What is 5G Home Internet? Here’s Everything You Need to Know
Tired of slow, costly, or unreliable internet service? You’re not alone. Internet service providers (ISPs) ranked poorly in customer satisfaction in the US last year. Most people get their internet through cable, with few options available. But with mobile carriers launching fast, low-latency 5G networks, the situation is changing.
For some, 5G home internet could be a good alternative to traditional broadband. Carriers are beginning to offer 5G home internet packages to recover the costs of their upgraded networks, potentially bringing some real competition to ISPs. If you’re curious about what 5G home internet is, how it compares to broadband, and whether it might suit your needs, we have all the information you need.
5G is the fifth generation of global wireless standards. Mobile carriers have been deploying these advanced cellular networks over the past few years. Compared to the previous generation (4G), 5G utilizes unused radio frequencies at the higher end of the spectrum. Simply put, 5G is faster, has lower latency, and can support more connected devices. For a deeper dive, you can read our detailed guide to 5G.
What Is 5G Home Internet?
5G home internet is a new alternative to traditional broadband. Instead of using cables to bring the internet into your home, 5G home internet connects wirelessly to the 5G cellular network using a fixed receiver inside or outside your house. You will use a SIM card and have a service contract, similar to your mobile phone. A modem and router are still needed to convert the 5G signal into Wi-Fi to distribute it throughout your home.
What About 4G Home Internet?
Some carriers already offer 4G LTE home internet, and some provide a combination of 4G and 5G services. Both require a receiver to connect to the network, but 5G offers faster speeds and lower latency. While theoretical 5G speeds can exceed 10 Gbps with 1 millisecond of latency, real-world performance is typically around 1 Gbps, which is still competitive with traditional broadband. On the other hand, 4G LTE usually maxes out at 100 Mbps and often delivers lower speeds in practice.
Is 5G Home Internet Better Than Broadband?
The short answer is no, but it depends on your situation. If you have fiber optic cable to your house, you can enjoy extremely fast wired internet. However, if you rely on copper cable, your internet speed will be limited by the distance from the exchange and the demand in your area.
Some people don’t have access to a cable connection, and remote areas often lack strong 5G coverage. However, if you have good 5G coverage in your area and your current internet service is poor or expensive, 5G home internet might be a better choice. It offers a viable alternative, especially in areas where traditional broadband services are lacking or underperforming.
What Are the Advantages of 5G Home Internet?
5G home internet offers several advantages over wired broadband:
Easy Installation: Without the need for a physical cable, setting up 5G home internet is usually much simpler. You can likely do it yourself without needing an engineer visit.
Fast Speeds: If you have good 5G coverage in your area, you can enjoy fast internet speeds, often much faster than what old copper cables can provide.
Potential Cost Savings: 5G home internet might be cheaper than wired internet. Some carriers offer discounts and incentives for adding 5G home internet to your existing mobile plan.
What Are the Disadvantages?
While 5G home internet has its benefits, there are also some potential drawbacks:
Limited Coverage: 5G coverage is currently best in cities. If you don’t have good 5G coverage in your area, 5G home internet won’t be suitable for you.
Line of Sight Requirement: For the best performance, you’ll need a receiver with a clear line of sight to a 5G cell site or tower. This may involve attaching an antenna to the outside of your home, as 5G signals can struggle to penetrate walls and are prone to interference.
Network Congestion: As more people adopt 5G and networks expand, your 5G home internet service may be impacted. Increased network traffic could lead to slower speeds or interruptions.
Can I Get 5G Home Internet?
Whether you can get 5G home internet depends on your location and the 5G coverage in your area. Coverage maps, like the one from nPerf, let you check 5G availability and download speeds by carrier. Most carriers also provide coverage maps on their websites. Currently, 5G home internet service is mostly available in specific areas, primarily big cities. To find out if 5G home internet is available to you, check these maps and consult your preferred carrier.
Who Offers 5G Home Internet in Canada?
Several carriers offer 5G home internet service. However, it’s important to read the small print, as most carriers provide a mix of 4G LTE and 5G. You can often get the best deals from carriers where you already have multiple services. If you already have cell service with a carrier, they might offer you a discount on 5G home internet. To find the best option, check with your current carrier and compare their offers with those from other providers.
5g Home Internet Service providers in Canada
CanadianSIM Home Internet:
We use the Rogers network, which means you’ll have access to Rogers’ 5G coverage.
It’s a plug-and-play service
Plans start at $55 per month, $0 Setup fee
Comes with 500 GB data, 100 Mbps download, 10 Mbps upload, reduced speed thereafter
Apply – 5g home internet canada
5g Home Internet Service providers in USA
T-Mobile 5G Home Internet
US Cellular Home Internet
5g Home Internet Service providers in UK
EE 4G and 5G Mobile Broadband
Three 4G and 5G Home Broadband
Vodafone 5G and 4G Broadband
Is 5G Home Internet Expensive?
5G home internet prices are generally comparable to wired internet services and might even be cheaper for some people. Plans can start as low as $15 a month (like Starry), but most range between $30 and $80 a month, depending on the speed and service level you choose. Many carriers provide discounts for existing customers and other incentives to attract new users. Often, 5G home internet services come with benefits such as unlimited data, no fixed contracts, and no equipment fees. However, it’s important to understand all the conditions before signing up to ensure there are no surprises.
