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#1 Recommended Plan
1. AT&T 
Speeds Up To300 MbpsIn rare cases, if your usage is contributing to congestion on the network, AT&T will greatly reduce your speed for a min. of 30 min.Connection: IPBB, 5G InternetAvailability: 63.8%Why AT&T? AT&T Internet Air makes buying internet easy for customers by offering one plan with straightforward pricing and reliable 5G speeds. -
2. EarthLink 
Speeds Up To100 MbpsNot all internet speeds available in all areas.Connection: DSL, 5G InternetAvailability: 95% -
3. Spectrum 
Speeds Up To2 GbpsSpeeds up to 2G in Select Markets.Connection: CableAvailability: 89.8%Hickory speed tests confirm high speeds for Spectrum -
4. Brightspeed 
Speeds Up To940 MbpsNot all internet speeds available in all areas.Connection: Fiber, DSLAvailability: 84.6% -
5. Viasat 
Speeds Up To150 MbpsNot all internet speeds available in all areas.Connection: SatelliteAvailability: 100% -
T-Mobile 
Speeds Up To2 GbpsNot available in all areas. Return each device undamaged or fee may apply. AutoPay discount requires bank account or debit card, otherwise $5 more/line/mo. May not be reflected on first bill. See Terms and Conditions (including arbitration provision) at https://fiber.t-mobile.com/legal/terms.Connection: FiberAvailability: 20.2% -
7. Mint Mobile 
Download Speeds:133 Mbps - 415 MbpsNot all internet speeds available in all areas.Connection: 5G InternetAvailability: 75.6%LIMITED TIME OFFERIntroducing 5G Home MINTernet powered by T-Mobile starting at $30/month -
8. Verizon 
Speeds Up To300 MbpsNot all internet speeds available in all areas.Connection: 5G InternetAvailability: 35.7% -
9. XNET WiFi 
Speeds Up To2 GbpsNot all internet speeds available in all areas.Connection: Fixed WirelessAvailability: 69.4% -
Metronet 
Speeds Up To5.12 GbpsNot all internet speeds available in all areas.Connection: FiberAvailability: 29.3% -
11. RiverStreet 
Speeds Up To25 MbpsNot all internet speeds available in all areas.Connection: Fixed WirelessAvailability: 54.8% -
12. Open Broadband 
Speeds Up To100 MbpsNot all internet speeds available in all areas.Connection: Fixed WirelessAvailability: 38.4% -
13. Carolina West Wireless 
Speeds Up To25 MbpsNot all internet speeds available in all areas.Connection: Fixed WirelessAvailability: 90.3% -
14. Starlink 
Speeds Up To350 MbpsNot all internet speeds available in all areas.Connection: SatelliteAvailability: 100% -
15. Hughesnet 
Speeds Up To100 MbpsNot all internet speeds available in all areas.Connection: SatelliteAvailability: 100%
Internet Providers in Hickory, NC
Refine your search for better results:
Popular Hickory Internet Deals
| Provider | Featured deal | |
|---|---|---|
| AT&T | Get up to a $400 Reward Card with purchase of AT&T Fiber! Redemption req’d. |
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| EarthLink | Save $25 per month on the EarthLink Wireless 5G Home Internet Unlimited plan! |
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| Spectrum | Get Spectrum Internet® with a free modem, free antivirus software and no data caps! |
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| Brightspeed | Get fiber internet from Brightspeed for as little as $29.99 per month! |
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| Viasat | Get $30 off for your first 3 months! Price shown includes promotion; Get $30/mo. off for the first 3 months. For new customers only. You must mention this offer when ordering service to receive the discount. |
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Hickory Home Internet Providers
| Provider | Plans starting at | Speeds up to | Connections | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Metronet | $29.95/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan. | 5.12 Gbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. | Fiber |
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| Brightspeed | $29.99/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan. | 940 Mbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. | Fiber, DSL |
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| Spectrum | $30/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan. | 2 Gbps Speeds up to 2G in Select Markets. | Cable |
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| Mint Mobile | $30/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan. | 133 Mbps - 415 Mbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. | 5G Internet |
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| Verizon | $35/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan. | 300 Mbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. | 5G Internet |
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| Hughesnet | $39.99/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan. | 100 Mbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. | Satellite |
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| Open Broadband | $49.99/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan. | 100 Mbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. | Fixed Wireless |
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| AT&T | $60/mo Price is per month, plus taxes. Price after discounts: $13/mo w/elig wireless svc. and $5/mo w/elig Autopay & Paperless bill. Discounts start w/in 2 bills. | 300 Mbps In rare cases, if your usage is contributing to congestion on the network, AT&T will greatly reduce your speed for a min. of 30 min. | IPBB, 5G Internet |
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| XNET WiFi | $65/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan. | 2 Gbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. | Fixed Wireless |
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| RiverStreet | $65/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan. | 25 Mbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. | Fixed Wireless |
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| Viasat | $69.99/mo Price shown includes promotion; Get $30/mo. off for first 3 months. For new customers only. You must mention this offer when ordering service to receive the discount. | 150 Mbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. | Satellite |
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| T-Mobile | $75/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan. | 2 Gbps Not available in all areas. Return each device undamaged or fee may apply. AutoPay discount requires bank account or debit card, otherwise $5 more/line/mo. May not be reflected on first bill. See Terms and Conditions (including arbitration provision) at https://fiber.t-mobile.com/legal/terms. | Fiber |
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| EarthLink | $79.95/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan. | 100 Mbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. | DSL, 5G Internet |
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| Starlink | $80/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan. | 350 Mbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. | Satellite |
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Best Internet Providers in Hickory, NC
Metronet is the best internet provider in Hickory thanks to its fast, reliable fiber connection. Residents can get symmetrical speeds up to 5 Gbps with Metronet starting at $29.95 per month. Spectrum is a strong alternative, covering 89.8% of the city with cable internet starting at $30 per month.
| Provider | Why they're great | Who they're great for | |
|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T | Easy installation | Customers who want to skip the technician and get online in minutes will love the simple plug-and-play setup provided by AT&T Internet Air. |
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| EarthLink | Highly rated support | Customers who want peace of mind and highly responsive, award-winning technical support when they need it most should look to EarthLink. |
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| Spectrum | No annual contracts | Spectrum is a smart choice for renters and flexible households who want high-speed internet without being locked into a long-term commitment. |
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| Brightspeed | Straightforward pricing | For customers who want predictable monthly bills completely free of hidden fees or surprise rate hikes, Brightspeed is a perfect fit. |
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| Metronet | Fastest provider | High-demand households and gamers who need flawless 4K streaming and zero-lag performance will love what Metronet has to offer. |
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Hickory Cheapest Internet Plans
Metronet offers the cheapest internet in Hickory for budget-conscious households. Metronet plans start at just $29.95 per month for symmetrical speeds up to 5 Gbps. Brightspeed also provides an affordable fiber alternative, pricing service at $29.99 per month, but Brightspeed only covers 4.5% of the area.
| Provider | Plan name | Price | Speeds up to | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Metronet | 150 Mbps Internet | $29.95/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan. | 150 Mbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. |
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| Brightspeed | Fiber Internet 200 Mbps | $29.99/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan. | 200 Mbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. |
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| Spectrum | Spectrum Internet® Advantage | $30/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan. | 100 Mbps Speeds up to 2G in Select Markets. |
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| Mint Mobile | 3-month w/ Mint Phone Plan | $30/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan. | 415 Mbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. |
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| Verizon | Verizon Home Internet Lite | $35/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan. | 25 Mbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. |
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Fastest Internet Providers in Hickory, NC
Metronet provides the fastest internet in Hickory with excellent performance. Metronet delivers symmetrical speeds up to 5 Gbps through its advanced network. Spectrum is the next fastest choice, offering downloads up to 2 Gbps and uploads up to 35 Mbps, but Spectrum relies on a traditional cable connection.
| Provider | Speeds up to | Connection type | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metronet | 5.12 Gbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. | Fiber |
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| Spectrum | 2 Gbps Speeds up to 2G in Select Markets. | Cable |
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| T-Mobile | 2 Gbps Not available in all areas. Return each device undamaged or fee may apply. AutoPay discount requires bank account or debit card, otherwise $5 more/line/mo. May not be reflected on first bill. See Terms and Conditions (including arbitration provision) at https://fiber.t-mobile.com/legal/terms. | Fiber |
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| XNET WiFi | 2 Gbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. | Fixed Wireless |
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| Brightspeed | 940 Mbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. | Fiber |
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Compare Top Providers in Your Area
- AT&T Internet vs. Spectrum
- AT&T Internet vs. T-Mobile 5G Home Internet
- AT&T Internet vs. Verizon 5G Home Internet
- EarthLink vs. AT&T Internet
- EarthLink vs. Spectrum
- Hughesnet vs. Viasat Internet
- Hughesnet vs. T-Mobile 5G Home Internet
- Hughesnet vs. Verizon 5G Home Internet
- Spectrum vs. T-Mobile 5G Home Internet
- Spectrum vs. Verizon 5G Home Internet
- Starlink vs. Viasat Internet
- T-Mobile 5G Home Internet vs. Verizon 5G Home Internet
Check Your Current Speed
What's a Good Internet Speed?
| Internet speed | Appropriate for | Providers in your area offering this speed | Availability in your area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0-25 Mbps |
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90.3% |
| 100 Mbps |
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100% |
| 1000 Mbps (1 Gbps) |
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89.8% |
Internet Availability in Hickory, NC
Spectrum offers the widest primary availability in Hickory. Spectrum reaches 89.8% of the city with competitive plans starting at $30 per month for speeds up to 2 Gbps. For those outside the Spectrum footprint, Viasat Internet ensures connectivity by reaching 100.0% of the area via satellite.
| Connection type | Provider with most coverage | Hickory availability | Starting price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Satellite | Hughesnet | 100% | $39.99/mo |
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| DSL | EarthLink | 95% | $0/mo |
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| Cable | Spectrum | 89.8% | $30/mo |
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| Fixed Wireless | XNET WiFi | 69.4% | $65/mo |
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| 5G Internet | EarthLink 5G Home Internet | 43.5% | $79.95/mo |
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| Fiber | Brightspeed | 4.5% | $29.99/mo |
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Hickory Internet Stats
| Average internet monthly cost | Available speed ranges | Available price range | Available connection types |
|---|---|---|---|
| $67.23 | 12 Mbps - 5 Gbps | $29.95/mo - $165/mo | 5G Internet, Cable, DSL, Fiber, Fixed Wireless, Satellite |
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Best Value
AT&T Internet Air5G Internet
Internet Air$65/mo*Price is per month, plus taxes. Not available in all areas. Price after discounts: 20% w/elig wireless and $5/mo with AutoPay. Discount applied w/in 2 bills. See offer details
$100 Visa Reward Card | Save 20% with Eligible AT&T Wireless Plan-
Download Speeds up to 300 Mbps
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Perfect speeds for most families
Show Details -
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Lowest Price
MetronetFiber
150 Mbps Internet$29.95/mo*Taxes & fees extra and subj. to change. See disclaimer for details. Restrictions apply. See offer details
Eero router included-
Download Speeds up to 150 Mbps
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Up to 5 devices connected at once
Show Details -
Internet Coverage Map and Store Locations for Hickory, North Carolina
Methodology
Our provider rankings rely on a rigorous, data-driven framework evaluating over 100 million rows of FCC data to bring transparency to local internet options. We track 8,000+ active plans from 2,000+ providers to cut through marketing jargon. We weigh technical factors against real-world experiences to match you with the best connections actually available at your address:
- Tested Technology: We utilize a fiber-first ranking system, prioritizing high-performance, structurally sound technologies (like fiber and cable) over slower legacy connections.
- Realistic Coverage: We filter out "ghost ISPs" with near-zero availability and actively flag providers that only cover a fraction of neighborhoods, ensuring you don't waste time on unavailable options.
- Transparent Pricing: We track base rates and downgrade providers that rely on hidden fees or sudden price hikes, exposing the true long-term cost beyond initial marketing promotions.
- Verified Speeds: We look beyond deceptive "up to" marketing claims to evaluate the actual download and upload speeds delivered, prioritizing the balanced, symmetrical performance necessary for seamless video calls and heavy streaming.
- User-Driven Personalization: We don't just look at the tech; we look at what people actually prefer. By analyzing millions of local connections, user reviews on downtime, and validated J.D. Power scores, we tailor our rankings to highlight the providers proven to satisfy users in your area.
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Data valid as of 03/25/2026