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5G home internet

Wireless carriers and new startup companies are using a fixed wireless connection through a 5G network to provide home internet. Learn more about how 5G home internet works, who’s providing it and where.

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Top 5G internet providers of 2021

Ari Howard Last updated: September 24, 2021

At Allconnect, we work to present quality information with editorial integrity. While this page may contain offers from our partners, our opinions are our own. Here’s how we make money.

Allconnect’s choice for 5G home internet: Starry Internet

Our favorite provider for 5G home internet is Starry Internet. It offers the best blend of performance and affordability, with a $50/mo. flat rate and 200 Mbps upload and download speeds. On top of that, there are no equipment or installation fees, and you won’t have to lock into a contract. 

Allconnect Methodology

We evaluate broadband providers in four categories: affordability, performance, value and customer satisfaction. Each category contains multiple sub-factors, all of which are weighted differently to impact the provider’s overall score.

We evaluate broadband providers in four categories: affordability, performance, value and customer satisfaction. Each category contains multiple sub-factors, all of which are weighted differently to impact the provider’s overall score.

For each sub-factor, we score all providers on a continuous scale of 1 to 5, relative to the industry as a whole. Because the average download speed in America is currently 180 Mbps, for example, we assigned all plans with download speeds between 100 and 299 Mbps a score between 3 and 4. Xfinity’s 200 Mbps plan received a 3.50 score for download speed, while Spectrum’s 400 Mbps plan got a 4.16.

We only considered standardized data points in our scoring system. More abstract data like consistency of service and brand reputation is still part of our analysis, but we opted to let our writers address them in the context of each review.

Learn more about our methodology

What is 5G internet?

5G stands for fifth generation, and it refers to the newest standard of wireless technology. Compared to past generations, 5G allows data to transfer from a source to its destination quicker and with fewer delays. This network can be applied to both cellphones, which is what most people think of when they hear 5G, and home internet. 

What we like

  • Low latency – With reduced latency, data between a source and its destination will be able to transfer much faster. This means much fewer delays, buffering and lag when you are video chatting or gaming online.

  • No contracts or hidden fees – Most of the providers offering fixed wireless 5G are promising no contracts or hidden fees, which includes free installation.

Things to consider

  • Availability – Not all areas have access to 5G towers yet, and 4G fixed wireless speeds are significantly slower than you can expect from 5G.

  • Speeds could slow at busy times – 5G home internet connections are more prone to traffic congestion than fiber optic or cable networks.

What is fixed wireless 5G?

5G home internet falls under the umbrella of fixed wireless, which is when an internet connection is sent from a fixed antenna to a nearby cellular tower. Currently, fixed wireless internet primarily exists through a 4G network and is mostly used in rural areas. However, more and more cellphone carriers are now launching 5G home internet service around the country. 

5G home internet providers

Right now, Verizon, T-Mobile and Starry Internet are the only providers actually selling 5G home internet. However, AT&T is also working to provide 5G home internet soon. In the meantime, AT&T offers 4G fixed wireless internet in select rural areas. Verizon, Starry and T-Mobile the three main providers offering 5G home internet throughout the country.

Allconnect Rating

4.30 / 5

Starry Internet: Best 5G home internet overall

Starry Internet is a brand new 5G home internet internet provider. It is the only fixed wireless 5G provider that is not a wireless carrier. However, just like Verizon, it includes taxes and additional fees in its advertised price, and there is no promotional pricing. Through Starry, you can connect up to 60 devices at a time. 

Current promotions and special offers 

  • Free installation: With Starry, you have the option for self-installation; however, Starry is also currently offering professional installation to all customers for free. 

Starry internet availability 

Starry is currently available in 51 markets in 25 states, including: 

  • Boston, MA
  • Denver, CO
  • Los Angeles, CA
  • San Antonio, TX
  • Washington, D.C. 
Verizon logo

Allconnect Rating

4.11 / 5

Verizon 5G Home: Fastest speeds

Verizon currently offers fixed wireless 5G internet, referred to as Verizon 5G Home Internet, in select areas. Verizon keeps pricing simple with all taxes and additional fees included in the advertised price. 

*For existing customers with a Verizon mobile plan of $30/mo. or greater.

Current promotions and special offers 

  • Free professional installation – While installing a fixed wireless connection can be done without professional assistance, Verizon is currently offering free professional installation for all customers. For those living in a larger home, a Wi-Fi extender mini may also be installed in your home free of charge to ensure adequate Wi-Fi coverage. 
  • Streaming accessory: You get a free Stream TV device if you opt for self-installation or a free Verizon Stream TV device when you opt for professional setup.
  • Amazon smart home bundle: For a limited time, you will receive an Amazon Smart Home Bundle when you sign up for Verizon 5G Home Internet.
  • Sling TV: Verizon will provide Sling TV for two months for free. After that, the cost is $35/mo. to continue your subscription. 

Verizon 5G home internet availability 

Verizon 5G Home Internet is currently available in select areas of:

  • Los Angeles, CA
  • Sacramento, CA
  • San Jose, CA
  • Denver, CO
  • Atlanta, GA
  • Chicago, IL
  • Indianapolis, IN
  • Detroit, MI
  • Minneapolis, MN
  • Saint Paul, MN
  • Dallas, TX
  • Houston, TX

Allconnect Rating

3.85 / 5

T-Mobile 5G Home Internet: Most affordable plans

T-Mobile 5G Home Internet promises no price increases and the advertised price includes all additional fees and taxes. An additional perk is that T-Mobile includes built-in security features to protect your internet service. However, unlike other providers that are currently offering free professional installation, T-Mobile only offers free self-installation. 

T-Mobile home internet availability 

T-Mobile 5G Home Internet is currently available to about 30 million households in over 40 different states. You can see a full PDF list of cities or check your address on T-Mobile’s website to see if your home has access.

5G home internet equipment requirements

Another perk of fixed wireless internet is that installation will be fairly simple. This means that, in most cases, self-installation will be an option; however, for now, most carriers are offering free installation. Here’s the equipment you will need: 

  • Outdoor antenna –  Must be installed on top of your home and in line of sight to a nearby 5G base station.
  • 5G router  – converts 5G radio waves into Wi-Fi.
  • Antenna power supply – a cable that connects the antenna and router.
  • Wi-Fi extender – If you have a larger home, you will likely need at least one Wi-Fi extender in order to provide internet access to your whole home.

What’s the difference between 5G mobile and 5G home internet?

There are two ways of connecting to the 5G network: through cellular service (mobile 5G) and through fixed wireless (5G home internet). With 5G cellular service, customers must purchase a mobile device that is capable of receiving 5G radio waves. With fixed wireless providers, this is usually done through antenna on top of one’s home must be in line of sight to a base station with another antenna. Newer 5G home internet providers like T-Mobile and Verizon only require a small modem inside the house.

To break it down, here are the most important differences between 5G mobile and 5G home internet:

Portability: 5G mobile is portable and 5G home internet is limited to the home.

Equipment: 5G mobile requires a compatible 5G mobile device to connect to 5G through a cellular tower. 5G home internet requires a modem that connects devices in the house to the 5G network.

Reliability: Since 5G mobile requires widespread coverage because it is portable, it is less likely to have consistent speeds than 5G home internet, which never changes location. Even in one’s home, a fixed wireless connection is more likely to receive a better signal than a mobile connection.

Data caps: In addition to being less reliable and receiving an inferior signal, 5G mobile is generally not a good replacement for home Wi-Fi because its plans tend to have data caps. Most 5G home internet providers, on the other hand, offer unlimited data. 

5G home internet FAQs

Is 5G home internet or fiber optic internet better?

Although fiber optic is currently the fastest and most cost-efficient option available, 5G home internet will likely become the superior choice once it becomes more widely available. While fiber optic gig plans tend to cost over $100/mo., 5G home internet plans will be able to provide gig speeds for about half the price.

If there is a base station in line of sight to your home, you will likely be able to purchase 5G home internet even if you do not own your home. However, you will need approval from your landlord if an antenna is not already installed on top of your apartment, condominium or townhome.

Out of all the most common forms of internet service, DSL, cable, fiber optic and satellite, fixed wireless is most similar to satellite internet because they both require installing equipment on top of your home to receive signals from external sources. These two types of internet service differ because while satellite internet is created from a satellite dish connecting to an orbiting satellite, fixed wireless is created from an antenna on top of your home connecting to a line of sight 5G base station.

No. 5G home Wi-Fi uses a dedicated gateway device to connect to the 5G network, which then connects your devices through Wi-Fi. 5G home internet is generally faster and more reliable than 5G mobile, which connects your 5G-compatible device directly to the nearest cell tower.

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Ari Howard

Written by:

Ari Howard

Associate Writer, Broadband & Wireless Content

Ari is an Associate Writer for the Allconnect team, focusing on broadband and wireless news, as well as broadband and TV provider deals. She recently graduated from Davidson College with a bachelor’s degree in… Read more

Robin Layton

Edited by:

Robin Layton

Editor, Broadband Content

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