In Carter County there are 10 residential internet providers covering 97.92% of the county. The average home can get speeds up to 874 Mbps. Note that we may have a financial relationship with some of the providers below. This does not influence rankings, and helps us provide high-quality detailed information for free.
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10 Internet Service Providers in Carter County
Data updated 11/14/2025, based on FCC data from 12/31/2024. This is the most current data available as of .
To avoid wasting your time, providers with less than 1% coverage in Carter County are not shown.
Carter County Satellite TV & Internet Providers
DISH Satellite TV
DIRECTV Satellite TV
Not sure whether to choose Dish or DIRECTV? For most people most of the time we recommend DISH. But click here to learn more.
Viasat Satellite Internet
Availability maps for all providers in Carter County
Using the dropdown below, please select a provider. Green indicates nearly all homes have service, red indicates few homes have service, and blank indicates no service.
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Internet service is available in 97.92% of Carter County. Using our interactive availability map, you can compare service areas for different providers, we include fiber, cable, DSL, or fixed wireless internet service for all providers who offer it. You will notice that some providers might be listed multiple times for each service. If you find no providers cover the location you're looking at, you can opt for satellite service. The most widely available provider is Windstream. Now you can call companies in Carter County with more confidence that they might be available.
How fast are internet speeds in Carter County?
The map below shows maximum internet speeds by area in Carter County.
Internet Speed Key
The average Carter County home can get up to 874 Mbps on their internet plan. For most people, the fastest download speed in the county is 2,000 Mbps, which 15.66% of residents can get. Some homes and apartments do not have access to these speeds. On the slower end, for example, less than 1% of homes can only purchase plans up to 10 Mbps. See the internet provider details below for info about their speed and coverage in Carter County.
Internet speeds tend to be faster in the east parts of Carter County, and slower in the northwest areas of the county.
What type of internet should I choose in Carter County?
The fastest internet for you may vary based on where in Carter County you live. If speed is your main concern, cable will be the fastest internet in the county.
- Fiber is the fastest internet type for 34.98% of Carter County homes.
- Cable is fastest for 41.26% of the county.
- DSL is fastest for 12.81%.
- Fixed wireless is fastest for 8.87%.
- Satellite internet may be the only option for 2.08% of Carter County homes.
Internet Market Health in Carter County
Internet Competition Key
The map shows how competitive the Carter County internet service market is. Areas in green have more alternatives, areas in yellow have a few choices, and areas in red may have only one provider. More competition usually means faster speeds and better prices for you, the customer.
Below are quick facts on internet competition and market health in Carter County based on what connections the average home has availabile:
- Average number of internet service providers to a home: 4.6 (unhealthy)
- Average types of service (fiber, cable, DSL, etc): 3.0 (healthy)
- Average providers with broadband (25 Mbps+) speeds: 4.4 (unhealthy)
Overall, competition is unhealthy.
Carter County internet customers have the ability to buy internet service from 1 to 7 different providers, depending on where they live. For different types of service, Carter County homes have between 1 and 4 options. The type(s) of service available are dsl, fixed wireless, cable, and fiber, though these may vary depending on the region within the county.
When it comes to broadband download speeds faster than 25 Mbps, the situation is worse. Carter County internet customers who want faster speeds have between 0 and 7 choices of companies offering speeds up to or over 25 Mbps.
More internet companies with faster speeds means fewer monopolies and better prices for customers. In promoting a free market for internet, Carter County needs improvement.
TV & Internet Providers in Depth
Below you'll find which TV and internet providers offer service in Carter County, along with details on where in Carter County and at what speeds.
Windstream DSL in Carter County, KY
Windstream DSL coverage
About 95.23%, or 25,357 people, have Windstream DSL internet available to them in the county. The company covers the entire Carter County area. Windstream is one of the largest internet service providers internet service providers in the US, with internet service available in most of Carter County.
Windstream DSL download speeds
Windstream is below average when comparing download speeds to all other internet providers in Carter County. Versus other DSL providers in the area, Windstream DSL is the fastest. There are 6 different maximum speeds throughout Carter County. The fastest plan anyone in Carter County can order from Windstream goes up to 300 Mbps, the slowest package only goes up to 10 Mbps, and the county-wide average maximum speed for Carter County customers is up to 112 Mbps.
Show all download speeds
- 7.6% up to 300.0 Mbps
- 26.6% up to 200.0 Mbps
- 26.3% up to 100.0 Mbps
- 10.5% up to 50.0 Mbps
- 8.6% up to 25.0 Mbps
- 20.4% up to 10.0 Mbps
Windstream DSL upload speeds
In Carter County download speeds tend to be faster than than upload speeds for Windstream DSL. Compared to other ISPs, Windstream is below average where upload speeds are concerned, and the fastest compared to other Carter County DSL providers. Windstream offers 14 different upload speeds across the county, so your internet plan's upload speed may vary by neighborhood . The fastest upload speed available to anyone from this ISP in Carter County is up to 83 Mbps. Some customers have slower plan choices, which only go up to 1.0 Mbps. On average, Windstream customers can get speeds up to 33 Mbps.
Show all upload speeds
- 10.9% up to 83.0 Mbps
- 3.8% up to 69.0 Mbps
- 31.3% up to 52.0 Mbps
- 1.2% up to 50.0 Mbps
- 0.2% up to 40.0 Mbps
- 3.1% up to 32.0 Mbps
- 5.4% up to 23.0 Mbps
- 0.1% up to 22.0 Mbps
- 2.9% up to 17.0 Mbps
- 1.1% up to 15.0 Mbps
- 6.4% up to 12.0 Mbps
- 0.1% up to 10.0 Mbps
- 13.0% up to 3.0 Mbps
- 20.4% up to 1.0 Mbps
Optimum Cable in Carter County, KY
Optimum cable coverage
About 49.30%, or 13,126 people, have Optimum cable internet available to them in the county. The company covers the northeast, east, southeast, north, central, and south Carter County area. Optimum is one of the largest internet service providers internet service providers in the US, with internet service available in some of Carter County.
Optimum cable download speeds
Optimum is average when comparing download speeds to all other internet providers in Carter County. Versus other cable providers in the area, Optimum cable is the slowest. There are no different maximum speeds throughout Carter County. The fastest plan anyone in Carter County can order from Optimum goes up to 500 Mbps, and all Carter County customers can get this speed.
Show all download speeds
- 100.0% up to 500.0 Mbps
Optimum cable upload speeds
In Carter County download speeds tend to be faster than than upload speeds for Optimum cable. Compared to other ISPs, Optimum is below average where upload speeds are concerned, and the slowest compared to other Carter County cable providers. Optimum offers no different upload speeds across the county. The fastest upload speed available to anyone from this ISP in Carter County is up to 20 Mbps, which is available to everyone covered.
Show all upload speeds
- 100.0% up to 20.0 Mbps
Spectrum Cable in Carter County, KY
Spectrum cable coverage
About 26.36%, or 7,018 people, have Spectrum cable internet available to them in the county. The company covers the west, southwest, north, south, and central Carter County area. Spectrum is one of the largest internet service providers internet service providers in the US, with internet service available in a small portion of Carter County.
Spectrum cable download speeds
Spectrum is above average when comparing download speeds to all other internet providers in Carter County. Versus other cable providers in the area, Spectrum cable is the fastest. There are no different maximum speeds throughout Carter County. The fastest plan anyone in Carter County can order from Spectrum goes up to 1,000 Mbps, and all Carter County customers can get this speed.
Show all download speeds
- 100.0% up to 1,000.0 Mbps
Spectrum cable upload speeds
In Carter County download speeds tend to be equal to than upload speeds for Spectrum cable. Compared to other ISPs, Spectrum is above average where upload speeds are concerned, and the fastest compared to other Carter County cable providers. Spectrum offers no different upload speeds across the county. The fastest upload speed available to anyone from this ISP in Carter County is up to 1,000 Mbps, which is available to everyone covered.
Show all upload speeds
- 100.0% up to 1,000.0 Mbps
Windstream Fiber in Carter County, KY
Windstream fiber coverage
About 23.59%, or 6,281 people, have Windstream fiber internet available to them in the county. The company covers the northeast, east, north, central, west, northwest, southeast, and southwest Carter County area. Windstream is one of the largest internet service providers internet service providers in the US, with internet service available in a small portion of Carter County.
Windstream fiber download speeds
Windstream is the fastest when comparing download speeds to all other internet providers in Carter County. Versus other fiber providers in the area, Windstream fiber is the fastest. There are 2 different maximum speeds throughout Carter County. The fastest plan anyone in Carter County can order from Windstream goes up to 2,000 Mbps, the slowest package only goes up to 1,000 Mbps, and the county-wide average maximum speed for Carter County customers is up to 1,664 Mbps.
Show all download speeds
- 66.4% up to 2,000.0 Mbps
- 33.6% up to 1,000.0 Mbps
Windstream fiber upload speeds
In Carter County download speeds tend to be equal to than upload speeds for Windstream fiber. Compared to other ISPs, Windstream is the fastest where upload speeds are concerned, and the fastest compared to other Carter County fiber providers. Windstream offers 2 different upload speeds across the county, so your internet plan's upload speed may vary by neighborhood . The fastest upload speed available to anyone from this ISP in Carter County is up to 2,000 Mbps. Some customers have slower plan choices, which only go up to 1,000 Mbps. On average, Windstream customers can get speeds up to 1,664 Mbps.
Show all upload speeds
- 66.4% up to 2,000.0 Mbps
- 33.6% up to 1,000.0 Mbps
Foothills Communications Fiber in Carter County, KY
Foothills Communications fiber coverage
About 13.07%, or 3,479 people, have Foothills Communications fiber internet available to them in the county. The company covers the southeast, east, northeast, south, and central Carter County area. Foothills Communications is a large internet service provider internet service providers in the US, with internet service available in a very small piece of Carter County.
Foothills Communications fiber download speeds
Foothills Communications is above average when comparing download speeds to all other internet providers in Carter County. Versus other fiber providers in the area, Foothills Communications fiber is the slowest. There are no different maximum speeds throughout Carter County. The fastest plan anyone in Carter County can order from Foothills Communications goes up to 1,000 Mbps, and all Carter County customers can get this speed.
Show all download speeds
- 100.0% up to 1,000.0 Mbps
Foothills Communications fiber upload speeds
In Carter County download speeds tend to be equal to than upload speeds for Foothills Communications fiber. Compared to other ISPs, Foothills Communications is above average where upload speeds are concerned, and the slowest compared to other Carter County fiber providers. Foothills Communications offers no different upload speeds across the county. The fastest upload speed available to anyone from this ISP in Carter County is up to 1,000 Mbps, which is available to everyone covered.
Show all upload speeds
- 100.0% up to 1,000.0 Mbps
T-Mobile Home Internet Fixed Wireless in Carter County, KY
T-Mobile Home Internet fixed wireless coverage
About 83.30%, or 22,180 people, have T-Mobile Home Internet fixed wireless internet available to them in the county. The company covers the entire Carter County area. T-Mobile Home Internet is one of the largest internet service providers internet service providers in the US, with internet service available in much of Carter County.
T-Mobile Home Internet fixed wireless download speeds
T-Mobile Home Internet is below average when comparing download speeds to all other internet providers in Carter County. Versus other fixed wireless providers in the area, T-Mobile Home Internet fixed wireless is below average. There are 2 different maximum speeds throughout Carter County. The fastest plan anyone in Carter County can order from T-Mobile Home Internet goes up to 100 Mbps, the slowest package only goes up to 25 Mbps, and the county-wide average maximum speed for Carter County customers is up to 69 Mbps.
Show all download speeds
- 59.1% up to 100.0 Mbps
- 40.9% up to 25.0 Mbps
T-Mobile Home Internet fixed wireless upload speeds
In Carter County download speeds tend to be faster than than upload speeds for T-Mobile Home Internet fixed wireless. Compared to other ISPs, T-Mobile Home Internet is below average where upload speeds are concerned, and above average compared to other Carter County fixed wireless providers. T-Mobile Home Internet offers 2 different upload speeds across the county, so your internet plan's upload speed may vary by neighborhood . The fastest upload speed available to anyone from this ISP in Carter County is up to 20 Mbps. Some customers have slower plan choices, which only go up to 3.0 Mbps. On average, T-Mobile Home Internet customers can get speeds up to 13 Mbps.
Show all upload speeds
- 59.1% up to 20.0 Mbps
- 40.9% up to 3.0 Mbps
EarthLink Fixed Wireless in Carter County, KY
EarthLink fixed wireless coverage
About 69.17%, or 18,419 people, have EarthLink fixed wireless internet available to them in the county. The company covers the entire Carter County area. EarthLink is one of the largest internet service providers internet service providers in the US, with internet service available in much of Carter County.
EarthLink fixed wireless download speeds
EarthLink is one of the slowest when comparing download speeds to all other internet providers in Carter County. Versus other fixed wireless providers in the area, EarthLink fixed wireless is one of the slowest. There are 2 different maximum speeds throughout Carter County. The fastest plan anyone in Carter County can order from EarthLink goes up to 100 Mbps, the slowest package only goes up to 25 Mbps, and the county-wide average maximum speed for Carter County customers is up to 28 Mbps.
Show all download speeds
- 3.7% up to 100.0 Mbps
- 96.3% up to 25.0 Mbps
EarthLink fixed wireless upload speeds
In Carter County download speeds tend to be faster than than upload speeds for EarthLink fixed wireless. Compared to other ISPs, EarthLink is one of the slowest where upload speeds are concerned, and one of the slowest compared to other Carter County fixed wireless providers. EarthLink offers 2 different upload speeds across the county, so your internet plan's upload speed may vary by neighborhood . The fastest upload speed available to anyone from this ISP in Carter County is up to 20 Mbps. Some customers have slower plan choices, which only go up to 3.0 Mbps. On average, EarthLink customers can get speeds up to 3.6 Mbps.
Show all upload speeds
- 3.7% up to 20.0 Mbps
- 96.3% up to 3.0 Mbps
AT&T Fixed Wireless in Carter County, KY
AT&T fixed wireless coverage
About 69.17%, or 18,419 people, have AT&T fixed wireless internet available to them in the county. The company covers the entire Carter County area. AT&T is one of the largest internet service providers internet service providers in the US, with internet service available in much of Carter County.
AT&T fixed wireless download speeds
AT&T is one of the slowest when comparing download speeds to all other internet providers in Carter County. Versus other fixed wireless providers in the area, AT&T fixed wireless is one of the slowest. There are 2 different maximum speeds throughout Carter County. The fastest plan anyone in Carter County can order from AT&T goes up to 100 Mbps, the slowest package only goes up to 25 Mbps, and the county-wide average maximum speed for Carter County customers is up to 28 Mbps.
Show all download speeds
- 3.7% up to 100.0 Mbps
- 96.3% up to 25.0 Mbps
AT&T fixed wireless upload speeds
In Carter County download speeds tend to be faster than than upload speeds for AT&T fixed wireless. Compared to other ISPs, AT&T is one of the slowest where upload speeds are concerned, and one of the slowest compared to other Carter County fixed wireless providers. AT&T offers 2 different upload speeds across the county, so your internet plan's upload speed may vary by neighborhood . The fastest upload speed available to anyone from this ISP in Carter County is up to 20 Mbps. Some customers have slower plan choices, which only go up to 3.0 Mbps. On average, AT&T customers can get speeds up to 3.6 Mbps.
Show all upload speeds
- 3.7% up to 20.0 Mbps
- 96.3% up to 3.0 Mbps
Verizon Fixed Wireless in Carter County, KY
Verizon fixed wireless coverage
About 21.97%, or 5,850 people, have Verizon fixed wireless internet available to them in the county. The company covers the west, southwest, central, north, south, and northwest Carter County area. Verizon is one of the largest internet service providers internet service providers in the US, with internet service available in a small portion of Carter County.
Verizon fixed wireless download speeds
Verizon is below average when comparing download speeds to all other internet providers in Carter County. Versus other fixed wireless providers in the area, Verizon fixed wireless is the fastest. There are no different maximum speeds throughout Carter County. The fastest plan anyone in Carter County can order from Verizon goes up to 300 Mbps, and all Carter County customers can get this speed.
Show all download speeds
- 100.0% up to 300.0 Mbps
Verizon fixed wireless upload speeds
In Carter County download speeds tend to be faster than than upload speeds for Verizon fixed wireless. Compared to other ISPs, Verizon is below average where upload speeds are concerned, and the fastest compared to other Carter County fixed wireless providers. Verizon offers no different upload speeds across the county. The fastest upload speed available to anyone from this ISP in Carter County is up to 20 Mbps, which is available to everyone covered.
Show all upload speeds
- 100.0% up to 20.0 Mbps
Carter County Internet by Area
This information is most helpful to those looking for homes or considering moving to Carter County or any of the areas nearby.
How does internet in Carter County compare to the rest of Kentucky?
Internet speeds in Carter County are slower versus the average speeds in Kentucky: 2,544 Mbps in Kentucky versus 874 Mbps in the county. The state has similar internet availability compared to the county. Average internet coverage in Kentucky is 98.61% versus 97.92% in Carter County.
What zip codes have widespread internet?
Internet coverage varies by zip code and neighborhood. Some examples in or around Carter County are shown below. You can enter any zip code here to see TV and internet providers by zip code.
What does internet service look like in other counties?
Below are counties nearby and with similar populations. This comparison can be useful if living somewhere with fast internet is important to you.
Nearby Counties
- Boyd County, KY: more internet coverage, faster speeds
- Wayne County, WV: more internet coverage, faster speeds
- Fleming County, KY: more internet coverage, faster speeds
- Cabell County, WV: less internet coverage, faster speeds
- Lincoln County, WV: less internet coverage, faster speeds
- Nicholas County, KY: less internet coverage, slower speeds
- Putnam County, WV: more internet coverage, faster speeds
- Bourbon County, KY: more internet coverage, faster speeds
- Harrison County, KY: more internet coverage, faster speeds
- Kanawha County, WV: more internet coverage, faster speeds
Counties with Similar Populations
- Stutsman County, ND: less internet coverage, faster speeds
- Starke County, IN: more internet coverage, faster speeds
- Hancock County, WV: more internet coverage, faster speeds
- Hancock County, IL: more internet coverage, faster speeds
- Hampton County, SC: more internet coverage, faster speeds
- Stephens County, GA: less internet coverage, faster speeds
- Stoddard County, MO: more internet coverage, faster speeds
- Guayanilla Municipio, PR: more internet coverage, faster speeds
- Stone County, MO: more internet coverage, slower speeds
- Greene County, NC: more internet coverage, faster speeds