Are you tired of slow, expensive or unreliable internet services? That’s probably you. Internet service providers (ISPs) ranked second to last in an industry study of customer satisfaction in the United States last year. For most people, internet service comes into the home via cable, and the choice is limited. But with wireless providers rolling out fast, low-latency 5G networks, that’s changing.
For some people, 5G home internet could be a viable alternative to traditional broadband. Carriers are starting to offer 5G home internet packages to offset the costs of modernized networks, and that could finally lead to real competition for ISPs. If you’re wondering what 5G home internet is, how it compares to broadband, and whether it’s right for you, we’ve got all the answers you’re looking for.
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What does 5G mean?
5G is a global mobile communications standard and represents the fifth generation. Mobile operators have introduced the fifth generation of mobile networks in recent years. Compared to the previous generation (4G), 5G opens up unused radio frequencies at the upper end of the spectrum. You can read our guide to 5G to learn more, but in simple terms, 5G is faster, has lower latency, and can handle more connected devices.
What is 5G home internet?
5G home internet is an alternative to traditional broadband. Instead of running a cable into your home to connect to the Internet, you connect to the 5G cellular network wirelessly using a fixed receiver inside or outside your home. You use a SIM card and have a service contract, just like with your phone. You will still need a modem and a router to convert the incoming signal into WiFi and distribute it throughout your home.
What about 4G home internet?
Some carriers already offer 4G LTE home internet, others offer a mix of 4G and 5G. Both work the same way and require a receiver, but 5G enables faster speeds and lower latency. Theoretical speeds exceed 10 Gbit/s with a latency of 1 millisecond, but in practice performance around 1 Gbit/s is more common. One gigabit is enough for 5G to compete with broadband. 4G LTE typically reaches a maximum speed of 100 Mbps, but is often slower in practice.
Is 5G home internet better than broadband?
The short answer is no. The longer answer is: it depends. If your home has a fiber optic cable, you can enjoy super-fast wired internet. However, if you rely on copper cables, your internet speed will be limited. The proximity of an exchange and internet demand in your area also affect the speed you receive. Some people don’t have a cable connection, but remote areas typically don’t have good 5G coverage. If you have solid 5G coverage in your area but internet service is poor or expensive, 5G home internet may be a better choice.
What are the benefits of 5G home internet?
5G home internet has a few advantages over wired broadband, but there are three big ones:
- Because no physical cable is required, installing 5G home internet is typically much easier and you can probably set it up yourself without a technician visit.
- If you have good 5G coverage in your area, you can probably enjoy high speeds, certainly much faster than old copper cables can offer.
- 5G home internet service may be cheaper than wired internet. Some wireless providers offer discounts and incentives to add 5G home internet service to your existing wireless plan.
What are the disadvantages?
Everything has advantages and disadvantages. Here are some of the possible disadvantages of 5G home internet:
- Coverage is limited and may be best in cities. If you don’t have good 5G coverage in your area, 5G home internet isn’t for you.
- For best results, you need a receiver with good line of sight to a 5G cell site or tower. This may mean having to place an antenna on the outside of your home, as 5G signals don’t penetrate walls very well and can be susceptible to interference.
- As 5G adoption increases and networks expand, your home 5G internet service may be affected. As 5G networks become busier, your home internet may become slower or experience interruptions.
Can I get 5G home internet?
It depends on where you live and what the 5G coverage is in your area. This coverage map from nPerf lets you select by carrier to view coverage and download speeds. You can also check with your preferred wireless provider (most have coverage maps on their websites), but most only offer 5G home internet service in certain areas (currently major cities).
Who offers 5G home internet?
There are several options for people who want to use 5G home internet service, but be sure to read the fine print. Most cell phone providers offer a mix of 4G LTE and 5G. You’re likely to get the best deals from cell phone providers where you get multiple services. So if you already have cell service, your cell phone provider likely offers a discount on home internet. For starters, here’s an alphabetical list of US options, but new services are being introduced all the time:
- AT&T Internet Air
- Stardomic Internet
- T-Mobile 5G home internet
- US cellular home internet
- Verizon 5G home internet
If you are in the UK you have the following options:
- EE 4G and 5G Mobile Broadband
- National broadband 5G
- Three 4G and 5G home broadband
- Vodafone 5G and 4G broadband
Is 5G home internet expensive?
Prices for 5G home internet are not much different than those for wired internet services. For some people it might even be cheaper. 5G home internet plans start at just $15 per month (Starry), but most cost between $30 and $80 per month, depending on the speed and service you want. Many airlines offer discounts for existing customers and other incentives. Eager to attract new customers, many 5G home internet services offer unlimited data, no fixed contracts, and no device fees. Just make sure you understand all the terms and conditions before signing up.