What is the best internet provider in Hickory?
The largest broadband provider in the region, spectrumthe best Internet service provider in Hickory, NC. In addition to being widely available in the Hickory area, Spectrum is known for its fast download speeds, simple pricing, and TV and Internet bundles.
However, Spectrum isn’t the fastest or cheapest internet provider in Hickory. Fiber optic ISP Metronet offers the fastest speeds in Hickory, up to 5,000 megabits per second, and offers the cheapest plans, with service starting at $30 per month for speeds up to 100Mbps. Considering speed and price, Metronet is a strong contender for best ISP in Hickory, but it lacks the same coverage as Spectrum, reaching only about 15% of local households.
Brightspeed (formerly CenturyLink in the Hickory area) competes with Spectrum in terms of availability, but the DSL service doesn’t offer speeds that would be considered broadband.
Likewise, fixed wireless Internet is available in most areas of Hickory, but speeds are generally below the broadband threshold of 100Mbps downstream and 20Mbps upstream. T-Mobile Home Network and possible Open Broadband (when available) are your best options for fixed wireless broadband in Hickory. Verizon 5G Home Internet may also offer fixed wireless Internet in Hickory, but availability is quite limited right now.
Best Internet in Hickory, NC
Hickory, NC Internet Providers Comparison
| provider | Internet Technology | monthly price range | speed range | Monthly equipment cost | data cap | contract | CNET Review Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| speed of light | DSL | 50 U.S. dollars | 20-100Mbps | 15 dollars | not any | not any | not applicable |
|
metropolitan network |
fiber | $30-$110 | 100-5,000Mbps | None, $13 monthly technology fee | not any | not any | 6.9 |
|
spectrum |
cable | $50-$80 | 300-1,000Mbps | $7 (optional) | not any | not any | 7.2 |
|
T-Mobile Home Internet |
fixed wireless | $50-$70 ($40-$50 for eligible mobile packages) | 72-245Mbps | not any | not any | not any | 7.4 |
|
Verizon 5G Home Internet |
fixed wireless | $50-$70 ($35-$45 with qualifying mobile plans) | 50-1,000Mbps | not any | not any | not any | 7.2 |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider profiles.
What are the cheapest internet plans in Hickory?
| plan | starting price | Maximum download speed | Monthly equipment fee |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Metronet 100 |
$30 | 100Mbps | None, $13 monthly technology fee |
|
Metronet 500 |
$40 | 500Mbps | None, $13 monthly technology fee |
| Mingsu Network | 50 U.S. dollars | 10Mbps | not any |
|
Spectrum Internet |
50 U.S. dollars | 300Mbps | $7 (optional) |
|
Verizon 5G Home Internet |
$50 ($35 with eligible mobile plans) | 100Mbps | not any |
|
T-Mobile Home Internet |
$50 ($40 with eligible mobile plans) | 245Mbps | not any |
Show more(1 item)
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Source: CNET analysis of provider profiles.
How to find Hickory’s online deals and promotions
Hickory’s best online deals and top promotions depend on the discounts available during a specific time. Most offers are short-lived, but we’re often on the lookout for the latest deals.
Hickory network providers such as Spectrum and T-Mobile Home Internet may offer lower promotional prices or other incentives for a limited time. Other services, including Metronet, have the same standard pricing year-round.
For a more extensive list of deals, check out our guide to the best internet deals.
The Fastest Internet Plans in Hickory, NC
| plan | starting price | Maximum download speed | Maximum upload speed | data cap | Connection Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Metro network 5Gbps |
$110 | 5,000Mbps | 5,000Mbps | not any | fiber |
|
Metropolitan area network 2Gbps |
$90 | 2,000Mbps | 2,000Mbps | not any | fiber |
|
Metropolitan area network 1Gbps |
50 U.S. dollars | 1,000Mbps | 1,000Mbps | not any | fiber |
|
Spectrum Network Performance |
$80 | 1,000Mbps | 35Mbps | not any | cable |
|
Verizon 5G Home + Internet |
$70 ($45 with eligible mobile plans) | 300Mbps | 75Mbps | not any | fixed wireless |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider profiles.
What is a good internet speed?
Most Internet connection plans can now handle basic productivity and communication tasks. If you’re looking for a network plan that can accommodate video conferencing, streaming video, or gaming, you’ll get a better experience with a stronger connection. Below is an overview of the recommended minimum download speeds for various applications according to the FCC. Please note that these are guidelines only – Internet speeds, service and performance vary based on connection type, provider and address.
For more information, see our guide on the internet speed you really need.
- 0 to 5Mbps lets you handle the basics—browse the Internet, send and receive email, and stream low-quality video.
- 5 to 40Mbps provides you with higher quality video streaming and video conferencing.
- 40 to 100Mbps should provide enough bandwidth for one user to meet the needs of modern remote working, video streaming, and online gaming.
- 100 to 500Mbps allows one or two users to participate in high-bandwidth activities such as video conferencing, streaming media, and online gaming at the same time.
- 500 to 1,000Mbps allows three or more users to engage in high-bandwidth activities simultaneously.
CNET How to Choose the Best Internet Provider in Hickory, NC
Internet service providers are numerous and regional. Unlike the latest smartphone, laptop, router, or kitchen tool, it’s impractical to personally test every ISP in a given city. So what is our approach? We first looked at pricing, availability, and speed information, using our own historical ISP data, provider websites, and map information from the Federal Communications Commission’s FCC.gov.
But it didn’t end there. We visited the FCC’s website to check our data and make sure we accounted for every ISP serving an area. We will also enter your local address on the provider website to find specific options for residents. We evaluate customer satisfaction with ISP service by looking at sources such as the US Customer Satisfaction Index and JD Power. ISP plans and prices may change frequently; all information provided is accurate as of publication time.
Once we have localized information, we ask three main questions:
- Does the provider offer reasonably fast internet speeds?
- Are customers getting value for money?
- Are customers satisfied with their service?
While the answers to these questions are often layered and complex, we recommend the providers who come closest to a “yes” on these three questions. When choosing the cheapest internet service, we look for plans with the lowest monthly fees, although we also consider factors like price increases, equipment fees, 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.
To explore our process in more depth, visit our How to Test ISPs page.
FAQs for Internet Providers in Hickory, NC
What is the best Internet service provider in Hickory?
Spectrum is the best Internet service provider in Hickory because of its wide availability and simple pricing (speed options from 300 to 1,000Mbps). Prices for some packages will increase over two years, while introductory fees for all Metronet packages will expire after one year.
Is there fiber optic internet in Hickory?
According to the latest FCC data, approximately 24% of Hickory residential addresses have access to fiber optic internet. Availability is highest in the south and northwest of the city. Metronet is Hickory’s largest fiber provider, but Brightspeed may offer fiber in certain areas.
What is the cheapest internet provider in Hickory?
Metronet has the lowest introductory home internet rates in Hickory at $30 per month, with speeds up to 100Mbps. Other Metronet plans are also competitively priced, with speeds up to 500Mbps starting at $40 per month, and gig services starting at $50 per month. Both plans cost $30 less than Spectrum for the same download speeds.
Equipment rental is included with all Metronet plans at no additional cost, but unavoidable technology fees will add $13 to your monthly bill.
Which internet provider in Hickory offers the fastest plans?
Metronet is the only Hickory network provider to offer multi-gigabit speeds, with 5,000Mbps and 2,000Mbps plans starting at $110 and $90 per month, respectively. As a fiber provider, Metronet has the ability to offer symmetrical upload and download speeds. By comparison, Spectrum’s top download speed in Hickory is 1,000 Mbps, while its maximum upload speed is a much slower 35 Mbps.
