Understanding 5G Home Internet Benefits and Providers in the US

Internet service providers (ISPs) are often a source of frustration for many Americans, ranking among the lowest-rated industries due to confusing pricing, contracts, and limited options, especially in rural areas. The emergence of 5G home internet offers a promising alternative by providing fixed wireless broadband that can reach underserved regions with simpler pricing and setup.

5G home internet leverages the fifth generation of wireless networks to deliver internet service without the need for cables. Instead, it uses radio frequencies to connect a home’s 5G receiver to nearby wireless hubs, similar to satellite internet but with signals transmitted from closer terrestrial towers. This fixed wireless approach allows for easier installation and potentially lower costs.

5G technology includes different frequency bands: millimeter-wave offers the fastest speeds but limited range; midband balances speed and coverage; and low-band provides the widest coverage with moderate speeds. This mix affects the internet speeds customers experience, which typically range from 50 Mbps to 1 Gbps depending on location and provider.

It is important to distinguish 5G home internet from the 5GHz Wi-Fi band found in home routers. While 5GHz Wi-Fi is a local wireless frequency for devices inside a home, 5G home internet is a cellular technology connecting homes to the internet via external 5G networks.

Leading 5G Home Internet Providers and Plans

Several major providers offer 5G home internet with varying plans and coverage:

• AT&T Internet Air: Offers speeds from 75 to 225 Mbps at $60/month with no contracts or overage fees. Available in 48 states but often overlaps with AT&T fiber availability.
• Starry Internet: Uses millimeter-wave fixed wireless technology (not 5G NR) with symmetrical upload/download speeds up to 1 Gbps. Plans range from $15 to $85/month, no contracts, and available in select cities like Boston and Los Angeles.
• T-Mobile 5G Home Internet: Provides speeds between 72 and 245 Mbps at $60/month with unlimited data and no contracts. It has the widest coverage, reaching over 50 million households.
• Verizon 5G Home Internet: Offers up to 1 Gbps speeds with plans from $50 to $70/month, including price locks and perks like free streaming subscriptions. Available in about 900 markets covering 19% of the US.

Availability and Suitability of 5G Home Internet

While 5G home internet is expanding rapidly, it remains limited to mostly urban and suburban areas. T-Mobile leads in coverage, followed by Verizon and AT&T. Starry’s service is limited to a few major cities. Availability is the key factor in determining if 5G home internet is a viable option for a household.

5G home internet offers affordable pricing with no contracts or data caps, making it attractive compared to traditional cable or fiber plans. Speeds are generally faster than DSL or satellite but may not yet match the highest fiber speeds due to current network technology limitations.

For consumers, 5G home internet can be a cost-effective, straightforward alternative with easy setup and no hidden fees. For providers, it represents an opportunity to expand broadband access, especially in underserved rural markets, by leveraging fixed wireless technology.

As 5G networks continue to roll out and mature, we can expect improved speeds, wider coverage, and more competitive pricing, making 5G home internet a key player in the future of broadband connectivity.