Best 5G home internet providers of 2024
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Best in availability & customer satisfaction
Prices from
$60.00
per month
Speeds up to
245
Mbps
Price after $5/mo Autopay & Paperless bill discount (w/in 2 bills). Monthly State Cost Recovery Charge in TX, OH, NV applies. One time install charge may apply.
Best for bundling & fast download speeds
Prices from
$50
per month
Speeds up to
1,000
Mbps
Good for unlimited data & no contracts
Prices from
$55.00
per month
Speeds up to
5,000
Mbps
Price after $5/mo Autopay & Paperless bill discount (w/in 2 bills). Monthly State Cost Recovery Charge in TX, OH, NV applies. One time install charge may apply.
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Allconnect’s team of broadband experts regularly reviews the top internet service providers in the U.S., scrutinizing each company under a rigorous scoring system to help our readers make informed internet purchases. We keep our data points accurate and up to date based on thorough research and partnership communications. Our content is not directed by partners. Visit our full methodology page and advertising disclosure to learn more.
5G home internet offers fast speeds of up to 1,000 Mbps, much faster than previous generations of cell technology and even some types of traditional wired internet services. Find 5G home internet near you by entering your address on this page.
What is 5G home internet?
5G internet service is a type of internet connection that delivers high-speed internet using cell signals. Because no wired lines are necessary, 5G home internet is a quick-install alternative internet connection to cable, fiber and satellite.
Cellular networks have progressed throughout several iterations to provide more bandwidth and availability. Now on its fifth generation (5G), cellular signal strength is now widely available in cities, as well as suburban and rural communities.
Best 5G home internet providers
Internet service providers (ISPs) offering 5G home internet include Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T and Starry, with prices starting at $30/mo.
- T-Mobile 5G Home Internet: Best in availability and customer satisfaction
- Verizon 5G Home Internet: Best for bundling and fast download speeds
- Starry Internet: Best upload speeds
- AT&T Internet AirTM: Good for unlimited data and no contracts
Compare 5G internet providers and near you
The following table includes detailed information about the speeds, cost, fees and data caps of popular 5G home internet providers and plans.
Provider | Starting cost* | Download/upload speed (up to) | Data limit | Availability |
---|---|---|---|---|
T-Mobile 5G | $60/mo. | 72–245 Mbps/32 Mbps | None | 50 states |
Verizon 5G | $60/mo. | 300–1,000 Mbps/10–50 Mbps | None | 34 states |
Starry Internet | $30/mo. | 200–1,000 Mbps/50–500 Mbps | None | 4 states and Washington, D.C. |
AT&T Internet AirTM | $60/mo. | 70–225 Mbps/30 Mbps | None | 30 states |
Methodology
We rated the largest internet providers in the U.S. for 2024. Each provider was rated on a scale of 1 to 5 based on over a dozen factors, including speed, cost, availability, fees, customer satisfaction, connection type and more. We also used data from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to compare the average speed offered by internet companies in the U.S. to set a baseline for what is considered a good internet speed. Additionally, we analyzed data from the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) to understand how each internet service provider (ISP) fares in customer service and perceived value.
If you’re interested in 5G internet services for your home, read the following comprehensive reviews about the top 5G home internet providers to simplify your search.
T-Mobile 5G
Overall score: 3.6 out of 5.
T-Mobile has the largest 5G network, spanning all 50 states. Not only is T-Mobile 5G best in availability among 5G internet providers, it also consistently ranks well in customer satisfaction among non-fiber internet providers, according to ACSI scores.
Download speeds are up to 245 Mbps, and upload speeds are generally 32 Mbps or less. However, densely populated areas are more likely to have faster high-band 5G service, while rural areas typically have slower but further-reaching low-band 5G.
Equipment is included in the $60/mo. price, so there are no surprises on your monthly internet bill, but there is a one-time $35 device connection fee. You can get $10–20 off your monthly 5G home internet service when you bundle with a qualifying T-Mobile voice plan.
Pros
Coverage area spans all 50 states.
Up to $20/mo. discount when bundled with mobile service.
Great customer service rating.
Cons
Internet service quality can vary depending on location.
No gigabit speeds available.
Read the full T-Mobile review.
Verizon 5G
Overall score: 4.5 out of 5.
Verizon 5G stands out among other 5G home internet providers for having the best bundle discounts and fastest available download speeds. Verizon 5G is the second biggest 5G network, available in 34 states. Most of the coverage is along the East Coast, Midwest and California. Like T-Mobile, Verizon 5G home internet has unlimited data, no contracts and all-inclusive fees.
The standalone price is $50/mo. for Verizon 5G Home or $70/mo. for 5G Home Plus when you include the $10/mo. autopay and paperless billing discount. Both plans offer free installation, but the higher tier plan also has faster 5G internet speeds, a free Wi-Fi extender, Verizon Cloud Unlimited and a 3-year price guarantee (vs. a 2-year guarantee with the standard plan). An additional $15 to $25 internet discount is applied when you bundle with a qualifying Verizon voice plan.
Pros
Download speeds are up to 1,000 Mbps.
Up to $25/mo. discount when bundled with mobile service.
Unlimited data.
Cons
Faster speeds come at a premium price.
Speeds may vary based on network congestion.
Read the full Verizon 5G review.
Starry Internet
Overall score: 3.8 out of 5.
Starry Internet is a fast 5G home internet service that can be a good alternative if you want to avoid big internet conglomerates. Currently, the provider only operates in Boston, Denver, Los Angeles, New York, San Antonio and Washington, D.C., but is expanding to over 20 other markets.
Starry has five plan tiers ranging from $30–$75/mo. with download and upload speeds of 100–1,000 Mbps and 50–500 Mbps, respectively. These upload speeds are significantly faster than most other 5G providers, so if you regularly upload large files, photos or video, Starry Internet is an ideal choice.
As with other 5G home internet providers, Starry provides unlimited data, free equipment and no contracts. Starry’s one-year price guarantee is shorter than the other 5G internet providers on our list, but that doesn’t necessarily mean your rate will increase after 12 months.
Pros
Offers with five different price and speed tiers.
Cheap internet deals available.
Cons
Only available in six cities.
Often only accessible in multi-dwelling units.
Read the full Starry Internet review.
AT&T Internet Air
Overall score: 3.6 out of 5.
AT&T Internet Air costs $60/mo., but AT&T phone customers can bundle and save up to $13/mo. with autopay and paperless billing. AT&T Internet Air is a good option for those looking for plan flexibility since the 5G plans do not have data caps or contracts.
AT&T’s 5G home internet is available in 30 states, including major markets such as Chicago, Detroit, Los Angeles, Philadelphia and Phoenix. AT&T offers 5G internet speeds up to 225 Mbps, with upload speeds up to 25 Mbps. One caveat is that AT&T Internet Air’s disclaimer mentions that LTE coverage will be used when 5G is not available, a slower internet service.
Pros
No contracts, equipment costs or installation fees.
Save 20% on internet when you add AT&T wireless service.
Cons
May experience slower speeds in LTE-covered areas.
AT&T may throttle speeds when the network is busy.
Read the full AT&T review.
Which 5G internet service is right for you?
While cable, fiber and DSL providers do not typically compete within the same market, there is often more than one 5G home internet option in a given area. This means it’s even more crucial to compare and contrast the competing 5G providers in order to choose the service that is the best fit for your internet needs.
Consider the following details when choosing the best 5G home internet provider.
- Best bundles: If you currently have a phone plan (or want to get one) with your 5G provider, consider T-Mobile 5G, Verizon 5G or AT&T Internet Air for the best bundle deals with internet.
- Faster speeds: If you need download speeds of up to 1,000 Mbps or upload speeds of up to 50 Mbps, Verizon 5G or Starry Internet are your best choices. Faster 5G internet speeds should provide a better experience if you are gaming, streaming or connecting up to 10 devices at once.
- Money-back guarantees: If you want to try 5G service with less financial risk, T-Mobile has a 15-day money-back guarantee, and Verizon 5G and Starry Internet have a 30-day money-back guarantee. Remember that all 5G service providers require you to return the free equipment if you end your service. Not returning the modem and router will incur a $200–$300 charge, depending on the provider.
- Fast installation: T-Mobile and Verizon both provide free two-day shipping and free self-installation, making these the quickest 5G setup options if you need internet as soon as possible.
Finally, having optimal 5G internet services can also depend on your location to the provider’s nearest cell tower. If you are experiencing slow speeds or excessive buffering and lag with your 5G home internet, try moving your gateway to a better location. Having your gateway near a window and away from an interior wall should increase the quality of your connection.
What makes 5G home internet different?
Vast availability, consistent pricing and unlimited data set 5G home internet apart from other internet connections like cable, fiber and satellite. 5G also has low latency, meaning data is transmitted very quickly, making this internet connection great for streaming, gaming and working from home.
However, 5G is a shared connection, so internet speeds can slow down when 5G networks are busy. Even though 5G home internet uses cell towers, it is not an on-the-go service. Your 5G home Wi-Fi plan will only work at your residence, and you will transfer service to a new address if you move.
Here are a few other key details about 5G home internet service:
- Fast speeds: In peak conditions, 5G is capable of speeds up to 20,000 Mbps or 20 GB, much quicker than the fastest wired residential internet service currently available, around 8 GB. However, 5G is a shared connection since local cell towers transmit the internet signal to everyone in the range of the network. Therefore, the previously mentioned 20 GB is divided among all the connected 5G devices. The result is that an individual device generally gets speeds of 100–150 Mbps.
- Highly regulated: 5G internet uses radio spectrum to transmit data. Spectrum is critical to privacy, security and the economy’s growth. Because of this, spectrum is regulated and allocated for government and commercial use by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). As such, 5G spectrum is a limited resource, and the service is divided among the number of subscribers.
- Different bands available: 5G is available as low-, medium- and high-band spectrum. Bands refer to the different distance ranges the signal can reach from the tower. Low-band 5G covers a broader area with slower speeds, and high-band has faster speeds but a condensed coverage radius. Therefore, the 5G you get in cities versus the 5G you get in rural areas can be vastly different experiences. Still, by using cellular networks instead of wired infrastructure, 5G can bring faster, reliable internet to places that previously had few options, such as rural areas and mountainous regions.
5G home internet FAQs
Is 5G worth it for home internet?
5G can be a great choice for cheap home internet because it offers unlimited data over a high-speed internet connection starting at $30/mo.
Is 5G home internet good for streaming and gaming?
Streaming and gaming typically work well over 5G speeds. However, 5G is a shared connection broadcasted from local radio towers, causing slower speeds when more people use the network. Plus, upload speeds of 5G are a fraction of the download speeds, so uploading large files can take longer.
How fast is 5G internet in Mbps?
5G speeds are available up to 1,000 Mbps but can vary depending on how close you are to a tower and which 5G home internet provider you use.
Which 5G network is the fastest?
Verizon 5G and Starry 5G are the fastest 5G ISPs, with speeds up to 1,000 Mbps (1 GB).
Does 5G use more data?
Activities on 5G internet will use the same amount of data as other internet connections, but you may use more data on a 5G connection because you can carry out activities quicker.
Does 5G home internet use a static IP address?
No. Most 5G home internet uses a dynamic IP address. An IP address contains information about the location of your computer and wireless devices. A dynamic IP address changes over time, but a static IP address does not. A static IP address is necessary for some online activities, such as connecting to a VPN. If you need to set up internet with a static IP address, some 5G business internet plans come with this option.
Is 5G home internet the same as fixed wireless internet?
5G is a type of fixed wireless connection because the signal is broadcast from radio towers. However, not all fixed wireless internet have 5G speeds; some can be much slower.
This content is produced through an alliance between USA TODAY and Allconnect.com. Under the alliance, Allconnect publishes articles about broadband-related topics upholding strict editorial integrity standards in line with USA TODAY’s Principles of Ethical Conduct. The opinions, analyses, reviews and recommendations expressed are those of the Allconnect editorial staff alone. The information is believed to be accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information. Read more about our Allconnect Advertising Disclosure.
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