In Hickory there are 11 residential internet providers covering 98.42% of the city. The average home can get speeds up to 2,926 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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11 Internet Service Providers in Hickory
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 Hickory are not shown.
Hickory 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 Hickory
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 98.42% of Hickory. 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 MetroNet. Now you can call companies in Hickory with more confidence that they might be available.
How fast are internet speeds in Hickory?
The map below shows maximum internet speeds by area in Hickory.
Internet Speed Key
The average Hickory home can get up to 2,926 Mbps on their internet plan. For most people, the fastest download speed in the city is 5,120 Mbps, which 46.10% 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 25 Mbps. See the internet provider details below for info about their speed and coverage in Hickory.
Internet speeds tend to be faster in the central parts of Hickory, and slower in the southwest areas of the city.
What type of internet should I choose in Hickory?
The fastest internet for you may vary based on where in Hickory you live. If speed is your main concern, fiber will be the fastest internet in the city.
- Fiber is the fastest internet type for 49.78% of Hickory homes.
- Cable is fastest for 48.21% of the city.
- DSL is fastest for less than 1%.
- Fixed wireless is fastest for less than 1%.
- Satellite internet may be the only option for 1.58% of Hickory homes.
Internet Market Health in Hickory
Internet Competition Key
The map shows how competitive the Hickory 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 Hickory based on what connections the average home has availabile:
- Average number of internet service providers to a home: 7.6 (very healthy)
- Average types of service (fiber, cable, DSL, etc): 3.5 (very healthy)
- Average providers with broadband (25 Mbps+) speeds: 6.7 (very healthy)
Overall, competition is very healthy.
Hickory internet customers have the ability to buy internet service from 1 to 12 different providers, depending on where they live. For different types of service, Hickory homes have between 1 and 4 options. The type(s) of service available are fixed wireless, cable, dsl, and fiber, though these may vary depending on the region within the city.
When it comes to broadband download speeds faster than 25 Mbps, the situation is worse. Hickory internet customers who want faster speeds have between 1 and 11 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, Hickory is doing quite well.
TV & Internet Providers in Depth
Below you'll find which TV and internet providers offer service in Hickory, along with details on where in Hickory and at what speeds.
Spectrum Cable in Hickory, NC
Spectrum cable coverage
About 97.50%, or 63,174 people, have Spectrum cable internet available to them in the city. The company covers the entire Hickory area. Spectrum is one of the largest internet service providers internet service providers in the US, with internet service available in most of Hickory.
Spectrum cable download speeds
Spectrum is below average when comparing download speeds to all other internet providers in Hickory. Versus other cable providers in the area, Spectrum cable is the fastest. There are no different maximum speeds throughout Hickory. The fastest plan anyone in Hickory can order from Spectrum goes up to 1,000 Mbps, and all Hickory customers can get this speed.
Show all download speeds
- 100.0% up to 1,000.0 Mbps
Spectrum cable upload speeds
In Hickory download speeds tend to be faster than than upload speeds for Spectrum cable. Compared to other ISPs, Spectrum is below average where upload speeds are concerned, and the fastest compared to other Hickory cable providers. Spectrum offers 2 different upload speeds across the city, so your internet plan's upload speed may vary by neighborhood . The fastest upload speed available to anyone from this ISP in Hickory is up to 1,000 Mbps. Some customers have slower plan choices, which only go up to 35 Mbps. On average, Spectrum customers can get speeds up to 38 Mbps.
Show all upload speeds
- 0.3% up to 1,000.0 Mbps
- 99.7% up to 35.0 Mbps
Brightspeed DSL in Hickory, NC
Brightspeed DSL coverage
About 96.31%, or 62,403 people, have Brightspeed DSL internet available to them in the city. The company covers the entire Hickory area. Brightspeed is one of the largest internet service providers internet service providers in the US, with internet service available in most of Hickory.
Brightspeed DSL download speeds
Brightspeed is below average when comparing download speeds to all other internet providers in Hickory. Versus other DSL providers in the area, Brightspeed DSL is the slowest. There are 5 different maximum speeds throughout Hickory. The fastest plan anyone in Hickory can order from Brightspeed goes up to 100 Mbps, the slowest package only goes up to 10 Mbps, and the city-wide average maximum speed for Hickory customers is up to 37 Mbps.
Show all download speeds
- 17.6% up to 100.0 Mbps
- 9.4% up to 80.0 Mbps
- 1.8% up to 60.0 Mbps
- 13.8% up to 40.0 Mbps
- 57.4% up to 10.0 Mbps
Brightspeed DSL upload speeds
In Hickory download speeds tend to be faster than than upload speeds for Brightspeed DSL. Compared to other ISPs, Brightspeed is below average where upload speeds are concerned, and the slowest compared to other Hickory DSL providers. Brightspeed offers 4 different upload speeds across the city, so your internet plan's upload speed may vary by neighborhood . The fastest upload speed available to anyone from this ISP in Hickory is up to 10 Mbps. Some customers have slower plan choices, which only go up to 1.0 Mbps. On average, Brightspeed customers can get speeds up to 3.8 Mbps.
Show all upload speeds
- 27.0% up to 10.0 Mbps
- 1.8% up to 5.0 Mbps
- 13.8% up to 3.0 Mbps
- 57.4% up to 1.0 Mbps
MetroNet Fiber in Hickory, NC
MetroNet fiber coverage
About 46.10%, or 29,867 people, have MetroNet fiber internet available to them in the city. The company covers the entire Hickory area. MetroNet is one of the largest internet service providers internet service providers in the US, with internet service available in some of Hickory.
MetroNet fiber download speeds
MetroNet is the fastest when comparing download speeds to all other internet providers in Hickory. Versus other fiber providers in the area, MetroNet fiber is the fastest. There are no different maximum speeds throughout Hickory. The fastest plan anyone in Hickory can order from MetroNet goes up to 5,120 Mbps, and all Hickory customers can get this speed.
Show all download speeds
- 100.0% up to 5,120.0 Mbps
MetroNet fiber upload speeds
In Hickory download speeds tend to be equal to than upload speeds for MetroNet fiber. Compared to other ISPs, MetroNet is the fastest where upload speeds are concerned, and the fastest compared to other Hickory fiber providers. MetroNet offers no different upload speeds across the city. The fastest upload speed available to anyone from this ISP in Hickory is up to 5,120 Mbps, which is available to everyone covered.
Show all upload speeds
- 100.0% up to 5,120.0 Mbps
Spectrum Fiber in Hickory, NC
Spectrum fiber coverage
About 5.77%, or 3,741 people, have Spectrum fiber internet available to them in the city. The company covers the northeast, southeast, south, southwest, central, and north Hickory area. Spectrum is one of the largest internet service providers internet service providers in the US, with internet service available in a very small piece of Hickory.
Spectrum fiber download speeds
Spectrum is below average when comparing download speeds to all other internet providers in Hickory. Versus other fiber providers in the area, Spectrum fiber is below average. There are no different maximum speeds throughout Hickory. The fastest plan anyone in Hickory can order from Spectrum goes up to 1,000 Mbps, and all Hickory customers can get this speed.
Show all download speeds
- 100.0% up to 1,000.0 Mbps
Spectrum fiber upload speeds
In Hickory download speeds tend to be faster than than upload speeds for Spectrum fiber. Compared to other ISPs, Spectrum is below average where upload speeds are concerned, and the slowest compared to other Hickory fiber providers. Spectrum offers 2 different upload speeds across the city, so your internet plan's upload speed may vary by neighborhood . The fastest upload speed available to anyone from this ISP in Hickory is up to 500 Mbps. Some customers have slower plan choices, which only go up to 35 Mbps. On average, Spectrum customers can get speeds up to 170 Mbps.
Show all upload speeds
- 28.9% up to 500.0 Mbps
- 71.1% up to 35.0 Mbps
AT&T DSL in Hickory, NC
AT&T DSL coverage
About 1.86%, or 1,202 people, have AT&T DSL internet available to them in the city. The company covers the southwest, south, northeast, and southeast Hickory area. AT&T is one of the largest internet service providers internet service providers in the US, with internet service available in a very small piece of Hickory.
AT&T DSL download speeds
AT&T is below average when comparing download speeds to all other internet providers in Hickory. Versus other DSL providers in the area, AT&T DSL is one of the fastest. There are 5 different maximum speeds throughout Hickory. The fastest plan anyone in Hickory can order from AT&T goes up to 100 Mbps, the slowest package only goes up to 10 Mbps, and the city-wide average maximum speed for Hickory customers is up to 39 Mbps.
Show all download speeds
- 17.6% up to 100.0 Mbps
- 6.6% up to 75.0 Mbps
- 12.5% up to 50.0 Mbps
- 24.5% up to 25.0 Mbps
- 38.9% up to 10.0 Mbps
AT&T DSL upload speeds
In Hickory download speeds tend to be faster than than upload speeds for AT&T DSL. Compared to other ISPs, AT&T is below average where upload speeds are concerned, and one of the fastest compared to other Hickory DSL providers. AT&T offers 4 different upload speeds across the city, so your internet plan's upload speed may vary by neighborhood . The fastest upload speed available to anyone from this ISP in Hickory is up to 20 Mbps. Some customers have slower plan choices, which only go up to 1.0 Mbps. On average, AT&T customers can get speeds up to 7.7 Mbps.
Show all upload speeds
- 24.1% up to 20.0 Mbps
- 12.5% up to 10.0 Mbps
- 24.5% up to 5.0 Mbps
- 38.9% up to 1.0 Mbps
EarthLink DSL in Hickory, NC
EarthLink DSL coverage
About 1.86%, or 1,202 people, have EarthLink DSL internet available to them in the city. The company covers the southwest, south, northeast, and southeast Hickory area. EarthLink is one of the largest internet service providers internet service providers in the US, with internet service available in a very small piece of Hickory.
EarthLink DSL download speeds
EarthLink is below average when comparing download speeds to all other internet providers in Hickory. Versus other DSL providers in the area, EarthLink DSL is one of the fastest. There are 5 different maximum speeds throughout Hickory. The fastest plan anyone in Hickory can order from EarthLink goes up to 100 Mbps, the slowest package only goes up to 10 Mbps, and the city-wide average maximum speed for Hickory customers is up to 39 Mbps.
Show all download speeds
- 17.6% up to 100.0 Mbps
- 6.6% up to 75.0 Mbps
- 12.5% up to 50.0 Mbps
- 24.5% up to 25.0 Mbps
- 38.9% up to 10.0 Mbps
EarthLink DSL upload speeds
In Hickory download speeds tend to be faster than than upload speeds for EarthLink DSL. Compared to other ISPs, EarthLink is below average where upload speeds are concerned, and one of the fastest compared to other Hickory DSL providers. EarthLink offers 4 different upload speeds across the city, so your internet plan's upload speed may vary by neighborhood . The fastest upload speed available to anyone from this ISP in Hickory is up to 20 Mbps. Some customers have slower plan choices, which only go up to 1.0 Mbps. On average, EarthLink customers can get speeds up to 7.7 Mbps.
Show all upload speeds
- 24.1% up to 20.0 Mbps
- 12.5% up to 10.0 Mbps
- 24.5% up to 5.0 Mbps
- 38.9% up to 1.0 Mbps
Brightspeed Fiber in Hickory, NC
Brightspeed fiber coverage
About 1.01%, or 652 people, have Brightspeed fiber internet available to them in the city. The company covers the northeast Hickory area. Brightspeed is one of the largest internet service providers internet service providers in the US, with internet service available in a very small piece of Hickory.
Brightspeed fiber download speeds
Brightspeed is below average when comparing download speeds to all other internet providers in Hickory. Versus other fiber providers in the area, Brightspeed fiber is the slowest. There are 2 different maximum speeds throughout Hickory. The fastest plan anyone in Hickory can order from Brightspeed goes up to 1,000 Mbps, the slowest package only goes up to 940 Mbps, and the city-wide average maximum speed for Hickory customers is up to 972 Mbps.
Show all download speeds
- 53.2% up to 1,000.0 Mbps
- 46.8% up to 940.0 Mbps
Brightspeed fiber upload speeds
In Hickory download speeds tend to be equal to than upload speeds for Brightspeed fiber. Compared to other ISPs, Brightspeed is above average where upload speeds are concerned, and below average compared to other Hickory fiber providers. Brightspeed offers 2 different upload speeds across the city, so your internet plan's upload speed may vary by neighborhood . The fastest upload speed available to anyone from this ISP in Hickory is up to 1,000 Mbps. Some customers have slower plan choices, which only go up to 940 Mbps. On average, Brightspeed customers can get speeds up to 972 Mbps.
Show all upload speeds
- 53.2% up to 1,000.0 Mbps
- 46.8% up to 940.0 Mbps
T-Mobile Home Internet Fixed Wireless in Hickory, NC
T-Mobile Home Internet fixed wireless coverage
About 95.67%, or 61,990 people, have T-Mobile Home Internet fixed wireless internet available to them in the city. The company covers the entire Hickory area. T-Mobile Home Internet is one of the largest internet service providers internet service providers in the US, with internet service available in most of Hickory.
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 Hickory. Versus other fixed wireless providers in the area, T-Mobile Home Internet fixed wireless is average. There are 2 different maximum speeds throughout Hickory. The fastest plan anyone in Hickory can order from T-Mobile Home Internet goes up to 100 Mbps, the slowest package only goes up to 25 Mbps, and the city-wide average maximum speed for Hickory customers is up to 83 Mbps.
Show all download speeds
- 77.1% up to 100.0 Mbps
- 22.9% up to 25.0 Mbps
T-Mobile Home Internet fixed wireless upload speeds
In Hickory 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 Hickory fixed wireless providers. T-Mobile Home Internet offers 2 different upload speeds across the city, so your internet plan's upload speed may vary by neighborhood . The fastest upload speed available to anyone from this ISP in Hickory 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 16 Mbps.
Show all upload speeds
- 77.1% up to 20.0 Mbps
- 22.9% up to 3.0 Mbps
Carolina West Wireless Fixed Wireless in Hickory, NC
Carolina West fixed wireless coverage
About 94.99%, or 61,544 people, have Carolina West fixed wireless internet available to them in the city. The company covers the entire Hickory area. Carolina West is a large internet service provider internet service providers in the US, with internet service available in most of Hickory.
Carolina West Wireless fixed wireless download speeds
Carolina West is below average when comparing download speeds to all other internet providers in Hickory. Versus other fixed wireless providers in the area, Carolina West fixed wireless is below average. There are no different maximum speeds throughout Hickory. The fastest plan anyone in Hickory can order from Carolina West goes up to 25 Mbps, and all Hickory customers can get this speed.
Show all download speeds
- 100.0% up to 25.0 Mbps
Carolina West Wireless fixed wireless upload speeds
In Hickory download speeds tend to be faster than than upload speeds for Carolina West fixed wireless. Compared to other ISPs, Carolina West is below average where upload speeds are concerned, and below average compared to other Hickory fixed wireless providers. Carolina West offers no different upload speeds across the city. The fastest upload speed available to anyone from this ISP in Hickory is up to 3.0 Mbps, which is available to everyone covered.
Show all upload speeds
- 100.0% up to 3.0 Mbps
EarthLink Fixed Wireless in Hickory, NC
EarthLink fixed wireless coverage
About 85.65%, or 55,498 people, have EarthLink fixed wireless internet available to them in the city. The company covers the entire Hickory area. EarthLink is one of the largest internet service providers internet service providers in the US, with internet service available in most of Hickory.
EarthLink fixed wireless download speeds
EarthLink is below average when comparing download speeds to all other internet providers in Hickory. Versus other fixed wireless providers in the area, EarthLink fixed wireless is below average. There are 2 different maximum speeds throughout Hickory. The fastest plan anyone in Hickory can order from EarthLink goes up to 100 Mbps, the slowest package only goes up to 25 Mbps, and the city-wide average maximum speed for Hickory customers is up to 36 Mbps.
Show all download speeds
- 14.1% up to 100.0 Mbps
- 85.9% up to 25.0 Mbps
EarthLink fixed wireless upload speeds
In Hickory download speeds tend to be faster than than upload speeds for EarthLink fixed wireless. Compared to other ISPs, EarthLink is below average where upload speeds are concerned, and below average compared to other Hickory fixed wireless providers. EarthLink offers 2 different upload speeds across the city, so your internet plan's upload speed may vary by neighborhood . The fastest upload speed available to anyone from this ISP in Hickory 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 5.4 Mbps.
Show all upload speeds
- 14.1% up to 20.0 Mbps
- 85.9% up to 3.0 Mbps
AT&T Fixed Wireless in Hickory, NC
AT&T fixed wireless coverage
About 85.65%, or 55,498 people, have AT&T fixed wireless internet available to them in the city. The company covers the entire Hickory area. AT&T is one of the largest internet service providers internet service providers in the US, with internet service available in most of Hickory.
AT&T fixed wireless download speeds
AT&T is below average when comparing download speeds to all other internet providers in Hickory. Versus other fixed wireless providers in the area, AT&T fixed wireless is below average. There are 2 different maximum speeds throughout Hickory. The fastest plan anyone in Hickory can order from AT&T goes up to 100 Mbps, the slowest package only goes up to 25 Mbps, and the city-wide average maximum speed for Hickory customers is up to 36 Mbps.
Show all download speeds
- 14.1% up to 100.0 Mbps
- 85.9% up to 25.0 Mbps
AT&T fixed wireless upload speeds
In Hickory download speeds tend to be faster than than upload speeds for AT&T fixed wireless. Compared to other ISPs, AT&T is below average where upload speeds are concerned, and below average compared to other Hickory fixed wireless providers. AT&T offers 2 different upload speeds across the city, so your internet plan's upload speed may vary by neighborhood . The fastest upload speed available to anyone from this ISP in Hickory 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 5.4 Mbps.
Show all upload speeds
- 14.1% up to 20.0 Mbps
- 85.9% up to 3.0 Mbps
River Street Networks Fixed Wireless in Hickory, NC
River Street fixed wireless coverage
About 78.83%, or 51,076 people, have River Street fixed wireless internet available to them in the city. The company covers the entire Hickory area. River Street is a large internet service provider internet service providers in the US, with internet service available in much of Hickory.
River Street Networks fixed wireless download speeds
River Street is the slowest when comparing download speeds to all other internet providers in Hickory. Versus other fixed wireless providers in the area, River Street fixed wireless is the slowest. There are 2 different maximum speeds throughout Hickory. The fastest plan anyone in Hickory can order from River Street goes up to 25 Mbps, the slowest package only goes up to 10 Mbps, and the city-wide average maximum speed for Hickory customers is up to 19 Mbps.
Show all download speeds
- 61.1% up to 25.0 Mbps
- 38.9% up to 10.0 Mbps
River Street Networks fixed wireless upload speeds
In Hickory download speeds tend to be faster than than upload speeds for River Street fixed wireless. Compared to other ISPs, River Street is the slowest where upload speeds are concerned, and the slowest compared to other Hickory fixed wireless providers. River Street offers 2 different upload speeds across the city, so your internet plan's upload speed may vary by neighborhood . The fastest upload speed available to anyone from this ISP in Hickory is up to 3.0 Mbps. Some customers have slower plan choices, which only go up to 1.0 Mbps. On average, River Street customers can get speeds up to 2.2 Mbps.
Show all upload speeds
- 61.1% up to 3.0 Mbps
- 38.9% up to 1.0 Mbps
Verizon Fixed Wireless in Hickory, NC
Verizon fixed wireless coverage
About 54.19%, or 35,111 people, have Verizon fixed wireless internet available to them in the city. The company covers the entire Hickory area. Verizon is one of the largest internet service providers internet service providers in the US, with internet service available in a majority of Hickory.
Verizon fixed wireless download speeds
Verizon is below average when comparing download speeds to all other internet providers in Hickory. Versus other fixed wireless providers in the area, Verizon fixed wireless is the fastest. There are no different maximum speeds throughout Hickory. The fastest plan anyone in Hickory can order from Verizon goes up to 300 Mbps, and all Hickory customers can get this speed.
Show all download speeds
- 100.0% up to 300.0 Mbps
Verizon fixed wireless upload speeds
In Hickory 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 Hickory fixed wireless providers. Verizon offers no different upload speeds across the city. The fastest upload speed available to anyone from this ISP in Hickory is up to 20 Mbps, which is available to everyone covered.
Show all upload speeds
- 100.0% up to 20.0 Mbps
Hickory Internet by Area
This information is most helpful to those looking for homes or considering moving to Hickory or any of the areas nearby.
How does internet in Hickory compare to the rest of North Carolina?
Internet speeds in Hickory are slower versus the average speeds in North Carolina: 3,368 Mbps in North Carolina versus 2,926 Mbps in the city. The state has similar internet availability compared to the city. Average internet coverage in North Carolina is 98.38% versus 98.42% in Hickory.
What zip codes have widespread internet?
Internet coverage varies by zip code and neighborhood. Some examples in or around Hickory 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 cities?
Below are cities nearby and with similar populations. This comparison can be useful if living somewhere with fast internet is important to you.
Nearby Cities
- Brookford, NC: more internet coverage, slower speeds
- Long View, NC: more internet coverage, slower speeds
- St. Stephens, NC: more internet coverage, slower speeds
- Hildebran, NC: more internet coverage, slower speeds
- Rhodhiss, NC: more internet coverage, slower speeds
- Conover, NC: more internet coverage, slower speeds
- Granite Falls, NC: more internet coverage, slower speeds
- Rutherford College, NC: more internet coverage, slower speeds
- Newton, NC: more internet coverage, slower speeds
- Startown, NC: more internet coverage, slower speeds
Cities with Similar Populations
- Belleville, IL: more internet coverage, faster speeds
- Woodland, CA: more internet coverage, faster speeds
- Niagara Falls, NY: more internet coverage, slower speeds
- Mechanicsville, VA: more internet coverage, faster speeds
- Martinsburg, WV: more internet coverage, faster speeds
- Lebanon, PA: more internet coverage, slower speeds
- Laguna Niguel, CA: more internet coverage, slower speeds
- Hot Springs, AR: more internet coverage, slower speeds
- Eden Prairie, MN: more internet coverage, slower speeds
- Casa Grande, AZ: more internet coverage, slower speeds