When choosing an internet provider in the Palmetto State, it is essential to understand the dramatic differences in access between urban and rural regions before assessing top providers like AT&T, Comcast Xfinity, and Spectrum. Statewide, over one million South Carolinians lack fixed broadband connectivity according to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) data. Cost, speeds, and availability vary widely depending on your address.
This technology guide, tailored for South Carolina residents, offers an expert overview of major Internet Service Providers (ISPs) highlighting key traits to inform your decision.
Urban vs Rural Internet Divide
South Carolina embodies the urban-rural digital divide plaguing much of the US. While major metros enjoy blazing fast speeds from fiber and cable networks, many rural counties rely on sluggish DSL or satellite internet unfit for modern demands.
Urban residents of cities like Charleston, Columbia and Greenville can choose between high-speed cable, fiber or fixed wireless plans up to 1000 Mbps from major and regional providers. Competition drives faster speeds and lower pricing.
Rural connectivity paints a stark contrast. Over 35% of rural households completely lack fixed internet availability according to FCC data. Remote areas serviced at all depend on slower technologies like DSL, fixed wireless or satellite internet.
The state government has prioritized closing this urban-rural gap in connectivity with ConnectSC and grant programs targeting underserved areas. The rise of 5G and low-orbit satellites also promise future connectivity gains for rural regions.
But progress remains slow. Selecting an ISP comes down to balancing cost, speed and availability for your address across a mix of old and new network technologies.
Key Factors When Choosing Internet Service
1. Check availability – Many major providers only offer service to certain regions, cities or neighborhoods in South Carolina.
2. Identify technology types – Fiber and cable deliver faster speeds than DSL or fixed wireless but availability varies.
3. Compare speeds – Minimum 25 Mbps for basic use but 100+ Mbps best for households with many devices.
4. Evaluate data caps – Caps as low as 10-50GB can lead to overage fees although some providers offer unlimited data.
5. Understand contract terms – Shorter contracts provide more flexibility if you move but may have extra fees.
6. Bundle services – Bundling internet, TV and phone may offer savings compared to internet alone.
7. Confirm prices – Many low introductory rates rise significantly after 1-2 years requiring renegotiation.
Now let‘s examine major internet providers in South Carolina across three categories – nationwide cable/telecoms, regional carriers and rural internet providers.
Top National Internet Providers in South Carolina
The largest cable and telecom internet providers hold the most subscribers in South Carolina concentrated in major metros but lack uniform statewide coverage at top speeds.
1. Xfinity from Comcast
- Technology: Cable, fiber
- Download Speeds: 50 Mbps – 1000 Mbps
- Monthly Price: $20 – $300
- Data Caps: Yes, 1TB
- Contracts: 1-2 years
The nation‘s largest cable provider offers internet under its Xfinity brand leveraging both cable and fiber networks concentrated in Charleston, Columbia and Greenville areas although expanding statewide. Speeds vary drastically but can reach up to 1000 Mbps down / 35 Mbps up via gigabit fiber service for $300 monthly with a 1 year contract. More common cable plans offer 100 to 200 Mbps speeds for $50-90 per month with 1 TB data caps. Xfinity internet can be bundled with TV, home security and mobile service.
2. AT&T Internet
- Technology: Fiber, DSL, fixed wireless
- Download Speeds: 10 – 1000 Mbps
- Monthly Price: $55+
- Data Caps: Yes, 1TB for fiber
- Contracts: 1 year
AT&T provides a range of internet services under various brand names (AT&T Internet, AT&T Fiber) using fiber, DSL and fixed cellular networks. Fiber availability is limited but offers symmetrical gigabit speeds up to 1000 Mbps for $60-100 per month with 1 TB data caps. More common DSL plans deliver 10 to 100 Mbps with comparable pricing but slower performance. Bundling with DirecTV or wireless plans can offer discounts for some customers.
3. Spectrum Internet
- Technology: Cable
- Download Speeds: 100 – 1000 Mbps
- Monthly Price: $50 – $125
- Data Caps: No cap
- Contracts: None
Charter Spectrum uses cable infrastructure to provide internet under its eponymous Spectrum brand, reaching over 2 million residences statewide although concentrated around bigger cities like Columbia, Charleston and Greenville while lacking uniform rural access. Peak speeds of 1000/35 are available to some customers willing to pay $125 monthly under Spectrum‘s best "Gig" plan with no data cap. Slower plans from 100-400 Mbps still suffice most cord-cutting households for prices ranging $50-$90 per month on either month to month or 1-year terms.
Internet Provider Availability Map
This heat map shows broadband availability statewide from ConnectSC program data as of 2022, vividly depicting gaps in rural vs urban counties:
*Image courtesy of ConnectSC*
Rural areas in dark red indicate over 50% lack fixed broadband internet options entirely.
South Carolina Urban vs Rural Broadband Access Statistics
Comparing FCC and U.S. Census data on broadband availability quantifies the unequal state of South Carolina’s internet infrastructure based simply on location:
| City/County | Households without 25/3 Mbps fixed internet |
|---|---|
| Charleston city | 2% |
| Greenville city | 2% |
| Richland (Columbia) | 8% |
| South Carolina average | 22% |
| Marion county | 12% |
| Laurens county | 26% |
| McCormick county | 47% |
*Data Source: U.S Census American Community Survey 2019*
Rural residents face dramatically fewer (and slower) internet options depending simply on their address. Improving availability requires proactive coordination between state and federal programs, local governments, and telecom providers.
Regional & Local South Carolina Internet Providers
Beyond big cable and telecoms, regional and local ISPs help fill broadband gaps with more personalized service.
4. Palmetto Rural Telephone Cooperative
Palmetto Rural Telephone Cooperative (PRTC) is a member-owned co-op providing high-speed fiber and fixed wireless internet across central South Carolina for over 70 years focused on improving rural access.
- Technology: Fiber, fixed wireless
- Download Speeds: 50 – 1000 Mbps
- Monthly Price: $50
- Data Caps: No caps
- Contracts: None
Offering symmetrical speeds up to 1000 Mbps with no data caps and 5G fixed wireless service, this homegrown non-profit co-op connects areas larger corporate ISPs ignore. PRTC continues winning state & federal infrastructure grants to remove roadblocks slowing rural fiber expansion for better future connectivity.
5. Horry Telephone Cooperative
Local provider Horry Telephone Cooperative (HTC) supplies fiber internet, cable modems and DSL covering Horry and Marion counties in northeastern South Carolina, including Myrtle Beach.
- Technology: Fiber, cable, DSL
- Download Speeds: 50 – 1000 Mbps
- Monthly Price: $50+
- Data Caps: No caps
- Contracts: 1 year
Started in the 1950s, this member-owned co-op offers beach residents fiber speeds up to 1000 Mbps using state and federal rural expansion grants aiming to bridge coastal connectivity gaps left unserved by major ISPs.
6. Home Telecom
Regional provider Home Telecom utilizes fixed wireless and fiber to supply internet access in sections of the Pee Dee region of northeastern South Carolina.
- Technology: Fixed wireless, fiber
- Download Speeds: 25 – 100 Mbps
- Monthly Price: $60
- Data Caps: 250GB
- Contracts: None
This family-owned ISP focuses on rural communities in the Pee Dee area providing service where others do not reaching speeds up to 100 Mbps, notably with no long term contracts. But data is capped at 250GB per month overage charges apply.
7. Clearwave Fiber
Regional fiber optic provider Clearwave builds out high-speed networks specializing in condos, apartments and businesses currently operating in Greenville, Spartanburg, South Carolina as well as Georgia and Florida.
- Technology: Fiber
- Download Speeds: 300 Mbps – 1Gbps
- Monthly Price: $55
- Data Caps: No caps
- Contracts: None
Clearwave provides an affordable fiber alternative to dominant cable providers for multi-dwelling units and businesses with flexible month-to-month plans and symmetrical speeds up to 1 Gbps for $55-75 monthly.
Rural Internet Providers
Citizens in remote areas without access to traditional cable or DSL providers require alternative technologies like satellite or fixed wireless able to span wider geographies.
8. Viasat Internet
- Technology: Satellite
- Download Speeds: 12 – 100 Mbps
- Monthly Price: $50 – $150
- Data Caps: Yes
- Contracts: 24 months
Viasat (formerly Exede) offers satellite internet under its premium Exede and Viasat plans focused on rural regions unreachable by fiber or cable. Speeds range from 12 to 100 Mbps down depending on location, with prices spanning $50 to $150 monthly for data capped plans between 10 and 150 GB. Viasat’s networks feature newer satellites and advanced compression improving performance over early satellite internet with faster speeds and unlimited off-peak data but require long 24 month contracts. Latency over 400ms lags other technologies making it less suitable for real-time apps requiring responsiveness.
9. HughesNet
- Technology: Satellite
- Download Speeds: 25 Mbps
- Monthly Price: $60
- Data Caps: 50 GB
- Contracts: 24 months
As America‘s first satellite internet provider since before 2000, HughesNet maintains millions of rural subscribers. But performance pales compared to modern cable and fiber with throttled speeds, low data caps and high latency. Pricing spans $60 to $150 monthly for speeds up to 25 Mbps and data allowances of 10 to 50 GB per month before heavy throttling or overage charges kick in. Like all geostationary satellite internet providers, HughesNet suffers from high 600 millisecond+ latency due to physics. Required contracts span 2 years to recoup equipment costs. While speeds and caps continue improving incrementally, finite satellite capacity leads to ongoing performance limitations compared to other technologies.
10. Rise Broadband
- Technology: Fixed Wireless
- Download Speeds: 25 – 50 Mbps
- Monthly Price: $45-85
- Data Caps: 50-150+ GB*
- Contracts: None
Leveraging fixed point-to-point wireless networks transmitting signals between towers up to 30 miles apart, Rise Broadband specializes in bringing service to rural regions otherwise lacking options. Speeds reach 50 Mbps for $85 monthly over wide swaths of central South Carolina away from dense city areas. Data is capped but higher plans include 100GB+ acceptable for most families without streaming 4K video. No long term contracts provide flexibility for rural users but equipment fees apply.
11. Blue Peak Wireless
Regional provider Blue Peak utilizes fixed wireless networks to deliver internet to poorly served communities across parts of Upstate South Carolina.
- Technology: Fixed Wireless
- Download Speeds: 10 – 25 Mbps
- Monthly Price: $50
- Data Caps: 50GB
- Contracts: 1 year term
Offering 10-25 Mbps speeds, Blue Peak fixed wireless competes primarily on price undercutting sluggish legacy DSL providers still prevalent in rural regions. But data allowance of 50GB means most households require upgrading to higher and costlier plans. Contracts span 1-2 years.
12. AT&T Fixed Wireless
- Technology: Fixed Wireless
- Download Speeds: 50 – 100+ Mbps
- Monthly Price: $60
- Data Caps: 1TB
- Contracts: None
In rare cases lacking both fiber and copper infrastructure, AT&T provides fixed wireless internet beaming signals between cellular towers directly to rural homes. Speeds reach over 100 Mbps for $60 monthly depending on signal strength. Despite lower reliability than wired options, fixed wireless closes stubborn gaps for households unreachable otherwise.
Satellite Internet Drawbacks
Despite offering comprehensive geographic coverage, both traditional satellite internet providers – Viasat and HughesNet – suffer inherent performance limits compared to wired internet or newer low-orbit satellites like SpaceX‘s Starlink still rolling out. Factors hindering satellite capacity and speeds include:
- High orbital latency – 600 millisecond delays due to physics
- Low monthly data caps – Just 10-50 GB before speed throttling or overages
- Slow maximum speeds – Up to 25 Mbps down limited by sharing a single satellite’s capacity
- Extreme weather disruption – Heavy rain or snow can temporarily block signals
- Required long-term contracts – Up to 2 years to offset equipment costs
Congestion on existing geostationary broadband satellites serves millions of users unable to get traditional internet but leads to an often frustrating experience ill-suited for modern demands.
Until emerging options like Starlink or 5G fixed wireless mature in coming years, rural regions lag stuck with either plodding DSL speeds or bandwidth-constrained satellite internet.
Decision Criteria Evaluating Internet Providers
Hopefully this outline of top ISPs throughout South Carolina – from dense urban areas to remote rural regions – provides useful background evaluating options based on your address.
Beyond just maximum advertised speeds, compare providers across these key criteria:
1. Internet technology – Fiber and modern DOCSIS 3.1 cable networks deliver faster, more reliable speeds with lower latency than legacy DSL or satellite constrained by old infrastructure. Local providers concentrate on expanding fiber.
2. Typical download speeds – Minimum 25 Mbps suits basic usage but optimal performance requires closer to 100 Mbps allowing simultaneous 4K streaming, gaming and video calls. Rural DSL often lacks such capacity.
3. Monthly pricing – Costs range from $20 for slower wireline service up to $150 for premium satellite plans with many cheap introductory deals rising after 1-2 years.
4. Data caps – Majority now implement caps from 150 GB to 1 TB with overage fees, especially on satellite and cellular fixed wireless prone to congestion.
5. Contract commitment – Shorter terms provide flexibility but may have activation and equipment fees. Long 2 year satellite contracts offset costly rooftop dish installation.
6. Bundled services – Customers can achieve savings by bundling TV, mobility or smart home services rather than internet alone.
7. Local support & service – Smaller regional telcos and municipalities like PRTC, HTC and Oconee often provide superior local support compared to impersonal national ISPs.
Understanding these key criteria helps find the provider delivering your target speeds at the lowest hassle and cost based on service at your address. Those in rural areas face the toughest tradeoffs across internet technologies but various initiatives aim to fund improved access going forward.
Do you feel better equipped weighing factors choosing between available internet providers in your area? What other questions arise examining options to best meet your family’s connectivity needs?
