Competition for 5G home internet is heating up in the US, with T-Mobile and Verizon offering big incentives to attract customers.And now AT&T has entered the market.Keep track of speeds, prices and all the details for each provider in our 5G home internet comparison.
Update August 24, 2023: AT&T has officially launched a 5G home service called Internet Air.The charts and details below have been updated to include all the latest information.
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It’s been a couple of years since Verizon and T-Mobile launched their 5G home internet services, and they both continue to expand and struggle with affordable pricing and credible incentives.
After years of inactivity offering 4G home internet to rural customers and businesses, AT&T has launched 5G home service in 16 major cities as of August 2023.
If you have the ability to connect to fixed fiber or cable internet, this will usually be the most consistent and high performance option.However, in many cases, 5G home Internet can be convenient without a contract, data limitation, and self-installation.It can also be a great backup option for your wired internet.
Comparison of 5G home internet: T-Mobile, Verizon and AT&T
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Speeds
Verizon offers the highest potential speed for both download and upload, while T-Mobile’s service is more widely available.
In both cases, keep in mind that the average 5G speed will vary depending on your location and coverage area.
AT&T’s 5G home internet is a big improvement over previous 4G and DSL services, but it’s the slowest of the three.
Home Internet 5GT-MobileVerizonAT&TDDownload speed 72 to 245Mbps 85 to 1000Mbps 40 to 140MbpsUpload speed 15 to 31Mbps 10 to 50Mbps 5 to 25Mbps
One more detail: To access 300-1000Mbps download speeds with Verizon, you need to opt for the 5G Home Plus plan.
Price, setup, small details
All three operators offer affordable prices, especially for customers who have an appropriate cellular plan.As a result, T-Mobile’s 5G home internet will drop to $30-40 per month, Verizon’s to $35-45 per month, and AT&T’s $35 per month.
Even if you don’t have smartphone service with any of the providers, the plans are still relatively affordable, ranging from $50 to $80 per month.Verizon’s prices have recently risen and are the highest of the three.
Incentives
Both T-Mobile and Verizon have an enticing list of incentives designed to get customers to move away from traditional broadband providers.
Both allow you to switch for free, covering early termination fees and adding additional perks such as a gift card or an NFL Sunday ticket.
All three providers offer free trials ranging from 7 to 30 days.
5GT-MobileVerizonAT&T Home Internet IncentivesFree Trial ✅ – 15 Days ✅ – 30 Days ✅ – 7 Days Early End $750 Up to $500❌ Tuesday T-Mobile Bonuses ✅❌❌ $50 Mastercard Gift Card ✅ ❌❌Free NFL Sunday Ticket or Chromebook❌ ✅❌
Verizon is expanding with the latest offerings: a free NFL Sunday ticket or a Samsung Galaxy Chromebook for new 5G Home Plus plans.However, T-Mobile offers a maximum early termination fee plus a $50 Mastercard gift card.
Availability of 5G home internet
With non-carrier:
AND:
Verizon 5G home internet is available in most US states, reaching more than 30 million households.Like T-Mobile, Verizon’s availability can vary even within the same city.Check Verizon 5G Home availability.
AT&T did not say how many homes its service serves, but it is currently available in 16 major metropolitan areas.
5G Home Internet Comparison Results
As all three major carriers work to create a compelling 5G home internet service, consumers are benefiting from affordable pricing, free trials, no contracts, and more.
At this point, if you’re unhappy with your broadband provider, you can easily do a risk-free trial, and you can even try it out alongside your existing internet.
T-Mobile and Verizon definitely offer better overall services when it comes to performance, incentives and price.But it’s good to see AT&T intervening.
Pros of T-Mobile:
Great availability, lifetime price lock, the most affordable price
Pros of Verizon:
AT&T Pros:
Suitable for existing AT&T wireless customers who get Internet Air for $35 per month.
To start your free trial, check to see if T-Mobile, Verizon, or AT&T 5G Home Internet is available in your area.