How Does 5G Internet Work?

5G is the newest wave of wireless internet technology. A 5G network—like those operated by T-Mobile and Verizon—can provide broadband internet service to both smartphones and homes.

But is 5G internet really powerful enough to replace your home internet plan? In most cases, yes. 5G home internet is fast, affordable, easy to install, and available in many locations where other options are limited.

“Unlike the traditional services of cable or fiber, 5G uses cellular networks to provide internet—a very capable solution in areas that are quite difficult or expensive to install cables or physical lines,” explains Jacob Kalvo, the co-founder and CEO of software brand Live Proxies. “The mobility of 5G will make relocation easy with no lengthy installation procedures.”

However, there are some drawbacks and limitations to 5G internet, and certain customers might still prefer the reliability and higher speeds of fiber and cable. We’ll go over all of the pros and cons in this article so that you can make the right choice for your household.

5G simply refers to the fifth generation of wireless mobile technology. It emerged in the late 2010s as a replacement for older technologies, like 3G and 4G LTE. But it operates in a similar way, using a series of network towers to beam a signal to cell phones and other Wi-Fi devices.

The biggest difference between 5G and older wireless technologies is the frequency. Basically, 5G operates over a higher frequency spectrum that previously wasn’t widely used for commercial purposes. With fewer competing users on the airwaves, a 5G signal can deliver data faster and with lower latency. That means you get faster and more responsive internet service for streaming, scrolling, gaming, and downloading.

While 5G was originally designed as a cell phone network technology, it is being widely adapted for use as a home internet solution. With a 5G receiver, you can get 5G internet in your home and set up a Wi-Fi network, just like you would with cable or fiber internet.

In fact, in recent years more than 80% of new broadband connections in the U.S. were 5G. The service is spreading so quickly because, in many places, it’s a faster, cheaper, and easier Wi-Fi service than the traditional wired options.

5G home internet has a few features that make it different from other broadband internet services.

Unlike fiber, cable, and DSL internet, 5G home internet doesn’t require any wires to be run into your house. No phone line, no cable, and no fiber. All you need is a wireless receiver (provided by your 5G provider), which acts as a modem and Wi-Fi router as well.

The biggest drawback to 5G home internet is that the speeds usually top out around 300Mbps (unless you’re in specific areas with Verizon). With average speeds in the 50–150Mbps range, 5G home internet is great for small households of one to three people. But bigger households and avid internet users might want an internet solution with more bandwidth.

Because 5G mobile technology already exists for cell phones, it has been relatively easy for major cell phone companies to jump into the 5G home internet market. This has created a great environment for customers, who can pick between several competing carriers. Most plans are around $50–60 a month and don’t require a contract.

If you sign up for 5G home internet with your existing cell phone carrier, you may be able to get up to $20 off your internet bill every month! This is a great way to get your dollar to stretch even further, especially because it's likely you already need to pay for your cell phone bill. 

You can get 5G home internet in many out of the way places, as long as a cell phone company has existing 5G towers. This makes it a great option for those living in small towns and suburbs where there isn’t fiber-optic infrastructure.

“It can be a good replacement for cable or fiber internet, especially in areas with limited wired infrastructure,” says Andrei Vasilescu of coupon company DontPayFull. “However, 5G coverage is still expanding, and signal strength can be affected by obstacles like walls and trees.”

The short answer is yes. But the long answer is that it depends on which 5G provider you have, your location, and how much internet bandwidth your household uses.

On the lower end of the speed spectrum, 5G internet delivers around 70–150 Mbps. That’s plenty of bandwidth for most couples, small families, students, and retirees. You can easily have one or two devices connected at once—streaming HD movies, gaming, or Zooming into a call—with that speed range.

However, if you live in a bigger household or you have a ton of connected devices in your home, you want to be on the higher end of 5G’s speed range. So look out for Verizon’s wideband 5G (more on that later) or areas where you receive strong T-Mobile or AT&T 5G signals.

In many parts of the country, you can’t get 5G home internet with speeds above 100–200Mbps. In those areas, big families, online influencers, gamers, and other heavy internet users should stick with cable or fiber.

All three major cell phone carriers—AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon—offer 5G home internet service. Each one has its own plans, prices, and policies. Here’s a quick breakdown of the details.

So, which one is the best 5G home internet provider? It really depends on your location, your current wireless carrier, and what you’re looking for in an internet provider.

If you live in one of the cities across the country where you can get Verizon’s wideband 5G service , then we recommend going with Verizon. If you live elsewhere, then T-Mobile is the next best pick. AT&T is the latest to the 5G home internet game, and it’s still catching up.

But you should always check with your current cell phone provider before you make up your mind (assuming you have a plan from one of the big three). Bundling your cell phone and 5G internet plan together can save you a ton of money.

5G home internet is a good option for lots of users. It’s especially useful for college students, military families, and anyone else who needs flexible internet terms and affordable home Wi-Fi prices.

“From the consumer side, 5G home internet may provide a great option that exists in high speeds and low latency,” says Jacob Kalvo of Live Proxies. But, he adds, “5G may still not be the right choice for many more demanding users and use cases—especially where reliability and high-performance characteristics are required to be sustained.”