In North Carolina, you’ll select from 6 mobile wireless carriers listed below. 99.0% of North Carolina’s land area is covered by some kind of wireless service, as are 99.94% of North Carolina’s 10,155,597 residents. 5G reception covers up to 94.89% of people while they are sitting at home. Note that we may have a financial relationship with some of the North Carolina providers below. This does not influence what data we show, and helps us provide high-quality, detailed information for free.
North Carolina Top Cell Providers
Plans include 5G where available.
Coverage:
T-Mobile Network
Data Speeds:
Same as T-Mobile below
Plans start at $15/mo.
View plans
Mint Mobile provides very affordable plans using the same network as T-Mobile throughout the United States.
Plans include 5G where available.
Coverage:
Verizon Network
Data Speeds:
Same as Verizon below
Plans start at $30/mo.
View plans
Visible offers unlimited data, talk and text for $30/month powered by Verizon.
T-Mobile 5G available in North Carolina
Coverage:
98.12% of North Carolina
99.34% of the USA
Data Speeds:
5G: 94.79%
4G: 97.83%
3G or 2G: 92.21%
Plans start at $30/mo.
More about T-Mobile in North Carolina
T-Mobile Data Speeds and Coverage in North Carolina
T-Mobile covers 98.12% of homes in the state with mobile data. The fastest cellular data speed available is 5G. Coverage by homes and land mass (the % of acres with cell coverage versus the total acreage in North Carolina) is shown below.
Tech |
% Homes |
% Land |
---|---|---|
5G |
94.79% |
76.83% |
4G |
97.83% |
85.26% |
2G or 3G |
92.21% |
60.93% |
5G is the fastest wireless internet and data speed for 94.79% of homes. 4G is the fastest cell coverage for 3.04% of homes. 0.00% of homes can only receive 2G or 3G data. We rank T-Mobile as #1 out of 6 for a combination of coverage and speed among North Carolina mobile providers.
T-Mobile Voice Quality in North Carolina
5G voice quality can be very clear, and is available to 94.79% of homes. 4G voice is considered HD, and is available at 97.84% of North Carolina homes. 93.60% of homes can make calls using older 2G or 3G voice technology.
AT&T Wireless 5G available in North Carolina
Coverage:
99.64% of North Carolina
98.83% of the USA
Data Speeds:
5G: 19.96%
4G: 99.55%
3G or 2G: 98.66%
More about AT&T Wireless in North Carolina
AT&T Wireless Data Speeds and Coverage in North Carolina
AT&T Wireless covers 99.64% of homes in the state with mobile data. The fastest cellular data speed available is 5G. Coverage by homes and land mass (the % of acres with cell coverage versus the total acreage in North Carolina) is shown below.
Tech |
% Homes |
% Land |
---|---|---|
5G |
19.96% |
4.72% |
4G |
99.55% |
95.90% |
2G or 3G |
98.66% |
89.79% |
5G is the fastest wireless internet and data speed for 19.96% of homes. 4G is the fastest cell coverage for 79.59% of homes. 0.00% of homes can only receive 2G or 3G data. We rank AT&T Wireless as #2 out of 6 for a combination of coverage and speed among North Carolina mobile providers.
AT&T Wireless Voice Quality in North Carolina
5G voice quality can be very clear, and is available to 19.96% of homes. 4G voice is considered HD, and is available at 99.55% of North Carolina homes. 98.66% of homes can make calls using older 2G or 3G voice technology.
Verizon Wireless 5G available in North Carolina
Coverage:
99.73% of North Carolina
98.82% of the USA
Data Speeds:
5G: 0.23%
4G: 99.72%
3G or 2G: 71.81%
Plans start at $35/mo.
More about Verizon Wireless in North Carolina
Verizon Wireless Data Speeds and Coverage in North Carolina
Verizon Wireless covers 99.73% of homes in the state with mobile data. The fastest cellular data speed available is 5G. Coverage by homes and land mass (the % of acres with cell coverage versus the total acreage in North Carolina) is shown below.
Tech |
% Homes |
% Land |
---|---|---|
5G |
0.23% |
0.02% |
4G |
99.72% |
97.78% |
2G or 3G |
71.81% |
85.19% |
5G is the fastest wireless internet and data speed for 0.23% of homes. 4G is the fastest cell coverage for 99.49% of homes. 0.00% of homes can only receive 2G or 3G data. We rank Verizon Wireless as #3 out of 6 for a combination of coverage and speed among North Carolina mobile providers.
Verizon Wireless Voice Quality in North Carolina
5G voice quality can be very clear, and is available to 0.23% of homes. 4G voice is considered HD, and is available at 99.72% of North Carolina homes. 71.06% of homes can make calls using older 2G or 3G voice technology.
Coverage percentages on this page are based on the percent of North Carolina homes that would be covered by cellular service of any kind, unless specified as North Carolina land area.
Fastest Cell Service Down to the North Carolina Neighborhood
The map below shows where Verizon, AT&T, or T-Mobile are faster in North Carolina. Areas with no clear winner are shown as ties.
Overall, North Carolina ranks #22 out of 52 states and territories for the fastest mobile internet network speeds in the United States.
Best North Carolina Cell Provider Key
The eastern parts of the state feature better overall coverage for faster data. The opposite is true in the northwestern areas of North Carolina where mobile data speeds are generally slower.
Best Coverage & Data Speeds in North Carolina: T-Mobile
Among the largest cell phone companies in the United States, T-Mobile has the best speed and coverage in North Carolina. T-Mobile has 5G that covers 94.79% of the state. Cell service of any type reaches 99.73% of North Carolina homes.
Cheap Options for Mobile Service in North Carolina
If the price of a North Carolina mobile plan is a major concern for you, cheaper mobile plans are available as well. There are several options available in North Carolina including pre-paid, no-contract plans that start as low as $15 per line. Many of these providers such as Mint, Boost, and Cricket partner with the three major carriers to provide excellent coverage nationwide. With these discount options, the price of your North Carolina wireless plan will quickly rise if you add additional lines or features such as a hotspot or unlimited data.
Plans include 5G where available.
Coverage:
T-Mobile Network
Data Speeds:
Same as T-Mobile above
Plans start at $15/mo.
View plans
Mint Mobile provides very affordable plans using the same network as T-Mobile throughout the United States.
These providers all offer excellent coverage at a lower price compared to more well-known brands. Mint is generally regarded as the most affordable provider for unlimited data, with a high "throttle cap" of 35GB. Depending on where you live, you may prefer the AT&T network coverage offered by Cricket. Boost is a good option for international travelers.
Local Mobile Providers in North Carolina
The companies below provide service to areas smaller than the entire United States. For example, they may have a cell tower in North Carolina, and then partner with larger national companies to provide national service for traveling customers. We display network partners to the best of our ability but cannot guarantee coverage or charges outside of North Carolina and the providers’ coverage areas.
US Cellular 5G available in North Carolina
Coverage:
93.23% of North Carolina
9.86% of the USA
Data Speeds:
5G: 8.50%
4G: 91.10%
3G or 2G: 87.67%
Plans start at $30/mo.
More about US Cellular in North Carolina
US Cellular Data Speeds and Coverage in North Carolina
US Cellular covers 93.23% of homes in the state with mobile data. The fastest cellular data speed available is 5G. Coverage by homes and land mass (the % of acres with cell coverage versus the total acreage in North Carolina) is shown below.
Tech |
% Homes |
% Land |
---|---|---|
5G |
8.50% |
3.52% |
4G |
91.10% |
81.27% |
2G or 3G |
87.67% |
83.59% |
5G is the fastest wireless internet and data speed for 8.50% of homes. 4G is the fastest cell coverage for 82.60% of homes. 0.00% of homes can only receive 2G or 3G data. We rank US Cellular as #4 out of 6 for a combination of coverage and speed among North Carolina mobile providers.
US Cellular Voice Quality in North Carolina
5G voice quality can be very clear, and is available to 8.50% of homes. 4G voice is considered HD, and is available at 91.10% of North Carolina homes. 87.67% of homes can make calls using older 2G or 3G voice technology.
Coverage:
84.38% of North Carolina
0.26% of the USA
Data Speeds:
4G: 78.68%
3G or 2G: 82.39%
More about Carolina West Wireless in North Carolina
Carolina West Wireless Data Speeds and Coverage in North Carolina
Carolina West Wireless covers 84.38% of homes in the state with mobile data. The fastest cellular data speed available is 4G. Coverage by homes and land mass (the % of acres with cell coverage versus the total acreage in North Carolina) is shown below.
Tech |
% Homes |
% Land |
---|---|---|
4G |
78.68% |
66.51% |
2G or 3G |
82.39% |
70.26% |
4G is the fastest cell coverage for 78.68% of homes. 3.71% of homes can only receive 2G or 3G data. We rank Carolina West Wireless as #5 out of 6 for a combination of coverage and speed among North Carolina mobile providers.
Carolina West Wireless Voice Quality in North Carolina
4G voice is considered HD, and is available at 78.68% of North Carolina homes. 82.39% of homes can make calls using older 2G or 3G voice technology.
More about Southern Linc in North Carolina
Southern Linc Data Speeds and Coverage in North Carolina
Southern Linc covers 21.61% of homes in the state with mobile data. The fastest cellular data speed available is 4G. Coverage by homes and land mass (the % of acres with cell coverage versus the total acreage in North Carolina) is shown below.
Tech |
% Homes |
% Land |
---|---|---|
4G |
21.61% |
11.56% |
4G is the fastest cell coverage for 21.61% of homes. We rank Southern Linc as #6 out of 6 for a combination of coverage and speed among North Carolina mobile providers.
Southern Linc Voice Quality in North Carolina
4G voice is considered HD, and is available at 21.61% of North Carolina homes. 0.00% of homes can make calls using older 2G or 3G voice technology.
North Carolina Mobile Network Coverage Maps | Voice, 4G & 5G
North Carolina Fastest Speeds Key
Your mobile coverage in North Carolina may vary based on your provider and location. The map above shows the fastest mobile data speeds in and around the state. To see coverage for an individual provider, click the provider's availability maps above.
There are several types of mobile coverage to consider when evaluating a carrier’s geographic reliability. 5G is the fastest mobile data connection in North Carolina covering 94.89% of homes in the area while 4G covers 99.93% of the state. Overall, 99.94% of homes (10,156,292 people) and 99.0% of the land (48,131.8 square miles) are covered by some form of cell technology.
5G Coverage Map and Availability in North Carolina
North Carolina 5G Coverage Key
5G is currently the most advanced network available with speeds several times faster than 4G. 5G networks in North Carolina cover 94.89% of homes with 5G voice and data. In total 76.68% or 37,280.3 square miles of North Carolina are covered by 5G. The best 5G coverage in North Carolina comes from T-Mobile with 94.79% coverage.
4G Coverage Map and Availability in North Carolina
North Carolina 4G Coverage Key
4G/LTE networks have become one of the nation’s most common mobile coverage types for data, and in some locations, voice calls. In North Carolina, 99.93% of the area is covered by 4G data, and 99.93% is covered by 4G HD voice service. Verizon Wireless has the best 4G network in North Carolina with 99.72% coverage.
Selecting the Best Cell Provider in North Carolina for You
If you’re still struggling to choose a cell phone provider in the state, some of these facts may help you decide:
- Coverage to North Carolina houses is best with service from Verizon Wireless, with 99.73% of homes covered.
- The best coverage across all North Carolina land is provided by Verizon Wireless at 97.82% of land area covered.
- The current best 5G coverage comes from T-Mobile reporting 94.79% in North Carolina.
- The top estimated average speed in North Carolina, estimated at 68.52, Mbps is available through T-Mobile.
Mobile Service Near North Carolina
If you live near North Carolina but aren’t technically in the state, or you like to explore the region a lot, your coverage availability and speeds may vary.
Enter your zip code here to find more precise mobile numbers on your exact location. Here are our mobile and cell phone guides for several popular locations in and around North Carolina:
States close to North Carolina
- South Carolina: worse mobile coverage
- Virginia: worse mobile coverage
- West Virginia: worse mobile coverage
- District of Columbia: better mobile coverage
- Georgia: worse mobile coverage
- Maryland: better mobile coverage
- Kentucky: worse mobile coverage
- Delaware: better mobile coverage
- Tennessee: worse mobile coverage
- Pennsylvania: better mobile coverage
States with similar populations to North Carolina
- Michigan: worse mobile coverage
- Georgia: worse mobile coverage
- New Jersey: better mobile coverage
- Ohio: worse mobile coverage
- Virginia: worse mobile coverage
- Pennsylvania: better mobile coverage
- Washington: better mobile coverage
- Illinois: better mobile coverage
- Arizona: worse mobile coverage
- Massachusetts: worse mobile coverage