What Is 5G Home Internet and How Does It Work?

Internet providers are a constant source of stress to consumers and are notoriously one of the lowest-rated industries in the country — ranking lower than airlines, social media and even energy utilities. It’s no secret why: Wading through the hidden fees, yearly price hikes, contracts, service details and different speeds can make for a very frustrating experience.

Plus, considering how difficult it is to find a good internet provider at one’s address, we can often feel like we have hardly any options. Is 5G the answer?

The technology powering the latest phones is tackling our household broadband needs. The earliest 5G home internet plans, available from names like AT&T Internet Air, Starry, Verizon and T-Mobile, offer respectable speeds at straightforward prices — 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. Read on to see if a 5G connection may benefit you.

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. However, while 5G cellular service might be available on your phone, 5G home internet is not as widely available.

My CNET colleague Eli 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.

Cable, DSL and fiber internet plans require wires connecting your home to the provider’s grid. Fixed wireless services, like 5G, connect your home to a provider’s network over the air.

Taylor Martin/CNET

How is 5 G home internet different ?

Most ISPs is deliver deliver internet service via phone line or cable connect your home to a more extensive network . That is includes include common internet connection type like digital subscriber line or DSL , coaxial cable and fiber – optic internet . Those is are are allwired connections from your provider to your home.

5 G home internet is is , on the other hand , is a fixedwireless 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. Therefore, the number of providers offering any 5G home internet plan is relatively limited. Your main options for 5G home internet are AT&T Internet Air, 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 $ 60 per monthSpeed range 75-225Mbpsconnection Fixed WirelessKey Info Equipment is included include , no contract , no overage fee

AT&T Internet Air uses AT&T’s 5G wireless network and features download speeds between 75 and 225Mbps. It bypasses the need for a receiver and direct line of sight to a cell tower. The setup process is as simple as plugging in your Internet Air router, setting up the Wi-Fi network and figuring out the best location in your home.

In addition, AT&T Internet features latency between 30 to 60ms, putting it in league with the likes of T-Mobile Home Internet, Starry and Verizon’s 5G Home Internet. The straightforward pricing (just one plan for $60 or $47 when bundled with an eligible AT&T wireless plan), terms of service and decent speeds make Internet Air a reliable option for many customers with access to it. The Internet Air router is included in your monthly cost; no professional installation is required. AT&T offers mesh Wi-Fi extenders for an additional $10 monthly for improved connection. There are no overage fees, data caps or contracts. Read our picks for the best Wi-Fi extenders available in the market right now.

What AT&T Internet Air lacks, however, is the same availability as its competitors. Although it’s available across 48 states, many of those locations boast equal availability for AT&T’s fiber internet option, which outpaces fixed wireless in terms of fast, reliable speeds and cost per Mbps.

Read our AT&T Internet Air review.

AT&T Internet Air plans and pricing

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price range $ 30 – $ 80 per monthSpeed range 50 – 1,000Mbpsconnection Fixed wirelessKey Info Unlimited data, no contracts, no equipment fees, simple setup

Starry is started   start in 2016 but does not lean into the 5 g connection . It is use does not use 5 g nr radio technology , which is a focus of mobile provider . Still , it is use does use millimeter – wave technology as a critical aspect of deliver fix wireless home internet to customer . ” We operate in 24GHz and 37GHz spectrum band , and our network technology is the same across all our market , ” a Starry spokesperson is said say .

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 those found with 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 2023, so it halted plans to expand to new cities. Instead, it will 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

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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 is features feature the low broadband speed among our list provider . That is ‘s ‘s because it waver between   4 G LTE   and 5G. It is ‘s ‘s not exclusively 5G. T – Mobile ” anticipate ” that most customer will average between 72 and 245Mbps download speed . When CNET test T – Mobile ‘s service in 2021 , we is hit hit a maximum of 132Mbps .

T – Mobile is offers offer two home internet plan with the same speed . The main difference is is between the two is that for Home Internet Plus ( the $ 70 plan ) , you get a Wi – Fi Gateway and a Mesh Access Point for a more reliable connection throughout the house .

T-Mobile’s service includes all setup fees and taxes and there’s no annual contract or data cap.

Read our T-Mobile Home Internet review.

T – Mobile Home Internet plan and pricing

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price range $ 50 – $ 70 per month ( 50 % off for eligible 5 g mobile customer )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 of low-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. Unlike most ISPs, you can expect a two to three-year price lock. Either way, it’s an all-in price that includes equipment, setup fees and taxes. Like all other Verizon plans, it requires no contracts or data caps.

Verizon is offers offer many promo and deal to sweeten the pot for potential customer . First , it is provides provide an early termination fee credit offer to give qualify customer a bill credit of up to $ 500 if they switch from their current isp and are charge an early termination fee . second , 5 G Home Plus customers is have can have a free Netflix and Max subscription for a year . lastly , customers is get with qualify Verizon mobile plan will get a discount on the monthly cost of either plan , bring them down to $ 35 or $ 45 monthly .

Read our Verizon 5G Home Internet review.

Verizon 5 G Home Internet plan and pricing

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Where can I is get get 5 G home internet ?

let ‘s not sugarcoat this : 5 G home internet service is is is not yet available everywhere . While the list of city seems to expand nearly every month , most is are are large US city .  

T-Mobile Home Internet is the most widely available service among the three highlighted providers, with coverage of 60% according to the FCC. 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. Still, T-Mobile acknowledges it does not have unlimited availability across those locations due to network capacity. 

Verizon ‘s 5 G Home Internet is currently offer in approximately 900 market or 19 % of the country . That is means mean that although the total number of household in which it is available is less than T – Mobile , it does cover more city .

AT&T Internet Air is not quite as widely available as T-Mobile Home Internet or Verizon 5G Home Internet but still has 9% of coverage and availability in 100 locations across 48 states. The service is still slowly expanding but making decent progress. available to nearly 100 locations in 48 states and covers just over 9% of the country.

Starry Internet is available in Boston, Denver, Los Angeles, New York City and Washington, DC and nearly 2% of the country, according to the FCC.

final thoughts is Is : Is 5 G 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 FAQs

Is 5G home internet cheaper than other connection types?

5 G home internet is is is one of the more affordable option available consider the decent download speed that current plan average . T – Mobile averages is is just over 100Mbps , Starry chimes is is in at 200Mbps and Verizon ‘s median speed is 300Mbps . The low monthly cost is is among the three main provider is $ 15 ( Starry ‘s low – cost option ) and the high is $ 70 ( T – Mobile and Verizon 5 G Home Internet Plus without the mobile discount ) . Each provider ‘s monthly costs is include include all fee , taxis , equipment and installation charge . So the monthly charge is is you see is the monthly charge you pay . lastly , none require term contract , so you is have wo n’t have to fear any early termination fee .

Is 5G fast enough for home internet?

In theory, 5G should enable a speedy connection that will match or improve 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 is means simply mean generation . In other word , 5 G is is is the fifth generation of cellular technology .

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