Top 12 Internet Providers in South Carolina

Key Points

• When choosing an internet provider, there are many factors to consider, including speed, price, connectivity, and support, among others.
• Some rural communities in South Carolina do not have access to broadband internet.
• AT&T and Xfinity are popular internet providers in South Carolina.

South Carolina is famous for its bright blue skies, beautiful beaches, and laid-back way of life. It’s an attractive place for people looking for an affordable alternative to Florida. However, with relocations or retirement comes the need for internet connectivity. 

Access to broadband internet is not always a given in South Carolina. True, some ISPs have a presence in the Palmetto State, and others are making inroads connecting remote and rural communities. But you have to know your options to pick the right ISP.  Let’s look at the top 12 internet providers in South Carolina.

1. AT&T 

AT&T is South Carolina’s number one broadband internet provider, with 98% coverage statewide. It delivers internet services via fiber, VDSL, and mobile with speeds of up to 5 Gbps for fiber customers. 

The company offers 26 plans, including options for bundling television, mobile, and landline phone. Its cheapest internet-only plan, Internet 25, costs $55 monthly and provides a DSL connection with a 25 Mbps data rate. Published prices are introductory and rise after a specific term. 

2. Xfinity

Comcast’s Xfinity is the largest cable provider in the US, and a fantastic choice for fast broadband connectivity in South Carolina. 

Alongside its television, cellular, and landline deals are eight internet-only packages with cable and fiber options that deliver speeds of up to 6 Gbps. Prices start at just $29.99 per month, though you’ll have to pay an $89.99 installation fee and lease Wi-Fi equipment. The published prices are promotional with price rises in store unless you renegotiate your plan. 

Xfinity caps all its packages at 1.2 terabytes which are almost impossible for a regular family to exhaust. You may also be interested in using Xfinity’s integrated smart home solutions, including closed-circuit television. 

3. Frontier

Frontier provides fiber and DSL internet connectivity in SC. Fiber coverage is mostly in urban areas, and the DSL extends into remote and rural areas. Three fiber plans are available with speeds of up to 2 Gbps. . Frontier’s promotional pricing includes autopay and paperless billing, Wi-Fi equipment, and security software. 

From time to time, Frontier does offer discounts and incentives like gift cards. However, these are usually associated with a two-year contract and early termination fee if you switch providers. 

4. EarthLink

EarthLink is a popular ISP with cable, fiber, and VDSL options for South Carolina residents. Though its starting prices are higher than many competitors, Earthlink provides a reliable and consistent service with no price hikes.

Customers can pick from seven internet-only plans starting at  $54.95, with an $80 installation fee. All plans are contract-free, data cap-free, and throttling-free. Earthlink uses the infrastructure of other ISPs, like AT&T and Frontier to extend its coverage. 

5. Ultra Home Internet

Ultra Home Internet delivers statewide internet access via the cellular network. Rural and remote South Carolina residents, in particular, can benefit from 4G/LTE and 5G home internet with speeds of up to 115 Mbps.

Although Ultra Home Internet plans cost more than the competitors’ DSL, cable, and fiber solutions, it’s cheaper than satellite internet. Installation is simple and only requires a cellular router for almost instant service. 

Prices for Ultra Home internet start at $59.99 for 25 GB of data. 

6. Spectrum

Owned by Charter Communications, Spectrum Internet provides cable internet across South Carolina, with at least 67% coverage. Their cable internet package is simple, with three tiers (Standard, Ultra, and GIG) and speeds of up to 1Gbps.

Cable connection with a Wi-Fi router starts at $49.99 for 300 Mbps. Published prices are promotional and may rise after 12 months unless renegotiated. Spectrum charges a 19.99 one-off installation fee.

7. T-Mobile Home Internet

As a leading provider of mobile broadband for the home, T-Mobile covers the entirety of South Carolina. It’s a good option for SC residents who live in rural areas or areas with limited fixed broadband access. The company’s 4G/LTE and 5G internet is delivered to households via a special cellular router. 

T-Mobile internet packages are cheaper and faster than satellite internet and more reliable than fixed wireless. For a flat rate of $50 monthly, you get uncapped mobile home internet with speeds of over 180 Mbps. A router is included in their package.

8. HTC Inc.

The Horry Telephone Cooperative is a 100% local company, serving suburban and rural Horry County with telecommunications solutions since the 1950s. Their coverage is not extensive but is expanding rapidly and now includes Marion County, Horry County, and Myrtle Beach. 

HTC provides fiber, cable, and DSL internet alongside TV, home security, and phone services. It offers speeds of up to 1 Gbps (fiber) with good fiber availability in the coastal regions of SC. HTC customers also benefit from complimentary access to Wi-Fi hotspots across Horry County. 

As a small company, HTC provides internet connectivity on a contract basis with a price hike after a 12-month period. Eligible SC residents can join their Affordable Connectivity Program and save on their bills. 

9. CenturyLink

CenturyLink is a well-rated ISP but has limited availability in South Carolina. Residents in Beaufort, Greenwood, and Orangeburg can benefit from reliable DSL and fiber internet connectivity with speeds up to 940 Mbps. 

Their internet-only service prices start at $50 for DSL and $65 for fiber. CenturyLink never uses promotional rates, contracts, throttling, or data caps. Its customers enjoy 24/7 support.

10. Breezeline

Breezeline is a leading ISP for the East Coast States, with just under a million customers in the 12 states it serves. It is owned by Cogeco Communications Inc. (formally Atlantic Broadband), which also owns WOW Internet. In South Carolina, coverage focuses on Aiken and surrounding areas. 

Their broadband internet speeds range from 100 Mbps to 1 Gbps. Multiple speed tiers are available, with prices starting at $19.99 per month, inclusive of Wi-Fi equipment. 

11. Kinetic by Windstream

As the sixth largest DSL provider in the country, Kinetic by Windstream has a presence in South Carolina and 17 other states. The company’s internet is available in rural and remote locations. 

Windstream’s internet connectivity options in SC include fiber and VDSL. Customers can choose from 21 internet-only packages with speeds of up to 1 Gbps. Monthly plans start at $39.99 for 50 Mbps internet. Advertised prices are introductory and rise after one year. 

12. HughesNet

One of the oldest satellite internet companies in the US, HughesNet offers multi-megabyte internet speeds. This ISP is a market leader for rural internet access with extensive coverage and dependable service. It’s a great option for SC locals who can’t access the internet any other way.

Typical of satellite internet providers, HughesNet’s speeds are much slower than DSL, cable and fiber. For $54.99, you get15 GB of data. Data caps and throttling are in place. Offpeak, customers get a bonus of 50 GB.  HughesNet also has a two-year contract with equipment costs and early cancellation fees.

Summary of the Top 12 Internet Providers in South Carolina

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