HTC Inc. vs. Spectrum: Which Is Best in South Carolina?
Sep 30, 2024 | Share
Brand Guides
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Best for fiberPlans start at $49.95/mo.
- Fast fiber speeds
- Rent-free equipment
- Price hikes after 12 mos.
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Best for availabilityPlans start at $25.00/mo.
- Wide availability
- Rent-free modems
- Price hikes after 12 mos.
Bottom line
Horry Telephone Cooperative (HTC) is a fiber and cable internet provider in South Carolina covering Horry, Georgetown, and Marion counties. It doesn’t have Spectrum’s vast, nationwide network, but it excels in straightforward pricing.
Spectrum is one of the largest cable internet providers in the US, so it’s a great option if you can’t get HTC’s internet service. Spectrum has some fiber-to-the-home internet, too, but it’s not as widely available as Spectrum’s cable internet.
Current internet deals
HTC’s wireless phone customers can get $10 per month off their monthly bill by signing up for three or more services. The provider also offers cable TV, wireless, and home security services.
Spectrum will give you a free, 90-day trial of Peacock Premium when you sign up for a qualifying internet plan.
See our Best Internet Deals page for more deets on the cheapest plans and the biggest discounts from other major internet providers like Spectrum. It’s updated every month to give you the scoop.
HTC vs. Spectrum internet
Type of service Cable, fiber | Type of service Cable, fiber |
Price $49.95–$74.95/mo. | Price* $24.99–$79.99/mo. |
Contract | Contract No contract |
Download speeds 500–1,000Mbps | Download speeds Up to 50–1,000Mbps (wireless speeds may vary) |
Equipment fees No fees | Equipment fees |
Installation fee | Installation fee |
Customer satisfaction N/A | Customer satisfaction 3.7† |
View HTC Plans | View Spectrum Plans |
Data effective 3/5/24. Not all offers available in all areas.
*For the first 12 or 24 months
† Rating based on a five (5) point system used in our customer satisfaction survey. Higher is better.
HTC vs. Spectrum packages and pricing
HTC and Spectrum are very similar. Both offer mostly cable internet and some fiber, and both raise their rates after a year. But Spectrum is the only one of the two with plans designed specifically for low-income families.
HTC internet packages
Package* | Price | Speed | Type | Shop online |
---|---|---|---|---|
Tier 1 | $49.95/mo.† | 500Mbps | Cable, fiber | View Plans |
Tier 2 | $59.95/mo.† | 750Mbps | Cable, fiber | View Plans |
Tier 3 | $74.95/mo.† | 1,000Mbps | Cable, fiber | View Plans |
*Speed and type varies by service area.
† Limited time offer; subject to change; requires new Internet service activation; valid to qualified members. Standard rates apply after 1 year. Other restrictions may apply.
HTC provides fiber-to-the-home internet in most of its service areas and cable internet in areas that still need an upgrade. Some areas continue to offer both as HTC replaces cable with fiber, so you won’t know if a plan uses cable or fiber until you call. Prices are the same whether you’re on cable or fiber.
As for cost, HTC’s prices are cheaper than Spectrum during and after the first 12 months. The rates include a cable modem and router—Spectrum offers a free cable modem only. And you can waive the installation cost if you sign up for an annual contract instead of going with a no-contract plan.
Finally, there are no data caps, so you’re free to use the internet as much as you want without worrying about overage charges.
Spectrum Internet packages
Package | Price* | Speed | Internet type | Shop online |
---|---|---|---|---|
Spectrum Internet® Assist | $25.00/mo.* | Up to 50Mbps (wireless speeds may vary) | Cable | View Plans |
Spectrum Internet® Advantage | $50.00/mo.* | Up to 100Mbps (wireless speeds may vary) | Cable | View Plans |
Spectrum Internet® Premier | $60.00/mo.† for 12 mos. | Up to 500Mbps (wireless speeds may vary) | Cable, fiber | View Plans |
Spectrum Internet® Gig | $70.00/mo.† for 12 mos. | Up to 1,000Mbps (wireless speeds may vary) | Cable, fiber | View Plans |
* Availability based on eligibility and location
† Includes Spectrum Advanced WiFi
Spectrum offers decent prices and impressive speeds. Its base plan delivers speeds up to 500Mbps (wireless speeds may vary), while its fastest plan, Internet Gig with up to 1,000Mbps, is now more affordable than ever. If you’re lucky, Spectrum’s fiber internet is in your area, offering equal upload and download speeds.
Spectrum doesn’t have contracts, so you can cancel service after one month if you’re dissatisfied. But it’s more expensive than HTC during and after the first year. Spectrum’s Gig plan, for example, increases $25.00 per month after a year. HTC’s similar plan has a standard rate of $89.95 per month—a $15.00 increase if you choose the one-year contract.
HTC vs. Spectrum: Who has the fastest internet speed?
Internet speeds
Spectrum and HTC both have three primary plans delivered over cable and fiber. Both have gigabit plans with download speeds of up to 1,000Mbps, but the upload speeds depend on the connection type: 35Mbps with cable or 1,000Mbps with fiber.
But there’s a huge dollar-per-megabit difference when we compare their non-gigabit plans. You get more value out of HTC’s 500Mbps plan than you do with Spectrum, but the drawback is that HTC doesn’t offer internet outside of South Carolina. Spectrum doesn’t even offer a 750Mbps plan, while HTC doesn’t have a 300Mbps plan.
Overall, if you live in South Carolina, HTC should be your go-to provider for cable or fiber internet.
Test your speed
Unsure about your Wi-Fi’s current speed? Use our speed test tool to get a readout of your internet speed so you can decide if you need something faster.
Internet types
HTC and Spectrum offer fiber and cable internet. Technically, the two types don’t have a maximum speed—think of them as highways with speed limits enforced by providers. However, here are the maximum download and upload speeds currently offered to residential customers:
Internet type | Connection | Availability (for % of total US pop.)* | Max download speed | Max upload speed |
---|---|---|---|---|
Fiber | Fiber-optic cabling | 40.77% | 10,000Mbps | 10,000Mbps |
Cable | Copper coaxial cabling | 88.79% | 2,000Mbps | 50Mbps |
*Data according to area provider maps for cable and maps for fiber from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
Cable internet relies on existing cable TV lines with a copper-clad core (coaxial cables) to deliver internet using radio waves. Fiber internet operates over cables with glass cores to deliver internet using light signals (think Morse code).
Fiber is generally symmetrical in speed, meaning the upload speeds match the downloads. Cable internet is designed with asymmetrical speeds using a (roughly) 10:1 or 20:1 download/upload ratio.
HTC’s fiber internet is available only in some parts of its service area, so you may have to settle for cable until HTC upgrades the area.
Spectrum doesn’t install fiber internet in its cable areas. Instead, fiber-to-the-home service is in “green” areas where other fiber providers don’t claim, like in new neighborhoods. Current Spectrum cable customers must wait for the 10G Platform to get fiber-like speeds or get fiber from another provider.
TV bundle deals
Spectrum doesn’t offer the traditional internet and TV bundle. Instead, you can pair any discounted Spectrum Internet plan with any discounted Spectrum TV service. Both discounts end after 12 months.
HTC doesn’t bundle internet with TV, either. Instead, you pick the internet plan you need and subscribe to its streaming TV service, HTC TV Max, starting at $111.95 per month. Add-ons include the Family & Kids programming for another $10.75 per month.
HTC vs. Spectrum fees and contracts
HTC and Spectrum both go easy on extra fees. For starters, neither provider has data caps, so you won’t see data overage charges.
If you’re concerned about possible early termination fees (ETFs), Spectrum doesn’t impose annual contracts, so no worries there. But you’re obligated to keep the service for at least one month to enjoy the promotional discount.
Meanwhile, HTC charges $100 if you discontinue service at any time before your one-year contract ends. There is no ETF if you take the no-contract option.
Finally, Spectrum charges a reasonable $5 per month for its router or WiFi access in its gateways, and $3 per month for each WiFi Pod—there’s no fee for its modem. HTC includes the modem and router as part of the total bill.
HTC fees
Fees | Amount |
---|---|
Installation | Up to $100 (waived w/ 1-yr. contract) |
Modem/router rental | N/A (included with service) |
Late fee | 1.5% of bill |
Reconnection fee | $25 |
Early termination fee | $100 |
Data overage charges | N/A |
HTC doesn’t charge monthly rental fees for its equipment. Plus, if you miss a payment, HTC’s late fees aren’t too bad. You have around a week to make your payment before HTC disconnects your service and you’re hit with a $25 reconnection fee on the next bill. Installation can be a bit pricey, but you can waive the cost by signing an annual contract.
Spectrum fees
Fees | Amount |
---|---|
Pro installation | $59.99 |
Self-installation and service activation | $24.99 |
Spectrum WiFi Pod installation | $49.99 |
Spectrum WiFi Pod fee | $3.00/mo. for each unit |
WiFi access fee | $7.00/mo. |
Late payment fee (after 21 days) | $8.95 |
Service activation fee | $9.99 |
Insufficient funds fee | $20.00 |
Phone payment fee | $5.00 |
Internet reconnection fee | $9.99 |
TV reconnection fee | $4.99 |
Equipment upgrade fee to Internet Gig plan | $19.99 |
Early termination fee | No fee |
Data overage charges | No charges |
Spectrum doesn’t have data caps, so there are no overage fees. Installation is on the cheaper end, costing $59.99 for professional installation—$24.99 for the self-install kit, which includes activation. The WiFi access fee won’t run you much at $7 per month—many internet providers charge twice that (except for HTC, which doesn’t charge anything at all).
Internet contracts
Spectrum doesn’t have contracts. Instead, it offers discounted pricing for 12 months, but you must keep the service for at least one month to get the discount. After that, you can cancel service without shelling out big bucks in early termination fees (ETFs).
With HTC, you have two options:
- One-year contract – Get free installation and a discounted rate for 12 months. This option does not renew. The ETF cost is $100.
- No contract – Pay up to $100 in installation fees and HTC’s standard rates.
HTC does not list the no-contract option on its website. An agent gives you this option when you call to sign up for new internet service.
Editor’s pick
We like Spectrum’s no-contract policy because it’s simple, straightforward, and goes easy on the customer.
HTC’s approach is a little more complicated, saving you up to $100 if you sign up for a year but then hitting you with the $100 ETF if you back out early.
HTC vs. Spectrum equipment
Renting equipment
HTC provides all the equipment you need for fiber or cable internet at no extra cost—just return the devices once you discontinue your service.
Spectrum doesn’t charge a monthly fee to use its modem, gateway, or fiber ONT. But WiFi costs $5 per month whether you use Spectrum’s standalone router or access WiFi from the gateway. Spectrum’s WiFi Pods are $3 per unit per month, which can add up if you want whole-home coverage.
HTC vs. Spectrum customer service
We really can’t compare these two providers since HTC resides in South Carolina only, and Spectrum is a national provider. Plus, HTC isn’t included in our annual customer satisfaction survey, so all we have to go on are customer review scores posted on Google. That said, we get a 3.9 average out of five based on eight locations from Little River to Georgetown.
Spectrum did fairly well in our latest customer satisfaction survey, landing in the top half of every category except for price satisfaction. There, it faces tough competition from the likes of AT&T, Verizon, and Xfinity, who don’t increase prices after 12 months. Its highest rating is in speed satisfaction, although that may not be the case next year if it continues to stall its top speed at 1,000Mbps. Rivals like Xfinity and Astound Broadband have plans topping out at 1,200Mbps and 1,500Mbps, respectively.
Installation and setup
Judging from reviews, HTC is about average for installation. You can get a waiver on installation costs if you sign up for a year-long contract, and in most cases, HTC will have your installation all set up within three to five business days after you sign up.
Spectrum’s $24.99 self-installation is a good deal, and it should be available for most customers since most households already have cable TV lines. This hands-on option saves you money, though you may need some basic techie skills to plug all the cables into the right places.
HTC vs. Spectrum availability
HTC’s service area covers Horry, Georgetown, and Marion counties in the top northeastern corner of South Carolina. It’s available across major cities like Myrtle Beach, Conway, and Georgetown along with smaller towns and rural communities.
Spectrum covers most of the same area—as well as other parts of South Carolina. It’s available in 227 towns and cities across the state, including all the best-known locales in the Horry-Georgetown area.
Is HTC or Spectrum available where you live?
Type in your zip code to see if you can get HTC or Spectrum in your area:
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Fast fiber speeds
- No equipment fees
- No data caps
Cons:
- Expensive installation fee
- Price hikes after 12 mos.
Pros:
- Simple no-contract policy
- No modem fee
- No data caps
Cons:
- Extra fee for WiFi
- Price hikes after 12 or 24 mos.
Our verdict
HTC is the best internet provider in South Carolina if you want great prices. Each plan includes rent-free equipment and unlimited data, so you’re free to use as much internet as you please. It’s the cheapest of the two in Horry, Georgetown, and Marion counties, too.
Spectrum is your next-best option, especially if you don’t need speeds above 500Mbps. It’s the only one of the two who scored on our latest customer satisfaction survey, so we can only go by reviews on Google in terms of how customers rate HTC. But HTC’s post-promo rates make it our top pick of the two in South Carolina.
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Author - Kevin Parrish
Kevin Parrish has more than a decade of experience working as a writer, editor, and product tester. He began writing about computer hardware and soon branched out to other devices and services such as networking equipment, phones and tablets, game consoles, and other internet-connected devices. His work has appeared in Tom’s Hardware, Tom's Guide, Maximum PC, Digital Trends, Android Authority, How-To Geek, Lifewire, and others. At HighSpeedInternet.com, he focuses on network equipment testing and review.
Editor - Cara Haynes
Cara Haynes has been editing and writing in the digital space for seven years, and she's edited all things internet for HighSpeedInternet.com for five years. She graduated with a BA in English and a minor in editing from Brigham Young University. When she's not editing, she makes tech accessible through her freelance writing for brands like Pluralsight. She believes no one should feel lost in internet land and that a good internet connection significantly extends your life span.