Top 5G home internet providers

5G home internet providers

5G home internet is the latest internet technology, using cellphone towers to send internet to your home. 5G providers perform similar to traditional internet providers, reaching speeds as fast as 1,000 Mbps in some areas.

So, what is 5G home 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 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. 

Available 5G home internet providers

Right now, Verizon, T-Mobile, Starry Internet and Ultra 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.

*Pricing per month plus taxes for length of contract. Additional fees and terms may apply. Pricing varies by location and availability. All prices subject to change at any time. May or may not be available based on service address. As of 03/30/22.

How we evaluate internet providers

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

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Allconnect Rating

4.27 / 5

Verizon 5G Home Internet: Best overall

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

Verizon offers the fastest speeds of any 5G home internet provider by far. You can expect to get between 300 and 1,000 Mbps in areas with 5G coverage. Unfortunately, it’s not as widely available as T-Mobile or Ultra.

*For existing customers with a Verizon mobile plan of $30/mo. or greater.
*Pricing per month plus taxes for length of contract. Additional fees and terms may apply. Pricing varies by location and availability. All prices subject to change at any time. May or may not be available based on service address. As of 03/30/22.

Current promotions and special offers 

• Free professional installation – While installing a 5G home internet 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: New customers get a free Stream TV device when they subscribe to Verizon 5G Home.

• Contract buyout: Verizon will pay up to $500 in early termination fees from your previous provider when you switch to 5G Home.

Verizon 5G home internet availability and coverage map

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

Allconnect Rating

4.25 / 5

Starry Internet: A close second

Starry Internet is a brand new 5G home internet provider. It is the only fixed wireless 5G provider that is not also a wireless carrier. However, just like Verizon, it includes taxes and additional fees in its advertised price, and there is no promotional pricing.

*Pricing per month plus taxes for length of contract. Additional fees and terms may apply. Pricing varies by location and availability. All prices subject to change at any time. May or may not be available based on service address. As of 03/30/22.

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 and coverage map

Starry is currently available in 67 markets in 25 states, including: 

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

Allconnect Rating

3.85 / 5

T-Mobile 5G Home Internet: Best availability

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. 

*Pricing per month plus taxes for length of contract. Additional fees and terms may apply. Pricing varies by location and availability. All prices subject to change at any time. May or may not be available based on service address. As of 03/30/22.

T-Mobile home internet availability and coverage map

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.

Allconnect Rating

3.04 / 5

Ultra Home Internet: Best for rural areas

If you don’t have many internet options at your address, Ultra Home Internet is a decent alternative to satellite or DSL internet. You’ll get about 100 Mbps of download speed, but each plan comes with data caps that make things like 4K streaming or remote work impractical.

*Pricing per month plus taxes for length of contract. Additional fees and terms may apply. Pricing varies by location and availability. All prices subject to change at any time. May or may not be available based on service address. As of 03/30/22.

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 an antenna on top of one’s home that must be in line of sight to a base station with another antenna, in addition to a small modem inside the house.

How is 5G different than cable or fiber internet?

The primary difference between 5G and other types of broadband is that 5G uses wireless signals to connect you to the internet, while cable and fiber rely on a wired infrastructure. Each internet type has its own strengths and weaknesses, but in general, the quality of your 5G home internet connection will depend on your proximity to your provider’s cell towers or nodes. Fortunately, none of the major 5G internet providers require a contract, so you can try them for a month without committing long-term.

5G home internet FAQs

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Written by:

Ari Howard

Associate Writer, Broadband & Wireless Content

Ari is an Associate Writer for the Allconnect team. She primarily writes about broadband news and studies, particularly relating to internet access, digital safety, broadband-related technology and the digital d… Read more

Edited by:

Robin Layton

Editor, Broadband Content

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