Internet service providers are a constant source of stress to consumers and, notoriously, one of the lowest-rated industries in the country. ISPs rank lower than social media, the US postal service and even airlines. It’s no secret why: Wading through the hidden fees, yearly price hikes, contracts, service details and different speeds can make for a very frustrating experience.
Plus, considering how difficult it is to find a good internet provider at one’s address, we can often feel like we have hardly any options. Could 5G be the answer?
The technology powering the latest phones is tackling our household broadband needs. The earliest 5G home internet plans — available from names like AT&T Internet Air, Starry, Verizon and T-Mobile — offer respectable speeds at straightforward prices. However, availability is limited to select cities and regions. CNET has reviewed all the major 5G services and we’ve got the details on how they work, how fast 5G gets, what it costs and where it’s available. Read on to see if a 5G connection may benefit you.
So, what is 5G home internet?
Simply put, 5G stands for the fifth generation. The fifth generation of what? The fifth generation of wireless data networks. You’re probably most familiar with hearing 5G used to describe better mobile communications and speedier phones. You’re not wrong: 5G networks, which use different radio frequencies than previous generations, aim to provide faster data speeds with much less lag or delay than we had with 4G. However, while 5G cellular service might be available on your phone, 5G home internet is not as widely available.
My CNET colleague Eli Blumenthal does a great job of breaking down the basics of 5G. Millimeter-wave technology uses higher frequencies than previous generations, providing faster speeds and connections. Those higher, gigabit speeds come with a price: the data doesn’t travel the same distance as 4G and has more trouble with obstructions. To combat that, midband technology, which offers speeds averaging between 300 and 400 megabits per second, increases the coverage area provided by millimeter-wave. Finally, low-band 5G offers a range similar to 4G but speeds between 100 and 200Mbps.
Is 5G home internet the same as 5GHz?
Nope. One common mistake is to see the “5GHz” setting on your Wi-Fi router and assume you have access to 5G. Wi-Fi routers also use short-range radio frequencies (typically either 2.4GHz or 5GHz) to transmit your internet signal to connected devices within your home. 5GHz might be one of the band options for your home’s Wi-Fi system, but it’s not the same as 5G, which is a cellular technology that uses higher-frequency waves.
Cable, DSL and fiber internet plans require wires connecting your home to the provider’s grid. Fixed wireless services, like 5G, connect your home to a provider’s network over the air.
How is 5G home internet different?
Most ISPs deliver internet service via phone lines or cables connecting your home to a more extensive network. That includes common internet connection types like digital subscriber lines or DSL, coaxial cable and fiber-optic internet. Those are all wired connections from your provider to your home.
5G home internet, on the other hand, is a fixed wireless internet service, which means that the connection between your provider and your home is not wired. With 5G, you will need an indoor or outdoor 5G receiver at your house to pick up the signal. It’s similar to satellite internet, but instead of beaming in a signal from satellites orbiting in the night sky, it’s relaying information from a much closer wireless hub. Although you’re using the same 5G network as your mobile phone, the gateway is specific to your location and cannot be used elsewhere.
What providers offer 5G home internet?
5G is still being deployed across the country. Therefore, the number of providers offering any 5G home internet plan is relatively limited. Your main options for 5G home internet are AT&T Internet Air, Starry, T-Mobile and Verizon. All prices listed on this page reflect available discounts for setting up paperless billing. If you decide not to go with automatic monthly payments, your monthly bill will be higher. Now, let’s explore what each offers.
Price range $60 per monthSpeed range 75-225MbpsConnection Fixed WirelessKey Info Equipment included, no contracts, no overage fees
AT&T Internet Air uses AT&T’s 5G wireless network and features download speeds between 75 and 225Mbps. It bypasses the need for a receiver and direct line of sight to a cell tower. The setup process is as simple as plugging in your Internet Air router, setting up the Wi-Fi network and figuring out the best location in your home.
In addition, AT&T Internet features latency between 30 to 60ms, putting it in league with the likes of T-Mobile Home Internet, Starry and Verizon’s 5G Home Internet. The straightforward pricing (just one plan for $60 or $47 when bundled with an eligible AT&T wireless plan), terms of service and decent speeds make Internet Air a reliable option for many customers with access to it. The Internet Air router is included in your monthly cost; no professional installation is required. AT&T offers mesh Wi-Fi extenders for an additional $10 monthly for improved connection. There are no overage fees, data caps or contracts. Read our picks for the best Wi-Fi extenders available in the market right now.
What AT&T Internet Air lacks, however, is the same availability as its competitors. Although it’s available across 48 states, many of those locations boast equal availability for AT&T’s fiber internet option, which outpaces fixed wireless in terms of fast, reliable speeds and cost per Mbps.
Read our AT&T Internet Air review.
AT&T Internet Air plans and pricing
| Plan | Monthly price | Max speeds | Fees and service details | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T Internet Air Read full review |
$60 ($47 with an eligible AT&T wireless plan) | 75-225Mbps down, 10-30Mbps up | No equipment fees, overage fees or contracts |
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Price range $30 – $80 per monthSpeed range 50 – 1,000MbpsConnection Fixed wirelessKey Info Unlimited data, no contracts, no equipment fees, simple setup
Starry started in 2016 but does not lean into the 5G connection. It does not use 5G NR radio technology, which is a focus of mobile providers. Still, it does use millimeter-wave technology as a critical aspect of delivering fixed wireless home internet to customers. “We operate in 24GHz and 37GHz spectrum bands, and our network technology is the same across all our markets,” a Starry spokesperson said.
The monthly price includes unlimited data, free equipment and installation and no contracts. It’s also the only 5G home internet provider listed here that features symmetrical or near-symmetrical download and upload speeds similar to those found with fiber internet service.
Lastly, Starry also offers a “30-Day Happy Interneting Guarantee” with a full refund if you aren’t satisfied with the service and cancel within the first 30 days.
Starry is focused on five markets: Boston, Denver, Los Angeles, New York and Washington, DC.
Read our Starry Internet review.
