Quick Answer
5G home internet uses cellular 5G towers instead of cables or fiber to deliver broadband to your home. The two major providers are T-Mobile 5G Home Internet ($50/month, no contract, unlimited data) and Verizon 5G Home ($60/month, or $35 with a Verizon mobile plan). Typical speeds range from 72–245 Mbps (T-Mobile) and 85–300 Mbps (Verizon), making 5G a legitimate alternative to cable internet—especially in areas with limited wired options. Call (844) 839-5057 for T-Mobile or (855) 452-1505 for Verizon to check availability at your address.
What Is 5G Home Internet?
5G home internet (also called 5G fixed wireless access or 5G FWA) is a broadband service that delivers internet to your home over 5G cellular networks instead of traditional cables, phone lines, or fiber optics. Instead of a modem connected to a cable or fiber line, you receive a 5G gateway device—essentially a specialized 5G router—that connects to the nearest 5G tower and creates a Wi-Fi network in your home.
This approach eliminates the need for a wired connection to your home entirely. There's no technician visit, no drilling holes, no running cables. You plug in the gateway, position it near a window for optimal signal, and you're online within minutes.
5G home internet has grown explosively since its launch. T-Mobile alone reported over 6 million 5G home internet subscribers by the end of 2026, making it the fastest-growing segment of the U.S. broadband market. Verizon's 5G Home service has similarly expanded, now reaching over 50 million households. The appeal is clear: competitive speeds, simple setup, no contracts, and often lower prices than cable.
How 5G Home Internet Works
Understanding the technology behind 5G home internet helps explain its strengths and limitations.
The Three Types of 5G
Not all 5G is created equal. Providers use three different spectrum bands, each with distinct characteristics:
| 5G Type | Spectrum | Speed Range | Range | Penetration | Primary Provider |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low-Band (n71) | 600 MHz | 30–100 Mbps | Miles | Excellent (through walls) | T-Mobile |
| Mid-Band / C-Band (n41, n77) | 2.5–3.7 GHz | 100–400 Mbps | 1–3 miles | Good | T-Mobile, Verizon |
| mmWave (n261, n260) | 24–39 GHz | 500–4,000 Mbps | 1,000–2,000 ft | Poor (line-of-sight needed) | Verizon |
The Gateway Device
Your 5G gateway is the bridge between the cellular tower and your home network. It contains:
- 5G modem: Connects to the nearest compatible 5G tower
- Wi-Fi router: Creates a Wi-Fi 6 network for your devices
- Ethernet ports: Usually 1–2 ports for wired connections (desktop, gaming console, smart TV)
- Internal antennas: MIMO (Multiple Input, Multiple Output) antennas for stronger signal reception
T-Mobile provides the Nokia or Arcadyan gateway, while Verizon uses the Wideband 5G Gateway (for mmWave) or the LTE/5G Home Router (for C-Band). Both gateways include built-in Wi-Fi 6 and require no additional router purchase.
Signal Path
Data travels from the internet backbone to the 5G tower (called a gNodeB), then wirelessly to your gateway using radio waves. The gateway demodulates the signal and distributes it to your devices via Wi-Fi or Ethernet. The return path works identically in reverse for uploads. This all happens at the speed of radio waves—essentially instantaneous for practical purposes.
5G Home Internet Providers Compared
Two major carriers dominate the 5G home internet market in 2026:
T-Mobile 5G Home Internet
- Price: $50/month (no contract required)
- Data cap: None—truly unlimited with no throttling
- Typical speeds: 72–245 Mbps download, 15–31 Mbps upload
- Equipment: Free 5G gateway included (no monthly rental fee)
- Contract: None—cancel anytime
- Availability: 50+ million households across all 50 states
- Discount: $30/month with Magenta MAX mobile plan
- Best for: Budget-conscious users, areas with limited cable competition
Check T-Mobile 5G availability or call (844) 839-5057.
Verizon 5G Home
- Price: $60/month ($35 with a qualifying Verizon mobile plan)
- Data cap: None—unlimited data
- Typical speeds: 85–300 Mbps (C-Band), 300–1,000+ Mbps (mmWave)
- Equipment: Free 5G gateway included
- Contract: None
- Availability: Expanding, primarily in urban and suburban areas
- Perks: Often includes streaming bundles (Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+ or Netflix)
- Best for: Verizon mobile customers, areas with mmWave coverage for maximum speed
Check Verizon 5G Home availability or call (855) 452-1505.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Feature | T-Mobile | Verizon |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Price | $50 | $60 ($35 with mobile bundle) |
| Avg. Download Speed | 150 Mbps | 200 Mbps (C-Band), 500+ Mbps (mmWave) |
| Avg. Upload Speed | 23 Mbps | 20–50 Mbps |
| Latency | 25–40 ms | 20–35 ms |
| Data Cap | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Contract | None | None |
| Coverage | Wider (mid-band + low-band) | Narrower (primarily C-Band, some mmWave) |
| Gateway Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6/6E |
Real-World 5G Speeds and Performance
Marketing materials promise impressive 5G speeds, but real-world performance varies significantly based on your location, distance from the tower, congestion, and which 5G band reaches your home.
What to Realistically Expect
Based on aggregated user reports and independent testing across the U.S. in 2026–2026:
- Mid-band 5G (most common): 100–300 Mbps download, 15–50 Mbps upload. Consistent enough for streaming 4K on multiple devices, video conferencing, and general household use.
- Low-band 5G: 30–100 Mbps download, 5–15 Mbps upload. Adequate for basic streaming, browsing, and light video calls. May struggle with multiple simultaneous 4K streams.
- mmWave 5G (Verizon only, limited areas): 500–2,000+ Mbps download, 50–200 Mbps upload. Exceptional speeds, but only available in dense urban areas with direct line of sight to the tower.
Factors That Affect Your Speed
- Distance from tower: Closer is better. Performance drops as you move farther from the 5G site.
- Obstructions: Trees, buildings, and hills between your home and the tower degrade signal. Interior placement of the gateway matters—near a window facing the tower is ideal.
- Network congestion: During peak hours (7–11 PM), speeds may decrease as more users share the tower's capacity. This is similar to cable internet congestion but can be more pronounced in dense areas.
- Weather: Heavy rain can slightly reduce speeds on mid-band and significantly impact mmWave.
- Gateway placement: The single biggest controllable factor. Moving your gateway even a few feet or to a different window can dramatically change speeds.
Latency (Ping)
5G home internet typically delivers latency of 20–50ms, which is higher than fiber (1–5ms) and comparable to cable (10–30ms). For most activities including video calling, streaming, and casual gaming, this latency is imperceptible. Competitive online gamers who need sub-10ms ping may prefer a wired connection. Check our speed types guide for more on how latency affects your experience.
Pros and Cons of 5G Home Internet
Advantages
- No contracts: Both T-Mobile and Verizon offer month-to-month service. Cancel anytime without penalty.
- Simple setup: Plug in the gateway, connect to Wi-Fi, done. No technician visit, no installation appointment, no waiting.
- Competitive pricing: $35–$60/month is often less than comparable cable speeds, especially when you factor in no equipment rental fees.
- Unlimited data: No data caps on either T-Mobile or Verizon's 5G home plans.
- No bundling pressure: Unlike cable providers, 5G carriers don't pressure you to bundle TV or phone service.
- Growing availability: Coverage expands monthly as carriers add tower sites and upgrade equipment.
- Competition effect: In markets with 5G home internet, cable providers have been forced to lower prices and improve service.
Disadvantages
- Speed variability: Wireless connections are inherently more variable than wired. Your speed at 2 PM may differ from 8 PM.
- Limited upload speeds: Upload speeds of 15–50 Mbps are lower than fiber (which offers symmetrical speeds). See our symmetrical vs. asymmetrical speeds guide for why this matters.
- Higher latency than fiber: 20–50ms vs. 1–5ms. Not ideal for competitive gaming or ultra-low-latency applications.
- Deprioritization: During severe network congestion, mobile phone users may receive priority over home internet users on the same tower.
- No static IP: 5G home internet uses dynamic IP addresses (via CGNAT), which complicates running home servers, VPNs, or certain smart home setups.
- Location dependent: Performance heavily depends on your proximity to a compatible tower and environmental factors.
- Limited Ethernet ports: Most gateways have only 1–2 Ethernet ports. You may need a switch for multiple wired devices.
5G vs. Cable vs. Fiber: How They Compare
Understanding how 5G stacks up against traditional broadband helps you decide if it's the right choice for your home.
| Feature | 5G Home Internet | Cable Internet | Fiber Internet |
|---|---|---|---|
| Download Speed | 100–300 Mbps (typical) | 200–1,200 Mbps | 300–5,000 Mbps |
| Upload Speed | 15–50 Mbps | 10–35 Mbps | 300–5,000 Mbps (symmetrical) |
| Latency | 20–50 ms | 10–30 ms | 1–5 ms |
| Monthly Cost | $35–$60 | $50–$100 | $50–$100 |
| Data Caps | None | Often (1.2 TB on Xfinity) | Rarely |
| Contract | None | Often 1–2 years | Varies |
| Installation | Self-install (minutes) | Technician (hours/days) | Technician (hours/days) |
| Equipment Fee | $0 | $10–$15/month | $0–$15/month |
| Reliability | Good (weather/congestion variable) | Very Good | Excellent |
| Best For | 1–3 person households, cord-cutters | Families, heavy downloaders | Power users, remote workers, gamers |
Bottom line: If fiber is available at your address, it's still the superior choice for speed, reliability, and symmetrical uploads. Call (855) 452-1829 for AT&T Fiber or (855) 452-1505 for Verizon Fios. If your only wired option is cable with data caps and contracts, 5G home internet is a compelling alternative—especially at its lower price point. Use our ZIP code lookup to compare all options at your address.
Who Should Consider 5G Home Internet
Ideal Candidates
- Rural and underserved areas: If your only wired options are slow DSL or satellite, 5G can be a massive upgrade
- Renters: No installation required, easy to move, no contract—perfect for temporary or short-term living situations
- Single-person or couple households: 100–300 Mbps easily handles 1–3 simultaneous streamers
- Budget-conscious consumers: $50/month with no hidden fees undercuts most cable plans
- Contract-averse users: Month-to-month flexibility with no early termination fees
- Secondary/backup connection: Excellent as a backup internet connection for failover
Not Ideal For
- Large families (5+ heavy users): Speed may not support 5+ simultaneous 4K streams and video calls
- Competitive gamers: Higher latency and potential jitter aren't ideal for fast-paced multiplayer games
- Content creators/streamers: Upload speeds of 15–50 Mbps limit live streaming quality and large file uploads
- Home server operators: CGNAT/dynamic IP makes hosting servers or using port forwarding difficult
- Areas with weak 5G signal: If the nearest tower is far away or obstructed, speeds may be disappointing
Setup and Equipment
Setting up 5G home internet is remarkably simple—typically under 15 minutes from unboxing to browsing.
Step-by-Step Setup
- Order service: Check availability online or by phone. T-Mobile: (844) 839-5057. Verizon: (855) 452-1505.
- Receive your gateway: Shipped free, typically arrives in 2–5 business days
- Find optimal placement: Place the gateway near a window, ideally on the side of your home facing the nearest cell tower. Higher floors typically get better signal.
- Power on: Plug in the gateway and wait 5–10 minutes for it to connect to the network and configure itself
- Connect devices: Use the companion app (T-Mobile Internet or My Verizon) to view your Wi-Fi name and password, then connect your devices
- Optimize placement: Use the signal indicator on the gateway or in the app to fine-tune placement. Even moving the gateway a few feet can significantly improve performance.
Tips for Best Performance
- Place the gateway near a window, elevated off the floor (on a shelf or table)
- Avoid placing it near large metal objects, microwaves, or other electronics that cause interference
- If your home is large, consider a separate mesh Wi-Fi system connected via Ethernet to the gateway for better whole-home coverage
- Use Ethernet for stationary devices (desktop, gaming console, smart TV) whenever possible for the most stable connection
- Run speed tests at different locations in your home to find the sweet spot for gateway placement
For help securing your 5G gateway's Wi-Fi network, see our Wi-Fi security guide.
5G Coverage and Availability
5G home internet availability depends entirely on whether your address falls within a compatible 5G coverage zone with sufficient tower capacity.
T-Mobile Coverage
T-Mobile has the widest 5G home internet footprint, leveraging its extensive mid-band (n41) and low-band (n71) spectrum. Service is available in parts of all 50 states, covering over 50 million households. T-Mobile's mid-band network, built largely on Sprint's former 2.5 GHz spectrum, provides the backbone of their home internet service. Check T-Mobile coverage or call (844) 839-5057.
Verizon Coverage
Verizon's 5G Home is available in an expanding list of cities and surrounding areas, primarily using C-Band (3.7 GHz) spectrum acquired in the 2021 FCC auction. mmWave coverage (the ultra-fast tier) is limited to dense urban cores in about 70 cities. Check Verizon 5G Home availability or call (855) 452-1505.
How 5G Compares to Cable Availability
While cable providers like Xfinity ((855) 389-1498) and Spectrum ((855) 771-1328) have extensive wired infrastructure, 5G home internet can reach areas where cable lines were never built. This makes 5G particularly valuable in newer housing developments, rural communities, and areas underserved by traditional wired broadband. AT&T ((855) 452-1829) also offers both fiber and fixed wireless in different markets.
Checking Your Address
Both providers require an address check before signing up because 5G home internet capacity is limited per tower. Even if your area has 5G coverage for phones, home internet may not be available at your specific address if the nearest tower is at capacity. The most reliable way to check is entering your full address on the provider's website or calling their dedicated home internet line.
The Future of 5G Home Internet
5G home internet is still in its growth phase, and several developments will shape its future:
- Speed improvements: As carriers deploy more mid-band spectrum and upgrade tower equipment, average speeds will continue climbing. Carrier aggregation (combining multiple 5G bands simultaneously) is already boosting peak speeds past 1 Gbps in some areas.
- Expanded coverage: Both T-Mobile and Verizon are aggressively building new tower sites, with a focus on suburban and rural expansion. By 2028, 5G home internet is expected to reach 75+ million households.
- Lower latency: Upcoming 5G network upgrades (standalone 5G, network slicing) will reduce latency toward the 10–15ms range, making 5G more competitive with wired connections for gaming.
- More competition: Additional providers may enter the market. Regional carriers and new MVNOs are exploring 5G fixed wireless offerings.
- Wi-Fi 7 gateways: Next-generation gateway devices with Wi-Fi 7 will better distribute 5G speeds throughout larger homes.
- Convergence with cable: Some cable operators are offering their own 5G-powered home internet products, blurring the line between wired and wireless broadband.
The bottom line: 5G home internet is already a viable broadband option for millions of Americans, and it will only get better. If you're in a coverage area with good signal, it's worth trying—especially since there's no contract to lock you in.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 5G home internet as fast as cable?
In many areas, yes. Mid-band 5G typically delivers 100–300 Mbps, which matches or exceeds many cable plans. However, cable's highest tiers (1–2 Gbps) still outpace most 5G connections. For the average household, the speed difference is negligible for everyday tasks like streaming, browsing, and video calls.
Does 5G home internet have data caps?
No. Both T-Mobile and Verizon's 5G home internet plans offer truly unlimited data with no overage charges or throttling based on usage. This is a significant advantage over cable providers like Xfinity, which imposes a 1.2 TB monthly cap in most markets.
Can I use my own router with 5G home internet?
The 5G gateway provided by T-Mobile and Verizon includes a built-in Wi-Fi 6 router, and you must use their gateway for the 5G connection. However, you can connect your own router to the gateway's Ethernet port and use it as your primary Wi-Fi access point, setting the gateway's Wi-Fi to disabled. This is recommended if you have a mesh system or high-end router for better whole-home coverage.
Is 5G home internet good for gaming?
For casual and most online gaming, 5G home internet works well. Latency of 20–50ms is acceptable for most games. However, competitive gamers in fast-twitch games (like competitive shooters or fighting games) may notice the higher latency compared to fiber (1–5ms) or cable (10–30ms). Download speeds are more than sufficient for game updates and downloads.
Can I take my 5G gateway with me if I move?
The gateway is tied to your registered address, and you must update your address with the carrier if you move. T-Mobile allows you to easily change your service address online or by calling (844) 839-5057. However, availability at your new address isn't guaranteed—you'll need to verify 5G home internet coverage at the new location. If service isn't available, you can cancel without penalty.
Does weather affect 5G home internet?
Light to moderate weather has minimal impact on mid-band and low-band 5G signals. Heavy rain can cause slight speed reductions (a phenomenon called "rain fade"), especially on higher-frequency bands. mmWave 5G is more weather-sensitive due to its shorter wavelengths. Overall, 5G is far more weather-resistant than satellite internet, and most users won't notice weather-related performance changes.
How many devices can connect to a 5G home internet gateway?
Both T-Mobile and Verizon gateways support 30–64 simultaneous Wi-Fi connections, which is more than enough for even a heavily connected smart home. The limiting factor is typically the total bandwidth of the 5G connection, not the number of devices. A 200 Mbps connection shared among 10 active devices gives each device an average of 20 Mbps—still plenty for streaming and browsing.
Is 5G radiation harmful?
No. 5G uses non-ionizing radio waves, the same type of radiation used by Wi-Fi, FM radio, and previous cellular generations (4G, 3G). Extensive research by the WHO, FCC, and international health organizations has found no evidence that 5G frequencies pose health risks at the power levels used by consumer devices and cell towers.
Call to Order
Disclosure: Some of the links and phone numbers on this page are from our advertising partners, including T-Mobile and Verizon. We may receive compensation when you click on links or call the numbers provided, but this does not influence our editorial content or recommendations. Our goal is to provide accurate, unbiased information to help you decide if 5G home internet is right for your household. Pricing, speeds, and availability are subject to change. Please verify details directly with the provider. Last updated: February 2026.
Sources & Methodology
This guide is based on data from FCC broadband filings, Ookla speed test measurements, U.S. Census Bureau broadband adoption statistics, and verified provider plan details. Pricing, speeds, and availability are verified against provider broadband nutrition labels and may vary by location. For a detailed explanation of our data collection and scoring process, see our methodology page.
Data Sources
- FCC Broadband Data Collection
- U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey
- USAC Universal Service Fund
- NTIA Internet Use Survey
- Ookla Speedtest Intelligence
Last verified: March 2026. InternetProviders.ai is an independent resource. We may earn commissions from partner links — this does not affect our editorial recommendations. See our methodology for details.