Mold Remediation in Concord, NC

What is the best internet provider in Concord?

We didn’t have internet when I grew up in Concord and Kannapolis. That’s not a “back in my day” statement; home internet wasn’t a thing then, aside from early iterations of AOL. By the time I moved to Charlotte and, eventually, just across the southern state border, AT&T and Time Warner Cable (later to become Spectrum) had emerged as the two big players in the area. Others, like Kinetic, my top pick for the best internet provider in Concord, followed shortly after. Now there are plenty of options for Concord residents to choose from.

Kinetic stands out in Concord for its high availability of fiber-optic internet, fast speeds and favorable service terms like unlimited data and no contract requirements. Not everyone in Concord will be serviceable for Kinetic, however, which is where other top providers including Spectrum, T-Mobile Home Internet and, more recently, Google Fiber come into play.

Best internet service providers in Concord

The best internet provider for your Concord home will depend on what’s available in your area and what you’re looking for. I lean towards the high-speed, high-value fiber plans from Kinetic, but if you’re looking for a low-cost wireless alternative, T-Mobile may be your best option. Spectrum is also a solid choice, particularly if you want to bundle internet and TV service together. And virtually no provider can compare to Google Fiber when it comes to gig service. You’ll find more details about each provider, including Concord availability, pricing and service details, below.

Note: The prices, speeds and features detailed in the article text may differ from those listed in the product detail cards, which represent providers’ national offerings. Your particular internet service options -- including prices and speeds -- depend on your address and may differ from those detailed here.

All internet providers in Concord

The providers listed above aren’t the only ones you may come across in Concord, just the ones I’d recommend most and consider first if I were back in my hometown. Here’s a look at all your possible, practical options for internet service in Concord, North Carolina.

Source: CNET analysis of provider data

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Best Concord ISP honorable mentions

These providers are also technically available in Concord, but lack the availability or value to be included with CNET’s picks of the best.

AT&T Fiber: Coverage from Charlotte and Mecklenburg County spills over into Concord, but not by much. Those just north of Concord Mills are most likely to be eligible for service, but if you’re any further north into Cabarrus County, look to Kinetic or possibly Google Fiber for fiber internet.

Kinetic (DSL): As mentioned above, most Concord residents can get Kinetic internet service, but not all will be eligible for fiber. Those who can’t get fiber will have to rely on Kinetic’s DSL network, which is actually better than most. Speeds of 50Mbps to 200Mbps are possible depending on where you live, and the no-contract, unlimited data service starts at just $40 a month.

Verizon 5G Home Internet: Verizon is another popular option for 5G home internet service, but its Concord coverage isn’t as good as T-Mobile. If you can get service, expect max download speeds ranging from 50 to 300Mbps starting at $60 a month or 85 to 1,000 starting at $80. Verizon wireless customers can get discounts on home internet with qualifying mobile plans.

Satellite internet: For rural areas -- and I know there are still some in Concord despite how much the area has changed in the last decade -- satellite internet may be the only option for broadband. HughesNet, Starlink and Viasat offer service throughout Concord and Cabarrus County, though pricing is high while speeds and data allowances are low (though Starlink may offer some relief to the speed and data drawbacks). I’d recommend making sure no other options are available before resorting to satellite internet.

Internet pricing in Concord

The average starting price for internet (excluding satellite) in Concord is $51 a month. That's not exactly cheap internet, but Google Fiber and AT&T Fiber bring the average up.

Between the three largest Concord ISPs -- Kinetic, T-Mobile and Spectrum -- the average starting price is around $43 a month assuming no mobile discounts from T-Mobile or Spectrum. That’s lower than the average starting cost for internet in Charlotte, and select plans from Spectrum may be priced lower in Concord than Charlotte thanks to the local competition from Kinetic.

Source: CNET analysis of provider data

Internet speeds in Concord

Concord had a median download speed of 282Mbps in the most recent speed test data from Ookla. That’s higher than the state average (215Mbps) and the national average (207Mbps). Google Fiber showed the fastest speed range, 203 to 619Mbps, but it’s important to note the provider’s lowest speed tier is 1,000Mbps.

Source: CNET analysis of provider data

Recap of Concord internet providers

For the most part, home internet options in Concord are as good as anywhere. I consider Kinetic by Windstream to be the best provider in the area thanks to its broad fiber coverage and competitive pricing, but the best Concord ISP for your home will depend on your specific needs and address. Google Fiber, Spectrum and T-Mobile are also decent choices in their own right, so it’s important to explore and compare all your internet options before deciding which is best for you.

How CNET chose the best internet providers in Concord

Internet service providers are numerous and regional. Unlike the latest smartphone, laptop, router or kitchen tool, it’s impractical to personally test every ISP in a given city. So what’s our approach? We start by researching the pricing, availability and speed information drawing on our own historical ISP data, the provider sites and mapping information from the Federal Communications Commission at FCC.gov.

But it doesn’t end there. We go to the FCC’s website to check our data and ensure we’re considering every ISP that provides service in an area. We also input local addresses on provider websites to find specific options for residents. To evaluate how happy customers are with an ISP's service, we look at sources including the American Customer Satisfaction Index and J.D. Power. ISP plans and prices are subject to frequent changes; all information provided is accurate as of the time of publication.

Once we have this localized information, we ask three main questions:

While the answer to those questions is often layered and complex, the providers who come closest to “yes” on all three are the ones we recommend.

To explore our process in more depth, visit our how we test ISPs page.

Concord internet providers FAQs

Is internet in Concord any good?

Median download speeds in Concord are higher than the state and national averages, according to recent Ookla speed test data. Additionally, starting prices for home internet are lower than in many surrounding areas, including Charlotte and Mecklenburg County.

Kinetic and Spectrum are arguably the best options for low-cost, high-speed internet in Concord as both offer max download speeds of 500Mbps starting at $40 a month.

Does Concord have fiber internet?

Yes. Fiber internet is available to approximately 67% of Concord residences. Kinetic by Windstream is the largest fiber provider in Concord, though Google Fiber has a growing fiber presence in the area as well.

Is AT&T internet available in Concord?

Yes, but only to less than 5% of homes, according to the FCC. AT&T Fiber coverage from neighboring Mecklenburg County extends slightly into Cabarrus County just north of Concord Mills, but is otherwise unavailable in Concord.

Is Kinetic or Spectrum better?

The better provider will come down to the available connection type. Kinetic’s fiber internet service will be the better value, though the cost may be slightly higher depending on the plan you choose and if you rent your router. On the other hand, Spectrum delivers faster max speeds and greater value compared to Kinetic’s DSL service. For a more in-depth comparison, see my breakdown of Spectrum versus Kinetic.

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Project will support more outdoor dining, downtown living

CONCORD, N.C. (WBTV) - After just over two years, work on the Downtown Concord Streetscape Project is expected to be mostly complete by mid-November, city officials said Thursday.

The city broke ground on the project, which will pave the way for new downtown experiences including more outdoor dining and downtown living, in January 2022.

A city spokesperson said infrastructure work on the project is nearing completion. All stormwater and sewer work is complete and crews are installing the remaining water line and services on Union Street from the library to Killarney Avenue. Weather dependent, city officials expect the remaining water infrastructure work to be complete by mid-October.

Concurrently, crews are also installing fiber and electrical conduit and soil cells for the new trees in the work zone on Union Street between Cabarrus and Killarney avenues.

Surface level work, including the sidewalks, pavers, curbing, and a base layer of asphalt on the road is largely complete on Union Street from Corban to Cabarrus avenues. City leaders anticipate opening that section of the road within September.

“With the opening of the social district last month, finished sidewalks, businesses adding outdoor seating, and most of the underground infrastructure work complete, we are really seeing everything come together,” a city spokesperson said. “This project has always been about preserving our downtown as a vibrant place where friends and family can gather and make memories now and for generations to come. We’re excited to see that vision coming to life as residents are enjoying the social district, and businesses are partnering on events and creating new experiences for the community. In this final stretch, the best thing we can do is to continue to show up – attend the upcoming events in downtown and support our local businesses.”

Streetscape construction updates are available on the city’s website.

Separately, city officials said additional work is needed in front of the Cabarrus County Courthouse. This is mainly surface level work like widening the sidewalks, installing electrical and fiber conduit, new light poles, soil cells and landscaping.

The three-story, 70,000-square-foot courthouse opened in 1975.

This work in front of the courthouse was intentionally not included in the original streetscape contract because the city didn’t know when the county would finish renovations on the courthouse building.

Now that the county construction is complete, on September 12, Concord City Council approved a change order to give the city’s streetscape contractor, Sealand, an additional 90 days to do the new work in front of the courthouse. This new work shouldn’t interfere with the streetscape work and project timelines.

Prior downtown Concord coverage

Concord opening social district to boost downtown business: How it’ll work

Study: Concord, Mooresville top best NC cities to move to

Former Concord Mayor calls on legislators to give more tools to local leaders to address growth

Imagine Downtown Concord – what do you see?

City officials said that after a month and a half since Concord’s downtown social district launched, the city hasn’t received and is not aware of any complaints.

Cellar Door Wine Shop and the Cabarrus Arts Council recently became a “drinks sold here” participating business, meaning drinks can be sold there to be consumed in the social district from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

When the social district opened in August, the city provided each participating “drinks sold here” business with 500 stickers for their cups. At least one downtown business used up those 500 stickers about two weeks ago.

City officials said positive responses were also received from the recent Art Walk event sponsored by the city in partnership with the Cabarrus Arts Council.

Downtown Concord’s website has a list of upcoming events and promotions, including the new bi-monthly Love Local Thursdays sponsored by downtown businesses.

Download the free WBTV News app for the latest stories sent straight to your phone.

Copyright 2024 WBTV. All rights reserved.

What better way is there to celebrate your love of tacos than to visit a new Mexican restaurant? You’ll be in luck on Oct. 4, as Talkin’ Tacos breaks into North Carolina with a location in Concord.

The restaurant is kicking off its grand opening at 6 p.m., offering a free order of birria tacos to each of the first 100 customers in line. You can enjoy live entertainment while you eat among hand-painted murals and neon signs, and an LED robot will be on hand for pictures.

When you walk in, you’ll order on self-serve kiosks meant to provide faster service. Among the items to try are a variety of birria choices such as pizza, ramen and street corn in a cup.

There are also 11 taco options, including Southwest Chicken, Mahi Mahi, Caribbean Carne and vegan Hongas Tacos. You can top off your meal with something to satisfy your sweet tooth such as an order of Loaded Churros, Tajin & Chamoy gummies or a house-made horchata.

Talkin’ Tacos started out in Miami as a food truck in 2020 and grew into a fast-casual Mexican eatery with locations across Florida. Now, it’s spreading into the Carolinas with its 1,850 square-foot restaurant space in Concord that will seat 48 people. The chain has 17 locations open, and six more will open this year.

“We’re thrilled to bring our bold flavors and vibrant atmosphere to North Carolina, and it’s only fitting to celebrate on National Taco Day,” Mohammad Farraj, Talkin’ Tacos co-founder and chief marketing officer, said in a news release. “The Charlotte-area food scene is exploding, and we’re excited to be a part of it.”

Location: 8915 Christenbury Pkwy., Concord NC 28027

Menu

Cuisine: Mexican

Hours: Monday-Sunday ,11 a.m. – 10 p.m.

Instagram: @_talkintacos

This story was originally published September 17, 2024, 2:39 PM.

The Charlotte Observer

Heidi Finley is a writer and editor for CharlotteFive and the Charlotte Observer. Outside of work, you will most likely find her in the suburbs driving kids around, volunteering and indulging in foodie pursuits. Support my work with a digital subscription

Right on the heels of opening a second Mooresville location, a Lake Norman Mexican food favorite is now expanding further and moving into Concord.

Rio 150 — which has been featured on America’s Best Restaurants — now has plans to open its third location along Concord Mills Boulevard, near Big Blue Swim School just a stone’s throw away from Concord Mills mall.

The new space will seat more than 200 customers, with a stage and a patio for outdoor dining. A small private room will be available at the restaurant, too, co-owner Rashel Limper told CharlotteFive.

[TRY OUT NEW FLAVORS: Chips, salsa and cheers: Here’s where to get margarita flights in the Charlotte area.]

When the Concord space opens in late 2024 or early 2025, you can expect to find its trademark menu items such as Guacamole Mexicano, Pollo Ranchero, quesabirria and Tacos Willie.

But more than anything, Rio 150 is known for having enormous margaritas, including the 56-ounce Monster Margarita and the shareable BAGarita. Towers and flights are available, too.

Location: 8629 Concord Mills Blvd., Concord NC 28207 (coming soon)

Location: Mill One, 201 N. Church Street, Mooresville, 28115

Location: 482 River Hwy, Mooresville, NC 28117

Menu

Cuisine: Mexican

Instagram: @rio_150_mexican_restaurant