Reliable home internet is becoming a necessity since it’s more common to work from home and utilize remote learning for students. But, if your current internet service doesn’t meet your needs, you might want to switch to wireless 5G home internet.
Technology is rapidly changing, and the traditional high-speed internet may not be able to keep up. Plus, by opting for 5G, you might be able to get internet at a lower price.
Here is a closer look at how to get 5G home internet that’s fast, reliable and affordable.
What is 5G Home Internet?
5G home internet is the latest wireless technology available to homes across the United States. It is the successor to 4G LTE for wireless home internet and smartphone data plans.
This service is similar to a mobile hotspot since you don’t need a physical internet line to feed into your residence.
However, unlike hotspots, you won’t use up your cell phone data allowance. Instead, you get a dedicated router to connect your home devices, including laptops and smart devices.
In fact, you may decide to connect your 5G-ready phone to your home internet WiFi. This will let you enjoy similar speeds without consuming your phone data at home.
How Does 5G Home Internet Work?
After signing up for a home internet plan, you can place a wireless router in your home. This broadcasts the 5G signal from nearby cell towers to produce a WiFi hotspot.
For example, if you enroll in T-Mobile Home Internet, your home internet router uses the same 5G signal as a compatible cell phone.
Additionally, you can have an internet-only plan if your phone plan is with a different carrier. With this option, you’ll still pay an affordable price of $50 per month.
Some of the key features of this internet service include:
- Available nationwide in many states and cities
- Download speeds from 33 to 182 Mbps
- Upload speeds from six to 23 Mbps
- Can self-install within 15 minutes
- Can wirelessly connect to multiple devices
- 15-day risk-free trial period
Get a $50 Virtual Prepaid Mastercard when you sign up for T-Mobile Home Internet – that’s good for one month of service. Limited-time offer; T&C’s apply.
You can set up the internet service yourself. This means that you won’t need to schedule an installation appointment or wait for a technician to run a connection cable from the street to your router.
Better yet, the setup process doesn’t require drilling any holes into your exterior or interior walls.
As wireless internet technology has evolved, your connection speeds and service reliability can be better than wired home internet plans.
However, the precise 5G fixed wireless speeds depend on your coverage area and signal strength. That said, even the slowest speeds can be sufficient for streaming and zooming on several devices simultaneously.
5G Home Internet vs. Other Options
How does 5G home internet compare to the other high-speed internet options? Here is a head-to-head comparison between the leading alternatives.
5G vs. 5GHz
Your current WiFi gateway may offer a “5G WiFi” option. However, this isn’t the same as 5G home internet. Instead, it’s actually 5GHz.
You can access this technology whether you use wireless or wired home internet.
5G derives its name from being the fifth generation of wireless internet. 5GHz signifies the frequency band for the speed between the router and the connected devices.
The 5G gateway device that T-Mobile provides home internet customers offers WiFi 6 technology. This lets it broadcast 5GHz signal strength.
5GHz is faster than the more prevalent 2.4GHz, but it has a smaller coverage area. Most new routers offer both bands to optimize home internet speeds and prevent lag.
If you have a dual-band modem that offers both network speeds, you will connect your low-bandwidth devices like laptops and phones to the 2.4GHz channel. Smart TVs and gaming devices will connect to the 5GHz network as they require more bandwidth.
A 5GHz router can provide download speeds up to 1,300 Mbps. Nevertheless, the actual rates are only as fast as your internet package or your provider’s maximum data speed.
For example, that may actually be 10, 50, 100 or 200 Mbps download speeds.
5G vs. Fiber
Fiber optic internet is the quickest wired internet option and can be significantly faster than 5G.
For comparison, current 5G speeds can be as fast as 182 Mbps for download and 23 Mbps for uploads. While that’s quick, fiber can reach up to two Gbps for downloads and one GB for uploads.
This means that you’re less likely to worry about slow internet speeds.
However, fiber internet can have more expensive monthly fees and requires a wired connection. These providers are also more likely to require a contract.
Furthermore, you may live in a high-density area where it’s more cost-effective for internet service providers to install fiber.
On the other hand, 5G is becoming widely available in areas with cell phone coverage. As a result, 5G home internet is more likely to be offered in rural communities.
In addition, 5G networks can be easier to maintain than fiber networks. This is because fiber networks have miles of glass cables that are subject to inclement weather.
5G vs. Cable
Cable internet can also be quite fast, with download speeds ranging from 50 Mbps to one Gbps. Plus, it has upload speeds of up to 50 Mbps, although most providers limit it to 35 Mbps.
When it comes to how much cable internet costs, the 2022 FCC Urban Rate Survey had some interesting findings. While the average cable plan download speed is approximately 400 Mbps, it costs around $83 per month.
To save money, you can receive fast service with 5G home internet and only pay $50 monthly. This is a 40% savings.
Ultimately, cable internet can be quicker than 5G. However, it’s a wired connection requiring professional installation. Beyond that, weather can reduce speeds.
You may also need to sign a contract and subscribe to cable TV to get the lowest price.
Additionally, cable internet availability also isn’t guaranteed if you live in a rural area. The reason for this is that outdated DSL service could be more affordable for your provider.
You may also only have one cable internet provider for your neighborhood. This makes it harder to get a good price.
Steps to Get 5G Home Internet
You can follow these four easy steps to get 5G internet in your home.
1. Determine Availability in Your Area
First, you need to verify that you live within a 5G coverage area. While 5G availability is expanding rapidly, it’s not in every community yet.
Thankfully, you can receive this rapidly-fast wireless technology in most major and mid-size cities across the country. Rural areas are also likely to have coverage.
Some providers, like T-Mobile, let you see if coverage is available in your area. This can be particularly helpful as you determine whether or not you can bring 5G internet into your home.
If 5G isn’t available yet, you can ask your preferred provider when they estimate service might be available. Until then, you may consider going with 4G LTE home internet that can eventually upgrade to 5G when it’s available in your area.
2. Research Providers
Unlike fixed internet, where you may only have one or two provider options, you might have several 5G home internet providers.
As you compare internet service providers, consider the following:
- Monthly cost: What are the monthly fees? Are there ways to reduce the price?
- Contract requirements: Is there a contract? If so, what is the cancellation policy?
- Data caps: Are there any daily or monthly data caps before being throttled?
- Equipment: You should receive a WiFi 6 home gateway free of charge.
- Trial period: Is there a trial period to see if 5G home internet satisfies your needs?
You may consider T-Mobile Home Internet since it has one of the nation’s most extensive coverage areas. It even offers contract-free plans with no data caps.
Their 5G internet plans cost $50 per month with autopay. However, T-Mobile Magenta MAX family plan customers only pay $30 monthly for 5G home internet.
Currently, you receive the best 5G speeds available for your home address. Plus, the carrier doesn’t have tiered speed packages.
There is a 15-day trial period to test your new internet. What’s more, T-Mobile will even reimburse you up to $500 in termination fees from your current provider if you switch.
T-Mobile customers get to enjoy discounts on streaming services that they may already be paying full price for. The provider also offers complimentary weekly perks through its T-Mobile Tuesdays program.
3. Choose a Provider
After making your final choice, it’s time to request service. Signing up online can be the quickest and most convenient option. It’s also possible to enroll by calling the toll-free sales number.
You can prefill some of the profile details if you’re already a cellular customer. It’s also possible to automatically qualify for a discount with an eligible cell phone plan.
If you’re a new customer, the provider verifies that your home address is within the coverage area. Then, you provide a payment method to purchase the service.
4. Set Up Equipment
You will receive your equipment by mail within several business days. Better yet, you won’t have to schedule an installation appointment.
It’s possible to access your new home internet service in as little as 15 minutes. All you have to do is follow the setup instructions.
Consider placing the device in a central location in your house so that it’s accessible to most devices. Since the router is portable, you can move it into different rooms to find the ideal location.
Your internet gateway will be a dual-band router with 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands. This will help you avoid slow connection speeds on multiple devices.
Connect low-bandwidth devices that you use for casual web surfing or emails to the 2.4GHz band. Bandwidth hogs, including your smart TVs and gaming consoles, can connect to the 5GHz network.
This strategy can help you avoid slowing down the browsing experience on your phones and tablets.
If you decide to move, you can easily bring your equipment with you penalty-free. Keep in mind that your new address must be eligible for service.
FAQs
Do you still have questions about 5G home internet? These answers might be helpful.
5G home internet is ideal if you prefer a wireless connection. It’s also great if you want to avoid the contracts and higher prices that come with fiber or cable services.
Another potential benefit of 5G wireless internet is potentially faster speeds than wired internet in rural and underdeveloped areas. This service uses the same wireless waves as 5G-enabled smartphones and requires less special equipment.
The price varies by provider. T-Mobile Home Internet has a flat fee of $50 per month for unlimited data. The monthly cost drops to $30 for Magenta MAX phone plan subscribers.
To put this price into perspective, cable and fiber services normally cost from $50 to $120 per month. You will pay the lowest price during the introductory period. However, the standard price can be up to $30 more per month after the promotion ends.
The G in 5G indicates the generation of wireless internet technology. It doesn’t signify the actual download or upload speed. For example, 5G means fifth generation, and 4G means fourth generation.
Carriers began rolling out 5G to the general public a few years ago. It’s currently the fastest wireless technology available. In fact, it can be up to 100 times faster than its predecessor, 4G LTE.
You can anticipate download speeds between 33 and 182 Mbps and upload speeds from six to 23 Mbps with 5G home internet. Your precise speed primarily depends on your home address.
It’s important to note that 5G technology is currently in its infancy. As a result, it’s likely that the average speed will improve in the near future. Some reports indicate that download speeds can exceed one Gbps, which rivals fiber internet.
Summary
5G is an exciting technology that is not just for smartphones. You can enjoy cutting-edge speeds and wireless convenience inside your home at an affordable price of $50 or less.
If you’re tired of the high prices and annoying contracts that traditional internet service providers require, T-Mobile 5G Home Internet can be a breath of fresh air. You can receive reliable service that’s easy to set up and doesn’t involve hidden fees or contracts.
This is a sponsored post by T-Mobile. We only partner with brands that have a good reputation and that we believe are helpful to our readers.
