Kris Carlon / Android Authority

Although 5G is often associated with smartphones, the actual scope of the technology goes way beyond this, potentially affecting VR, AR, IoT, and even home internet access.

5G home internet providers are still pretty uncommon. We’ve seen two of the big three US carriers jump into the ring. There’s one independent player and a smaller carrier as well. In this guide, we take you through the best 5G home internet plans to help you decide if 5G internet is the right move.

What is 5g home internet and should you consider it? As you likely surmised from the name, 5G home internet relies on 5G wireless network technology. It stands for the 5th generation and is the successor to the existing 4G LTE standard. It offers faster speed, lower latency, and greatly increased bandwidth capabilities. If interested, we have a deeper guide where you can learn more about the differences between LTE and 5G.

5G home internet requires a simple receiver that connects to a wireless 5G network. There are no wired connections involved at the site beyond the router and the receiver. That is in contrast to traditional cable, fiber, or DSL internet options. This makes it easier to hook up and move around. Unfortunately, at least in its current capacity, 5G internet tends to have a pretty low range making it more common in cities and other areas with higher population counts.

Ultimately 5G internet is capable of similar speeds and performance to some of the traditional wired internet plans out there. Just be aware consistency and availability will remain its biggest weakness for now. Still, it’s a no-hassle way to get online, and there are some significant discounts if you’re already a subscriber to Verizon, US Cellular, or T-Mobile.

If you were hoping it would give you an option for rural or remote access, you’re much better off looking into Starlink — a satellite service that performs similarly but is available to more remote regions.

Best 5G home internet plans

Right now, there are just three notable 5G fixed wireless carriers in the United States: T-Mobile, Verizon, and Starry. The first two are the most wide-reaching of the services, but for now, 5G home internet is mostly limited to larger cities. Here’s a quick breakdown of pricing, speed, latency, and other key details:

T-Mobile Home Internet 5G

$30 for Go5G/Magenta subscribers$50 for non-subscribers85-300MbpsNone24-40msT-Mobile 5G Home Internet will cost just $30 for subscribers to a Go5G or Magenta plan, or $50 for those that don’t have T-Mobile phone service.

Verizon Home Internet 5G

$25-$35 for phone subscribers$50-$70 for non-subscribers85-300MbpsNone10-35msDespite Big Red’s typical MO of being the most expensive, Verizon 5G Home Internet is actually pretty affordable.

Starry 5G

$50-$80Plus: 200MbpsPro: 500MbpsGigabit: 1GbpsNone15 – 40msStarry is an independent fixed wireless carrier that uses its own mmWave 5G technology and offers a variety of plans ranging from $50 to $80.

US Cellular

$50 (requires US Cellular phone plan)80-300MbpsNone15 – 40msLike Starry, US Cellular is going to have pretty limited availability. The carrier is mostly known for servicing the Midwest and select rural pockets across the country.

FAQ

How fast is 5G home internet?

While speeds will vary, most 5G fixed wireless networks offer max speeds in the 245-300Mbps range and lows during peaks should rarely get worse than the 50Mbps range.

Is 5G home internet good?

Yes, though it really depends on your definition of good. It’s currently available in limited locations, but speeds are typically better or similar to cable internet. In most cases, you’ll find that wired ISPs offer more consistent speeds, though not necessarily higher. Verizon’s 5G Home Internet most favorably compares to cable Internet, while Starry’s Gigabit plan is able to somewhat compete with fiber.

Is Verizon 5g Home Internet good?

Yes, absolutely! Its mmWave network is the fastest right now and if it’s available you’ll find it can easily compete with many wired ISPs. Fiber will still trounce it, however.

Where is Verizon 5g Home Internet available?

There are dozens of cities, including Houston, Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Memphis, Omaha, St Louis, San Jose, San Fransico and many others. For a full list, check out Verizon.

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