Tired of slow, expensive, or unreliable internet service? You probably are. Last year's U.S. industry customer satisfaction survey ranked Internet service providers (ISPs) second from the bottom. For most people, Internet service comes into the home via cable, and options are limited. However, things are changing as mobile carriers roll out their fast, low-latency 5G networks.
For some, 5G home internet could be a viable alternative to traditional broadband. Telecom operators are starting to offer 5G home internet packages in an attempt to recover the costs of network upgrades, and this could ultimately mean serious competition for his ISP. If you're wondering what 5G home internet is, how it differs from broadband, and whether it's right for you, we have all the answers you're looking for.
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What does 5G mean?
5G is a global wireless standard and stands for 5th generation. Mobile phone companies have been rolling out fifth-generation mobile phone networks over the past few years. Compared to the previous generation (4G), 5G frees up unused radio frequencies at the high end of the spectrum. Read our 5G guide to learn more. Simply put, 5G is high speeds, low-latency, and can handle more connected devices.
What is 5G home internet?
5G home internet is an alternative to traditional broadband. Instead of running cables into your home to connect to the internet, you connect wirelessly to 5G cellular networks using fixed receivers inside and outside your home. Just like a mobile phone, you use a SIM card and sign a service contract. You still need a modem and router to convert the incoming signal to Wi-Fi and spread it throughout your home.
What about 4G home internet?
Some carriers already offer 4G LTE home internet, and some offer a combination of 4G and 5G. Both work similarly and require a receiver, but 5G enables faster speeds and lower latency. Theoretical speeds exceed 10 Gbps with 1 ms latency, but real-world performance is typically around 1 Gbps. Gigabits are enough for 5G to compete with broadband. 4G LTE is typically up to 100 Mbps, but in the real world it's often slower.
Is 5G home internet better than broadband?
The short answer is “no.” The longer answer is that it depends. If you have fiber optic cable in your home, you can enjoy super-fast wired internet, but if you rely on copper cable, your internet speed will be limited. The proximity of the exchange and internet demand in your area will also affect the speeds you get. Some people don't have a cable connection, and 5G coverage usually isn't very wide in remote areas. If your area has solid 5G coverage, but internet service is poor or expensive, 5G home internet may be a better choice.
What are the benefits of 5G home internet?
5G home internet has several advantages over wired broadband, but there are three big ones:
- 5G home internet installation tends to be much easier, as no physical cables are required, and you may be able to set it up yourself without an engineer's visit.
- If your area has good 5G coverage, you could potentially enjoy much faster speeds than older copper cables.
- 5G home internet service can be cheaper than wired internet. Some carriers are offering discounts and incentives for adding 5G home internet service to your existing mobile plan.
What are the disadvantages?
There are advantages and disadvantages to everything. Some of the possible disadvantages of 5G home internet are listed below.
- Coverage is limited and is considered best suited for use in urban areas. If 5G coverage is not sufficient in your area, 5G home internet is not suitable for you.
- For best results, you need a receiver with good line-of-sight to the 5G cell site or tower. This may mean installing an antenna outside your home, as 5G signals don't penetrate walls well and are susceptible to interference.
- As 5G adoption continues and networks expand, 5G home internet services may be impacted. A congested 5G network can cause your home internet to become slow or interrupted.
Can I use 5G home internet?
It depends on where you live and the 5G coverage in your area. This coverage map from nPerf lets you select a carrier and see its coverage and download speeds. You can also check with your preferred carrier (most carriers have coverage maps on their websites), but most carriers only cover specific areas (currently large cities). ) only offers his 5G home internet service.
Who is providing 5G home internet?
Those considering 5G home internet service have several options, but be sure to read the small print. Most carriers offer a mix of 4G LTE and 5G. You're likely to get the best deals from carriers with multiple services, so if you already have cell phone service, your carrier may offer you a home internet discount . To get started, here's an alphabetical list of US options, but new services are being rolled out all the time.
- AT&T Internet Air
- starry home internet
- T-Mobile 5G Home Internet
- us cell phone home internet
- Verizon 5G Home Internet
If you live in the UK, you have the following options:
- EE 4G and 5G Mobile Broadband
- National broadband 5G
- 3 4G and 5G home broadband
- Vodafone 5G and 4G Broadband
Is 5G home internet expensive?
5G home internet costs aren't that different from wired internet service. It may be cheaper for some people. 5G home internet plans start at $15 per month (Starry), but most plans range between $30 per month and $80 per month, depending on the speed and service you want. Many carriers offer discounts and other incentives to existing customers. Eager to attract new customers, many 5G home internet services offer unlimited data, fixed contracts, and no equipment fees. Be sure to understand all terms and conditions before signing up.