How Does 5G Internet Work?

5G home internet is great for many customers—but it’s not for everyone. Here’s everything you need to know.

Best overall 5G home internet provider
T-Mobile 5G Home Internet
T-Mobile 5G Home Internet
4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6
Starting at$40/mo. (with eligible mobile plan)
72–245Mbps
Available throughout the US
Unlimited data and no contract required
Fastest 5G home internet speeds
Verizon
Verizon 5G Home Internet
4.3 out of 5 stars
4.3
Starting at$35/mo. (with eligible mobile plan)
Up to 1,000Mbps
Available in 61 metro areas
Unlimited data and no contract required
Best 5G provider for AT&T Wireless customers
AT&T Internet Air
AT&T Internet Air
4.3 out of 5 stars
4.3
Starting at$35/mo. (with eligible mobile plan)
75–225Mbps
Available in 59 metro areas
Unlimited data and no contract required
Easton Smith
Nov 22, 2024
Icon Time To Read5 min read

5G is the newest wave of wireless internet technology. A 5G network—like those operated by T-Mobile and Verizon—can provide broadband internet service to both smartphones and homes.

But is 5G internet really powerful enough to replace your home internet plan? In most cases, yes. 5G home internet is fast, affordable, easy to install, and available in many locations where other options are limited.

“Unlike the traditional services of cable or fiber, 5G uses cellular networks to provide internet—a very capable solution in areas that are quite difficult or expensive to install cables or physical lines,” explains Jacob Kalvo, the co-founder and CEO of software brand Live Proxies. “The mobility of 5G will make relocation easy with no lengthy installation procedures.”

However, there are some drawbacks and limitations to 5G internet, and certain customers might still prefer the reliability and higher speeds of fiber and cable. We’ll go over all of the pros and cons in this article so that you can make the right choice for your household.

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What is 5G anyways?

5G simply refers to the fifth generation of wireless mobile technology. It emerged in the late 2010s as a replacement for older technologies, like 3G and 4G LTE. But it operates in a similar way, using a series of network towers to beam a signal to cell phones and other Wi-Fi devices.

The biggest difference between 5G and older wireless technologies is the frequency. Basically, 5G operates over a higher frequency spectrum that previously wasn’t widely used for commercial purposes. With fewer competing users on the airwaves, a 5G signal can deliver data faster and with lower latency. That means you get faster and more responsive internet service for streaming, scrolling, gaming, and downloading.

While 5G was originally designed as a cell phone network technology, it is being widely adapted for use as a home internet solution. With a 5G receiver, you can get 5G internet in your home and set up a Wi-Fi network, just like you would with cable or fiber internet.

In fact, in recent years more than 80% of new broadband connections in the U.S. were 5G. The service is spreading so quickly because, in many places, it’s a faster, cheaper, and easier Wi-Fi service than the traditional wired options.

Is 5G the same as 5GHz?
Info Box

You may have noticed that some Wi-Fi networks say 5G next to the name. This is confusing because normally, when we’re talking about an in-home Wi-Fi network, 5G actually refers to 5GHz, which is different from a 5G wireless network. 5GHz is just a frequency that your Wi-Fi router can use to boost internet speeds. You can learn more about 5GHz Wi-Fi networks in our explainer article.

How does 5G compare to other broadband internet services?

5G home internet has a few features that make it different from other broadband internet services.

5G home internet
Fiber and cable
Wireless connection fixed in one placeWired connection fixed in one place
Slower speeds with more fluctuationsFaster speeds with a steadier connection
Cheap prices and lots of dealsCheap prices and deals from some providers
Some accessibility in rural areasLittle to no accessibility in rural areas

Wireless 5G internet is easy to install

Unlike fiber, cable, and DSL internet, 5G home internet doesn’t require any wires to be run into your house. No phone line, no cable, and no fiber. All you need is a wireless receiver (provided by your 5G provider), which acts as a modem and Wi-Fi router as well.

5G internet is not as fast as wired internet

The biggest drawback to 5G home internet is that the speeds usually top out around 300Mbps (unless you’re in specific areas with Verizon). With average speeds in the 50–150Mbps range, 5G home internet is great for small households of one to three people. But bigger households and avid internet users might want an internet solution with more bandwidth.

5G internet is affordable, contract free, and comes with amazing discounts

Because 5G mobile technology already exists for cell phones, it has been relatively easy for major cell phone companies to jump into the 5G home internet market. This has created a great environment for customers, who can pick between several competing carriers. Most plans are around $50–60 a month and don’t require a contract.

If you sign up for 5G home internet with your existing cell phone carrier, you may be able to get up to $20 off your internet bill every month! This is a great way to get your dollar to stretch even further, especially because it's likely you already need to pay for your cell phone bill. 

5G internet is available in some rural areas

You can get 5G home internet in many out of the way places, as long as a cell phone company has existing 5G towers. This makes it a great option for those living in small towns and suburbs where there isn’t fiber-optic infrastructure.

“It can be a good replacement for cable or fiber internet, especially in areas with limited wired infrastructure,” says Andrei Vasilescu of coupon company DontPayFull. “However, 5G coverage is still expanding, and signal strength can be affected by obstacles like walls and trees.”

Is 5G strong enough for home internet?

The short answer is yes. But the long answer is that it depends on which 5G provider you have, your location, and how much internet bandwidth your household uses.

On the lower end of the speed spectrum, 5G internet delivers around 70–150 Mbps. That’s plenty of bandwidth for most couples, small families, students, and retirees. You can easily have one or two devices connected at once—streaming HD movies, gaming, or Zooming into a call—with that speed range.

However, if you live in a bigger household or you have a ton of connected devices in your home, you want to be on the higher end of 5G’s speed range. So look out for Verizon’s wideband 5G (more on that later) or areas where you receive strong T-Mobile or AT&T 5G signals.

In many parts of the country, you can’t get 5G home internet with speeds above 100–200Mbps. In those areas, big families, online influencers, gamers, and other heavy internet users should stick with cable or fiber.

What’s the best 5G internet provider?

All three major cell phone carriers—AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon—offer 5G home internet service. Each one has its own plans, prices, and policies. Here’s a quick breakdown of the details.

Best 5G home internet plans comparison chart
Plan
Price
Download speed
Data cap
Details
T-Mobile 5G Home Internet$50/mo.*72–245Mbps200 GB
Verizon 5G Home Internet$50/mo.Up to 300MbpsUnlimited
AT&T Internet Air$55/mo. 75–225MbpsUnlimited
Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to change. Data verified as of the article's publication date.
* w/ Auto Pay. Regulatory fees included in monthly price for qualified accounts. See full terms.
w/ Auto Pay. Available in select areas.

So, which one is the best 5G home internet provider? It really depends on your location, your current wireless carrier, and what you’re looking for in an internet provider.

If you live in one of the cities across the country where you can get Verizon’s wideband 5G service , then we recommend going with Verizon. If you live elsewhere, then T-Mobile is the next best pick. AT&T is the latest to the 5G home internet game, and it’s still catching up.

But you should always check with your current cell phone provider before you make up your mind (assuming you have a plan from one of the big three). Bundling your cell phone and 5G internet plan together can save you a ton of money.

Should you switch to 5G home internet?

5G home internet is a good option for lots of users. It’s especially useful for college students, military families, and anyone else who needs flexible internet terms and affordable home Wi-Fi prices.

“From the consumer side, 5G home internet may provide a great option that exists in high speeds and low latency,” says Jacob Kalvo of Live Proxies. But, he adds, “5G may still not be the right choice for many more demanding users and use cases—especially where reliability and high-performance characteristics are required to be sustained.”

5G home internet FAQ

Yes, 5G home internet plans are usually around $50–60 a month with no contracts, no hidden fees, and a discount if you have an eligible cell phone plan. This makes 5G home internet cheaper than the average cable or fiber internet plan.

5G internet should not be confused with 5GHz Wi-Fi networks. 5G is a type of internet service that runs through cell phone towers to provide wireless internet at home or on your cell phone. 5GHz Wi-Fi networks are set up by a Wi-Fi router to channel existing internet service. So, hypothetically, you could have 5G internet service that is then channeled through a 5GHz Wi-Fi network.

If none of that makes much sense, don’t worry about it. The short answer is that both 5G internet and at home Wi-Fi networks are both usually fast enough for basic activities, like streaming video or gaming.

The answer depends on what you want. Fiber internet is definitely faster and more reliable than 5G internet. That’s because it is wired directly into your house and doesn't depend on signal strength or wireless technology.

However, 5G home internet is often cheaper and easier to set up than fiber. It’s also available in many areas where fiber isn’t an option. If you have a small household with basic internet needs, 5G home internet is often the better solution.

Easton Smith
Written by
Easton has worked as a freelance writer and researcher for several years, reviewing health, lifestyle, and technology products. He has probably read more Terms of Use contracts than any human alive. When he’s not sitting in front of a computer, Easton spends his time camping, climbing, and volunteering with humanitarian aid organizations.

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