Internet providers in Hickory, North Carolina 28602
ZIP code 28602 is in Hickory, Catawba County, North Carolina. Compare the major providers below, then check availability for your address.
Internet in Hickory 28602: local snapshot
About 85% of the 11,535 households in 28602 have a broadband subscription, 4 points below the North Carolina average of 89%. That ranks 28602#413 of 765 ZIP codes in North Carolina for broadband adoption.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates (2023). These figures describe the area, not the providers available at your address.
Compare internet providers in Hickory, North Carolina
Share of residential locations in Hickory where each provider reports service, from the FCC National Broadband Map (data as of December 31, 2025). Availability depends on your exact address.
| # | Provider | Technology (varies by address) | Locations covered | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Carolina RSA 3 Cellular Telephone | Fixed wireless | 99%+ | |
| 2 | Spectrum | Fiber, Cable | 89% | |
| 3 | Brightspeed | Fiber, DSL | 80% | |
| 4 | AT&T | Fiber, DSL, Fixed wireless | 75% | Check availability |
| 5 | Verizon | Fiber, Fixed wireless | 72% | Check availability |
| 6 | T-Mobile Home Internet | Fixed wireless | 71% | |
| 7 | Wilkes Telephone Membership | Fiber, DSL, Fixed wireless | 55% | |
| 8 | Metronet | Fiber | 45% | |
| 9 | Ripple Fiber | Fiber | <1% |
Satellite internet
| 1 | HughesNet | Satellite | 99%+ | |
| 2 | Viasat | Satellite | 99%+ | |
| 3 | Starlink | Satellite | 99%+ |
Satellite service is available at nearly every address but typically has higher latency than wired options.
Provider-reported coverage does not guarantee service or speeds at a specific address. Some "Check availability" links are affiliate links; we may earn a commission at no cost to you. How we make money.
What technologies are available in Hickory?
Fiber reaches about 49% of locations in Hickory, so it is available in parts of the area but not everywhere. Gigabit-class service (1,000 Mbps down) is reported for about 50% of locations. Fixed wireless home internet is reported for about 99%+ of locations.
FCC National Broadband Map, data as of December 31, 2025: share of residential locations in Hickory that providers report they can serve. City-level figures, not your address.
What to know about internet in Hickory 28602
North Carolina RSA 3 Cellular Telephone reports service to the most residential locations in Hickory, about 100%. 7 providers report coverage of at least half of locations (North Carolina RSA 3 Cellular Telephone, Spectrum, Brightspeed, AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile Home Internet, and Wilkes Telephone Membership), so the market looks competitive. Fiber-focused providers reporting service here include Metronet (45%). North Carolina RSA 3 Cellular Telephone and T-Mobile Home Internet offer fixed wireless home internet, an option if you prefer no cable or fiber installation.
Broadband adoption in 28602 (85%) is lower than the Hickory average of 88%. The median age of residents is 40.
Frequently asked questions
Is fiber internet available in Hickory?
Yes, in part. About 49% of residential locations in Hickory can get fiber, 88% can get cable, and about 50% can get gigabit-class speeds, per FCC data. Availability depends on your exact address.
Which internet provider has the widest coverage in Hickory?
North Carolina RSA 3 Cellular Telephone reports service to about 100% of residential locations in Hickory, the most of any provider, per FCC data. Availability still depends on your address.
How many internet providers serve Hickory?
8 providers report service to at least 2% of locations in Hickory, and 7 cover at least half. Satellite (HughesNet, Viasat, Starlink) is also available nearly everywhere.
Is there fiber internet in Hickory?
Fiber providers reporting service in Hickory include Metronet (45% of locations). Other providers may also offer fiber in parts of the city, so check your address.
What is the difference between fiber, cable and DSL?
Fiber offers the fastest and most consistent speeds, cable is widely available with high download speeds, and DSL runs over phone lines and is usually slower. See our guide for details.
What internet speed do I need in Hickory 28602?
Most households are well served by 100–300 Mbps. Heavy streaming, gaming or many connected devices may benefit from 500 Mbps or more.
Other ZIP codes in Hickory
Internet providers near Hickory
- Newton, NC (7 mi)
- Lenoir, NC (16 mi)
- Lincolnton, NC (19 mi)
- Morganton, NC (21 mi)
- Lake Norman of Catawba, NC (21 mi)
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