary by location, but your home internet experience depends largely on the following factors:

  • Finding a price that fits your budget: Every home Wi-Fi plan has an advertised price, but you should expect to pay more. In the fine print, you may find equipment fees, installation charges and price increases after an introductory period. Be sure to review all costs to confirm the plan is in your price range.
  • Matching connection speed with your internet habits: Choosing the right internet plan is about balancing budget and speed. If you want to game online, stream in 4K and/or connect more than 10 devices, you’ll pay more for gigabit internet plans. However, 200–400 Mbps is more than enough for basic streaming and browsing on a few devices at once — and it could save you a lot of money.
  • Finding extra perks and ways to save: Asheville internet providers often offer bundling discounts and internet deals like free streaming services or retailer gift cards. Be sure to compare these perks to find the best value in your home internet plan.

Asheville internet provider reviews

Spectrum – Best high-speed coverage

Spectrum covers 88% of Asheville, making it the top choice for many homes that need a high-speed connection of 300 Mbps or more. The company doesn’t require contracts, and its plans have no data caps. It’s not as fast as fiber options in the area, but Spectrum is one of the most reliable choices for fast home internet. Beware of price jumps after the first year, however.

Overall score: 3.9 out of 5.

Read our full Spectrum review.

AT&T – Best fiber internet

AT&T is available to about three-quarters of homes in the Asheville area. While that’s mostly fiber, AT&T is still limited to DSL in some parts of the city. Its fiber plans are among the best, however, with symmetrical upload and download speeds of up to 5 GB and no data caps or contracts. The company consistently scores high marks for customer service, making it one of our top picks wherever it’s available.

Overall score: 4.1 out of 5.

Read our full AT&T review

T-Mobile Home Internet – Best 5G internet

T-Mobile has the largest 5G network in the U.S., and it offers fixed wireless service to roughly two-thirds of Asheville residents. Download speeds are as fast as 245 Mbps, and there are no data caps or additional monthly fees. You’ll pay a one-time setup charge of $35, and you can save big by bundling with T-Mobile cellular service.

Overall score: 4.1 out of 5.

Read our full T-Mobile review.

EarthLink is a lesser-known home internet provider, but its services are available in 48 states. Because the company borrows service lines from other providers, it offers fiber, fixed wireless and satellite service in markets like Asheville. There are no data caps, and connection speeds reach up to 5 GB in some areas. EarthLink plans can be expensive, but prices don’t increase after the first year as they do with other providers.

Overall score: 3.75 out of 5.

Read our full EarthLink review.

Viasat – Best satellite internet

Viasat has some of the most expansive coverage in the country, with satellite plans available almost everywhere. Service requires a satellite dish on your property, and download speeds won’t reach any higher than 150 Mbps. Still, for many rural customers around Asheville, Viasat is the best option.

Overall score: 2.1 out of 5.

Read our full Viasat review.

Cheap internet plans in Asheville, NC

It’s easy to find relatively affordable internet plans in Asheville. At least four companies feature starting prices at under $60 per month, and some of those are for plans of up to 300 Mbps. T-Mobile cellular customers have access to the best deal, with up to $20 off for bundling mobile and home Wi-Fi plans. 

PlanPrice*Download speedConnection type
T-Mobile Home Internet$40/mo.**72–245 MbpsFixed wireless
Spectrum$49.99/mo.300 MbpsCable
Viasat$49.99/mo.25 MbpsSatellite
AT&T$55/mo.300 MbpsFiber
*Pricing per month plus taxes for length of contract. Additional fees and terms may apply. Pricing varies by location and availability. All prices subject to change at any time. May or may not be available based on service address. Price may include autopay and paperless billing discounts. Speeds may vary. As of 1/18/24.
**When bundled with a qualifying mobile plan.

Fastest internet plans in Asheville, NC

According to Ookla data, the median download speed for home internet in Asheville is 244.26 Mbps. That’s fast enough to stream video content and browse on multiple devices, but some customers may want faster speeds and higher bandwidth. Fortunately, internet providers in Asheville offer fiber connections of up to 5 GB and cable connections of up to 1 GB.

PlanPrice*Download speedConnection type
AT&T$245/mo.Up to 5,000 MbpsFiber
EarthLink$189.95/mo.Up to 5,000 MbpsFiber
Spectrum$79.99/mo.Up to 1,000 MbpsCable
*Pricing per month plus taxes for length of contract. Additional fees and terms may apply. Pricing varies by location and availability. All prices subject to change at any time. May or may not be available based on service address. Price may include autopay and paperless billing discounts. Speeds may vary. As of 1/18/24.

Asheville internet technology

The most important aspect of your home Wi-Fi performance is the type of internet connection you have. From satellite to fiber, availability and speed vary significantly. Consider the following when exploring options from internet service providers in Asheville:

  • Fiber: Fiber internet doesn’t reach every household in Asheville, but up to 80% of customers are eligible in parts of the city. Where available, fiber offers the fastest connection, boasting lag-free, symmetrical upload and download speeds of up to 5 GB.
  • Cable: Cable internet is an option for most houses in Asheville, not to mention many in the surrounding area. It’s not as fast or reliable as fiber — especially for upload speeds — but its high-speed plans are more than enough for many household users.
  • Fixed wireless: Cellular towers reach most of the Asheville area, and 5G technology has made this a much more viable option for high-speed home internet. Providers like T-Mobile offer cable-like speeds, but network congestion affects fixed wireless performance more than other connection types.
  • DSL: Phone-based internet connections are harder to come by these days, but a few providers still offer them in rural areas. Download speeds are much slower than cable, fiber, and many fixed wireless options.
  • Satellite: When all else fails, satellite internet is almost always an option. Providers like Viasat, Starlink and Hughesnet offer internet throughout the Asheville area, but download speeds top out around 150 Mbps.

Asheville internet FAQs

Does Asheville, NC, have fiber internet?

Yes, fiber connections are available in many parts of the city. Enter your address on this page to find out if Asheville internet providers like AT&T and Earthlink are options for your home.

Is Spectrum different than Xfinity?

Yes, they are two different companies. Spectrum is owned by Charter Communications, while Xfinity is owned by Comcast. Both providers offer cable internet, TV and other services, but they typically serve different markets. Xfinity is not available in North Carolina.

Does fiber internet include Wi-Fi?

Yes, fiber internet service providers in Asheville typically include equipment for home Wi-Fi with your modem. This may come with an extra charge, but many providers allow you to use your own equipment to avoid the fee.

This content is produced through an alliance between USA TODAY and Allconnect.com. Under the alliance, Allconnect publishes articles about broadband-related topics upholding strict editorial integrity standards in line with USA TODAY’s Principles of Ethical Conduct. The opinions, analyses, reviews and recommendations expressed are those of the Allconnect editorial staff alone. The information is believed to be accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information. Read more about our Allconnect Advertising Disclosure.

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Luke DaughertyAllconnect.com

Luke Daugherty is a freelance writer, editor, and former operations manager. His work covers a wide range of topics, including streaming and internet tech, green energy, and personal finance. His work, bylined and ghostwritten, has appeared in The Balance, CNET, CIO Magazine, Entrepreneur, and more.

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Hannah WhatleyAllconnect.com

Hannah Whatley is an editor who enjoys collaborating with writers to offer readers the most relevant, accurate, and up-to-date information for their home purchases. She has previously edited for The Motley Fool, The Modest Wallet, Grammarly, JoinCake.com and SaveOnEnergy.com, gaining expertise in several industries. Hannah has a B.A. in English from Thomas Edison State University. When she isn’t editing, she enjoys studying linguistics and languages.

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