Is 5G Home Internet the resolution to your broadband requirements?

Although mobile carriers tout 5G, it also offers attractive speeds and simple pricing for home internet connections. Many of us are fed up with being tied to internet providers with restrictive terms, slow speeds, high fees, and cumbersome contracts. We are often left with limited options.

5G could be the solution? Our newest smartphones are also able to address our broadband requirements. The first 5G home internet plans are available from Starry to TMobile. However, they only work in certain cities and areas. Let’s see how it works and what it costs.

What is 5G?

5G is shorthand for the fifth generation. You may be wondering what the fifth generation is—the fifth generation of wireless networks. Most people are familiar with 5G describing faster mobile communications and more powerful phones. It’s not a mistake. 5G networks use different radio frequencies to deliver faster data speeds and less delay than 4G.

Eli Blumenthal, a colleague at CNET, breaks down the basics and benefits of 5G. Millimeter-wave technology is more efficient than previous generations and provides faster connections and speeds. However, those gigabit speeds come at a cost. The data won’t travel as far as 4G and can be blocked. Midband technology, which averages speeds between 300-400 megabits per sec, expands the coverage area of milli-meter-wave. Low-band 5G provides a similar range to 4G but at speeds of between 100 and 200Mbps.

Is 5GHz the same as 5G home internet or 5GHz?

Nope. No. Wi-Fi routers use short-range radio frequencies to transmit your internet signal. These frequencies are typically either 2.4 gigahertz or five gigahertz. Although 5GHz is an option for your Wi-Fi system in your home, it is not the same as 5G, which uses higher-frequency radio waves.

What is 5G home internet, and what does it differ from fiber or cable internet?

Many ISPs offer home internet service through phone lines or cables connecting your home to a larger network. This includes the most common internet connections like coaxial cable, digital subscriber line, and fiber-optic Internet — all are wired connections from your provider to your home.

5G home internet is a fixed wireless internet service. This means that your provider can connect to your home via a wireless connection. Your provider will require an indoor or outdoor receiver to receive 5G signals. This is similar to satellite internet, except it doesn’t beam in a signal from distant satellites in the night sky. Instead, it relays information from a closer wireless hub. Your gateway cannot be used anywhere else even though it is connected to your phone’s same 5G network.

Who are the 5G primary internet providers for home?

5G is being used across the country, as we have already stated. The number of providers offering 5G home internet plans is limited due to this fact. AT&T offers a 5G mobile service but does not offer a fixed wireless option. The main choices for 5G home internet are Starry TMobile and Verizon. Let’s see what each one offers.

Pricing and Starry 5G Home internet plans

Starry

Starry has just started in the ISP market. The company was founded in 2016. It does not use 5G radio technology. However, it does use millimeter wave technology to deliver fixed wireless Internet to its customers. A starry spokesperson stated that they operate in the 24GHz and 37GHz spectrum band, and their network technology is consistent across all markets.

• PlanMaximum speedsMonthly rate equipment fee data capContract
• Starry Basic50Mbps download, 50Mbps upload $30 None None None
• Moreover, Starry Plus200Mbps download, 100Mbps upload $50 None None None
• It is Starry Pro500Mbps download, 250Mbps upload $65 None None None
• Starry Gigabit1,000Mbps download, 500Mbps upload $80 None None None

Unlimited data, no equipment or installation charges, and no contracts. It is also the only 5G home internet provider that offers symmetrical or close-symmetrical upload and download speeds. This is similar to what you would find with a fiber internet connection.

Starry offers a 30-day Happy Interneting Guarantee that includes a full refund for any reason. You can cancel the service within 30 days.

Pricing and plans for T-Mobile 5G Home internet

T-Mobile

TMobile Home Internet has the fastest broadband speeds of any of our providers. It fluctuates between 4G and HTML5G. It doesn’t just include 5G. T-Mobile anticipates that customers will experience speeds of around 100Mbps at the moment. We tested T-Mobile’s internet service at home and reached a maximum speed of 132Mbps.

PlanMaximum speedsMonthly price equipment fee data capContract

T-Mobile Home Internet35-115Mbps download, 6-23Mbps upload $50 None None None

T-Mobile’s home internet services include all setup fees and taxes. There is no data cap or annual contract. The current deal includes Paramount Plus for free for one year ($5 per month with limited ads) and $10 off YouTube TV the first year.

Pricing and plans for Verizon 5G Home Internet

Verizon

Verizon’s 5G internet services use ultrawideband 5G technology. It boasts download speeds up to 1 gigabit and average speeds of around 300Mbps. Upload speeds will not be symmetrical and may plateau at 50Mbps. This is because Verizon uses a mixture of mid-band, low-band, and milli-meter-wave technology.

PlanMax speedsMonthly price equipment FeeData capContractPrice guarantee

Verizon 5G Home 300-980Mbps download, 50Mbps upload $50 None None None 2 years

It,s 5G Home Plus 300-980Mbps download, 50Mbps upload $70 None None None 3 years

Verizon 5G Home Internet pricing starts at $50 per month for a 2-year price guarantee or $70 per month for the full 3-year price lock plus additional perks. It’s an all-in cost that includes setup fees, taxes, equipment, and taxes. And, like all Verizon plans, there are no data caps or contracts.

Verizon offers many deals and promos to help potential customers. It offers credit for customers who switch from their current ISP to receive a bill credit up to $500 and an ETF. 5G Home Plus customers receive a year of Disney Plus for free, while 5G Home reduces that to six months. Customers of 5G Home or 5G Plus will receive one month of free service and two months of Sling TV. Customers with Verizon Unlimited mobile plans can receive 50% off their monthly costs.

Is 5G home internet available?

We can’t sugarcoat it: 5G home internet service has not yet been widely available. Although the number of cities is growing fast, many are bigger US cities.

T-Mobile Home Internet is our most popular service. Verizon stated earlier this year its 5G home internet service was now accessible to 30 million homes. However, T-Mobile claims that its fixed wireless service has been available to more than 30 million households across over 40 states and 600 cities since April 2021. 

T-Mobile admits that it doesn’t have unlimited access to these areas due to limited network capacity and the inventory of its router. This TMobile Home Internet PDF shows the extensive list of metropolitan areas.

Verizon’s 5G home internet service is currently available in some parts of 900 markets. This means it covers more cities than T-Mobile’s total households, even though it has a slightly lower number.

Starry Internet is available in Boston, Columbus, Ohio, Denver, Los Angeles, New York City, and Washington, DC. Its 2022 expansion roadmap covers approximately 30,000,000 households in Atlanta; Chicago; Dallas, Houston, Indianapolis; Memphis, Miami, Philadelphia. Phoenix, Portland. San Francisco, Seattle.

Is 5G home internet worth it?

First, let’s say what we always say about ISPs: no matter how great the service is, it doesn’t make any difference if it isn’t available at your location. As 5G home internet is not widely available right now, and the 5G technology itself continues to be rolled out across the nation, we can expect some bumps.

5G home internet is still available at a rapid rate. Even more attractive is the simple pricing — which jumps off my page. As the availability of 5G continues to grow, it will be interesting to see if this trend continues.

 It would still be a significant step forward for 5G to become a viable option for rural America’s traditionally underserved areas. CNET’s Rick Broida, a former CNET employee, stated that “imperfection can be a lot easier when you pay less than half the price you paid before.”

5G HOME INTERNET FAQS

What does 5G stand for?

It simply refers to the next generation. It is also the fifth generation in cellular technology.

What is the difference between 5G home Internet and cable internet?

Coaxial cable, fiberoptic cable, or both, all require wires to transmit data. 5G home internet, however, is a fixed wireless solution. Using radio frequencies, it uses an internet gateway that connects your home to a nearby cell tower or data center.

How much does 5G home internet cost?

5G home internet is one the most affordable options, considering the decent download speeds that current plans offer — T-Mobile averages just above 100Mbps, Starry averages 200Mbps, and Verizon averages 300Mbps. 

T-Mobile and Starry have the lowest monthly costs, while Verizon has the highest at $70. Each provider’s monthly cost includes fees, taxes, and equipment fees. The monthly charge that you see is what you will pay. You won’t be charged termination fees if you don’t sign a term contract.

What is the speed of 5G home internet?

5G is supposed to provide a faster connection than fiber or cable internet. However, It is not possible. Most 5G internet providers use a combination of low-band, mid-band, and milli-meter-wave technology. This means that home internet users won’t be able to see the full capabilities of 5G.