Is 5G Home Internet Worth the Hassle? Your Questions Answered (2024)

Are you tired of being tied to internet service providers with cumbersome contracts, slow speeds, restrictive terms and rising fees? You're not alone. A2023 customer survey tagged ISPs as the country's second-lowest-rated industry. Yes, internet providers are even lower than airlines, social media, health insurance companies and the US Postal Service. The Federal Communications Commission seems to agree and recently enacted new broadband nutrition labels to help consumers better decipher all those ISP hidden fees. Even so, all too often, we feel we have hardly any options. Could 5G be the answer?

The technology powering the latest phones also wants to tackle our household broadband needs. A solid home internet connection is vital, whether you'reworking from home or decompressing with the latest video games. The earliest 5G home internet plans, available from names like Starry, Verizon and T-Mobile, offer respectable speeds at a straightforward price -- but availability is limited to select cities and regions. CNET has reviewed all the major 5G services and we've got the details on how they work, how fast 5G gets, what it costs and where it's available.

So, what is 5G home internet?

Simply put, 5G stands for the fifth generation. The fifth generation of what? The fifth generation of wireless data networks. You're probably most familiar with hearing 5G used to describe better mobile communications and speedier phones. You're not wrong: 5G networks, which use different radio frequencies than previous generations, aim to provide faster data speeds with much less lag or delay than we had with 4G.

Locating local internet providers

My CNET colleagueEli Blumenthal does a great job of breaking down the basics of 5G. Millimeter-wave technology uses higher frequencies than previous generations, providing faster speeds and connections. Those higher, gigabit speeds come with a price: the data doesn't travel the same distance as 4G and has more trouble with obstructions. To combat that, midband technology, which offers speeds averaging between 300 and 400 megabits per second, increases the coverage area provided by millimeter-wave. Finally, low-band 5G offers a range similar to 4G but speeds between 100 and 200Mbps.

Is 5G home internet the same as 5GHz?

No, it's not the same. One common mistake is to see the "5GHz" setting on your Wi-Fi router and assume you have access to 5G. Wi-Fi routers also use short-range radio frequencies (typically either 2.4GHz or 5GHz) -- to transmit your internet signal to connected devices within your home. 5GHz might be one of the band options for your home's Wi-Fi system, but it's not the same as 5G, which is a cellular technology that uses higher-frequency waves.

Locating local internet providers

Is 5G Home Internet Worth the Hassle? Your Questions Answered (1)

How is 5G home internet different?

Most ISPs deliver internet service via phone lines or cables connecting your home to a more extensive network. That includes common internet connection types like digital subscriber lines, coaxial cable and fiber-optic internet. Those are all wired connections from your provider to your home.

5G home internet, on the other hand, is a fixed wireless internet service, which means that the connection between your provider and your home is not wired. With 5G, you will need an indoor or outdoor 5G receiver at your house to pick up the signal. It's similar to satellite internet, but instead of beaming in a signal from satellites you see orbiting in the night sky, it's relaying information from a much closer wireless hub. Although you're using the same 5G network as your mobile phone, the gateway is specific to your location and cannot be used elsewhere.

What providers offer 5G home internet?

5G is still being deployed across the country. For that reason, the number of providers currently offering any 5G home internet plan is relatively limited. For example, provides a 5G mobile service, but its fixed wireless solution did not utilize its 5G network. That dynamic changed midway through 2023 when .As of late January 2024, AT&T Internet Air is now available in 59 locations across the country.

Right now, your main options for 5G home internet are Starry, T-Mobile and Verizon. All prices listed on this page reflect available discounts for setting up paperless billing. If you decide not to go with automatic monthly payments, your monthly bill will be higher. Now, let's explore what each offers.

Price range $30 - $80 per monthSpeed range 50 - 1,000MbpsConnection Fixed wirelessKey Info Unlimited data, no contracts, no equipment fees, simple setup

Starrystarted in 2016 but does not lean into the 5G connection. It does not use 5G NR radio technology, which is a focus of mobile providers. Still, it does use millimeter-wave technology as a critical aspect of delivering fixed wireless home internet to customers. "We operate in 24GHz and 37GHz spectrum bands, and our network technology is the same across all our markets," a Starry spokesperson said.

The monthly price includes unlimited data, free equipment and installation, and no contracts. It's also the only 5G home internet provider listed here that features symmetrical or near-symmetrical download and upload speeds, similar to what you'd find with a fiber internet service.

Lastly, Starry also offers a "30-Day Happy Interneting Guarantee" with a full refund if you aren't satisfied with the service and cancel within the first 30 days.

It should be noted that Starry exited Chapter 11 in August of 2023, so it halted plans to expand to new cities. Itwill focus on its five existing markets: Boston, Denver, Los Angeles, New York and Washington, DC.

Read our Starry Internet review.

Starry Internet plans and pricing

PlanMax speedsMonthly priceEquipment feeData capContract
Starry Connect
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30Mbps download, 30Mbps upload$15 NoneNoneNone
Starry Basic
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50Mbps download, 50Mbps upload$30 NoneNoneNone
Starry Select
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100Mbps download, 50Mbps upload$30 NoneNoneNone
Starry Plus
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200Mbps download, 100Mbps upload$50 NoneNoneNone
Starry Pro
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500Mbps download, 250Mbps upload$65 NoneNoneNone
Starry Gigabit
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1,000Mbps download, 500Mbps upload$80 NoneNoneNone

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Price range $60 per monthSpeed range 72 - 245MbpsConnection Fixed wirelessKey Info Unlimited data, equipment included, no contracts

T-Mobile Home Internet features the lowest broadband speeds among our listed providers. That's because it wavers between4G LTEand 5G. It's not exclusively 5G. T-Mobile "anticipates" that most customers will average between 72 and 245Mbps download speeds. When CNET tested T-Mobile's service in 2021, we hit a maximum of 132Mbps.

T-Mobile's service includes all setup fees and taxes. There's no annual contract or data cap. It'll also give you a $200 gift card for switching providers. Among its current deals are six free months of SiriusXM, weekly perks through T-Mobile Tuesday, and savings of $20 off the monthly price for eligible T-Mobile voice customers.

Read our T-Mobile Home Internet review.

T-Mobile Home Internet plans and pricing

PlanMax speedsMonthly priceEquipment feeData capContract
T-Mobile Home Internet
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72-245Mbps download, 15-31Mbps upload$60-$70 ($40-$50 for eligible Magenta Max mobile customers)NoneNoneNone

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Price range $50 - $70 per month (50% off for eligible 5G mobile customers)Speed range 85 - 1,000MbpsConnection Fixed wirelessKey Info Unlimited data, no contracts, free equipment, 50% discount for qualifying Verizon mobile customers

Verizon's 5G internet service, which uses Ultra Wideband 5G technology, boasts maximum download speeds of up to 1 gigabit and average speeds of around 300Mbps. Upload speeds are not symmetrical and will plateau at 50Mbps or less because Verizon does not exclusively use millimeter-wave technology but rather a mix oflow-band, mid-band and millimeter-wave.

Verizon 5G Home Internet pricing is $50 a month for 50 to 300Mbps or $70 monthly for 85 to 1,000Mbps, plus some extra perks. Either way, it's an all-in price that includes equipment, setup fees and taxes, and like all other Verizon plans, it requires no contracts or data caps.

Verizon offers many promos and deals to sweeten the pot for potential customers. First, it provides an early termination fee credit offer to give qualifying customers a bill credit of up to $500 if they switch from their current ISP and are charged an ETF. Second, 5G Home Plus customers can get a $200 Target gift card. Lastly, customers with qualifying Verizon mobile plans will get a discount on the monthly cost of either plan, bringing them down to $35 or $45 monthly.

Read our Verizon 5G Home Internet review.

Verizon 5G Home Internet plans and pricing

PlanMax speedsMonthly priceEquipment feeData capContract
Verizon 5G Home
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50-300Mbps download, 5-20Mbps upload$50 ($35 for qualifying Verizon mobile customers)NoneNoneNone
Verizon 5G Home Plus
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85-1,000Mbps download, 10-70Mbps upload$70 ($45 for qualifying Verizon mobile customers)NoneNoneNone

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Where can I get 5G home internet?

Let's not sugarcoat this: 5G home internet service is not yet available everywhere. While the list of cities seems to expand nearly every month, most are larger US cities.

T-Mobile Home Internet is the most widely available service among the three highlighted providers. While Verizon's 5G home internet service is now available to 40 million homes, T-Mobile leapfrogged that by expanding its fixed wireless service to over 50 million households. Yet T-Mobile acknowledges it does not have unlimited availability across those locations due to network capacity.

Verizon's 5G Home Internet is currently offered in approximately 900 markets. That means that although the total number of households in which it is available is less than T-Mobile, it does cover more cities.

Starry Internet is available in Boston,Denver,Los Angeles,New York City and Washington, DC.

Final thoughts: Is 5G home internet for you?

The first thing to be said is what we always say regarding ISPs. No matter how good the service, it's all moot if unavailable at your address. 5G technology is still being rolled out nationwide, so we should expect to see some bumps in the road as that effort continues.

Still, 5G home internet availability is increasing at a pretty rapid pace. The affordable, straightforward pricing is vastly appealing, and it's what jumps off the page for me. Time will tell if that trend holds as availability continues to expand. It would be a real step forward if 5G could emerge as a viable broadband option for traditionally underserved parts of rural America. As CNET alum Rick Broida put it after he tested T-Mobile's service, "Imperfection is a lot more tolerable when you're paying less than half what you were before."

5G home internet FAQ

Is 5G home internet cheaper than other connection types?

5G home internet is one of the more affordable options available considering the decent download speeds that current plans average. T-Mobile averages just over 100Mbps, Starry chimes in at 200Mbps and Verizon's median speed is 300Mbps. The lowest monthly cost among the three main providers is $15 (Starry's low-cost option) and the highest is $70 (Verizon 5G Home Plus without the Verizon mobile discount). Each provider's monthly costs include all fees, taxes, equipment and installation charges. So the monthly charge you see is the monthly charge you pay. Lastly, none require term contracts, so you won't have to fear any early termination fees.

Is 5G fast enough for home internet?

In theory, 5G should enable a speedy connection that will match or better what you get with cable or fiber internet. That's usually not the case regarding the reality of 5G home internet. To increase the reliability and coverage of the 5G internet service, most providers rely on a mix of millimeter-wave, low-band and midband technology -- as well as 4G LTE in some cases -- and this means home internet customers won't see the real high-end capabilities of 5G at present. You should see well over the average speeds of your typical DSL and satellite internet plans.

What does the 'G' stand for in 5G?

It simply means generation. In other words, 5G is the fifth generation of cellular technology.

What's the difference between 5G home internet and cable internet?

Cable internet -- whether coaxial cable, fiber-optic cableor a hybrid of the two -- relies on wires to transmit data from a central hub into your home. 5G home internet is a fixed wireless solution that uses an internet gateway to connect your home using radio frequencies to connect to a cell tower or data hub nearby.

Is 5G Home Internet Worth the Hassle? Your Questions Answered (2024)

FAQs

Is it worth switching to 5G home internet? ›

If you live in an area with limited access to fiber or cable, Verizon 5G Home Internet is a smart choice because it has download speeds that could rival cable and fiber. With only two plans and transparent pricing, it stands out for its simplicity and value, especially if you're already a Verizon cellular customer.

What are the negatives of 5G home internet? ›

Here are some of the possible cons of 5G home internet: Coverage is limited and is likely to be best in cities. If you don't have good 5G coverage in your area, 5G home internet is not for you. You will need a receiver with a good line of sight to a 5G cell site or tower for the best results.

Is 5G fast enough for home internet? ›

5G internet is pretty much equivalent to what you get from a bottom- or mid-tier cable internet plan. But it's not as fast as fiber internet, and the wireless network of a 5G plan isn't as consistent as cable or fiber.

Is 5G home internet good for streaming TV? ›

If you depend on the internet for gaming, working from home or streaming content, then 5G internet may not be fast enough or provide a consistent experience for you. Most people consider download speeds first when figuring out their usage needs. People consume more data when downloading.

What is the downside of using 5G? ›

The high-frequency radio waves that 5G signals travel on are easily blocked by common objects such as buildings and/or trees so ensuring seamless routes for the waves to travel can be a problem.

Should I use 5G or WiFi at home? ›

When operating on licensed spectrum, 5G offers superior reliability and better predictability to meet critical communication needs. 5G is designed to fulfill QoS requirements for a much broader range of use cases than Wi-Fi (5G has full support for massive MTC, eMBB, critical IoT, TSN).

Why is my internet so bad when I have 5G? ›

5G's higher frequency bands cannot penetrate certain solid materials, significantly reducing signal strength inside a home or apartment. Apartment complexes, homes, or other large structures can obstruct communication with a 5G cell tower, leading to weaker signal reception and slower speeds.

Can 5G replace my home internet? ›

5G home internet can replace cable and DSL for some

At this time, the reality is that 5G home internet can replace cable and DSL connections for some people, but not everyone.

Why is 5G not good indoors? ›

It is generally difficult for radio signals to penetrate building walls and windows, with mid-band frequencies–the spectrum band predominantly used for 5G deployment–struggling in particular.

Who has the best home WiFi service? ›

The 10 Best Internet Providers of 2024
  • Verizon Fios: Best Value.
  • Cox Communications: Best Custom Plan Options.
  • Charter Spectrum: Best for Affordable Bundles.
  • Google Fiber: Best Fiber Internet.
  • Kinetic: Best for Rural Areas.
  • HughesNet: Best Satellite Internet.
  • Mediacom: Best for Low-Capacity Internet Users.
Jul 23, 2024

Which 5G home internet is best? ›

Internet service providers (ISPs) offering 5G home internet include Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T and Starry, with prices starting at $30/mo.
  • T-Mobile 5G Home Internet: Best in availability and customer satisfaction.
  • Verizon 5G Home Internet: Best for bundling and fast download speeds.
  • Starry Internet: Best upload speeds.

Is 5G fast enough for Netflix? ›

Multiple internet providers work great for streaming. Fiber and cable internet work the best. 5G internet, fixed wireless and DSL internet are also good for streaming.

What are the downsides of 5G home internet? ›

Here are some of the downsides of 5G home internet: Limited coverage since 5G networks aren't available in all areas, and can be spotty in some locations. Expensive infrastructure in new cell towers and equipment. Signal interference from trees, buildings and other obstacles.

Should I connect my smart TV to 5G? ›

For devices that benefit from a faster Wi-Fi connection such as 4K smart TVs that are capable of connecting to 5GHz, this option will provide a seamless experience for all the family. For streaming devices that are further away from the router, it may be a more reliable option to connect them to the 2.4 GHz.

Can I take my 5G home internet anywhere? ›

You may be able to bring the 5G Home Internet equipment with you to a new address, but you must get our authorization first: Contact us before you move to confirm service availability and your setup options. If you move without our advance authorization we may not be able to provide service to you.

Could 5G WiFi really replace cable Internet? ›

Thanks to 5G technology, mobile data has become just as efficient for a strong internet connection as our home networks. After all, it's even faster than cable internet! All you need is a 5G-ready mobile phone and a 5G tower nearby. Say goodbye to routers, cables, and even broadband infrastructure.

Is 5G home internet better than fiber? ›

In most cases, fiber is a better solution than 5G home internet. Not only does fiber possess the most developed internet infrastructure, but it also provides faster speeds and lower latency than 5G. Fiber is perfect for data-intensive activities including: Streaming high-res videos.

Is switching to 5G worth it? ›

In some regions, 5G speeds and reliability rival or even exceed traditional broadband options. In these situations, a 5G router could be an excellent primary Internet solution. But if wired broadband in your area offers similar or better performance at a lower cost, it might be the better choice.

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