Best 5G Home Internet Service Providers 2024

The rise of 5G home internet providers has transformed how Americans access reliable high-speed connections. In 2024, 5G Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) services are making waves, capturing around 6-7% of the U.S. broadband market. T-Mobile and Verizon lead the charge, offering competitive pricing and straightforward setups that appeal to both, urban and rural users. As 5G adoption grows, North America accounts for nearly a third of global 5G connections, with 197 million users by the end of 2023. Affordability, flexibility, and the convenience of self-installation are key drivers behind this trend, making 5G home internet a practical alternative to traditional cable and fiber internet providers.

5G Wireless Home Internet Providers – Top Picks

Availability of 5G Home Internet Providers in the USA

5G home internet availability has expanded rapidly thanks to initiatives by the FCC to support the expansion of the 5G network. The 5G Fund for Rural America allocates $9 billion to improve coverage in underserved regions, including rural and Tribal areas. Additionally, regulations like “One-Touch Make-Ready” have simplified infrastructure upgrades, reducing costs and accelerating 5G deployment. These advancements are helping 5G home internet providers extend services nationwide, ensuring more Americans gain access to reliable high-speed connectivity, particularly in areas previously left behind.

T-Mobile is the most widely available 5G home internet provider according to the FCC National Broadband Map. As of 30th December 2023, its T-Mobile 5g home internet service is available to approximately 60% of residential internet users. Other 5G home internet providers like Verizon, AT&T, and Stary are far behind in terms of coverage area. The following chart visually represents the availability of the top four 5G home internet service providers.

Internet Plans by Leading 5G Home Internet Providers

T-Mobile 5G Home Internet

Verizon 5G Home Internet

AT&T Internet Air (5G)

Starry Internet (5G)

EarthLink Wireless Home Internet (4G LTE & 5G)

Cheapest 5G Home Internet Provider: T-Mobile 

T-Mobile is the cheapest 5G home internet provider. Their cheapest internet plan, Home Internet Backup™, is $20/mo with Autoplay (taxes included). As its name suggests, this plan is best for backup internet usage and helps you stay online, even if you face an outage from your primary internet service provider. This $20 plan has a 130 GB data cap and offers download and upload speeds up to 245 Mbps and 31 Mbps, respectively.

Fastest 5G Home Internet Provider: Verizon

Verizon is the fastest 5G home internet provider. Their fastest internet plan is Verizon 5G Home Plus, offered for $70/mo with an Autopay discount. This 5G home internet plan includes a router and whole-home WiFi to ensure high-speed internet connectivity and low latency. This plan offers download speeds up to 1,000 Mbps and upload speeds up to 75 Mbps.

Choosing the Best 5G Home Internet Provider

The following factors must be considered when looking for the most suitable 5G home internet providers:

• Internet Speeds
• Price and Additional Costs
• Coverage area
• Network Reliability
• Additional Perks 

Internet Speed

Different types of online activities have differing internet speed requirements. For instance, online activities like HD streaming or online gaming require at least 25 Mbps download speed. On the contrary, 1 Mbps internet speed is enough for routine internet uses, like social media browsing or accessing emails.

Therefore, assessing your internet usage requirements is crucial before choosing a suitable 5G home internet provider. You can refer to FCC’s Broadband Speed Guide to evaluate your internet usage requirements. 

Price & Additional Costs

The price of a plan is one of the most important considerations when comparing 5G home internet providers. For instance, if two plans offered by different service providers offer similar features, then the price of the plan is the deciding factor. Internet users on a budget usually ignore additional perks or complementary offerings as long as the plan is within their budget.

Moreover, additional costs or advertised discounts are also important considerations. Some internet providers advertise deceptive prices. For instance, the advertised discounted prices are often applicable only if you sign a long-term contract or authorize Autopay payments. Furthermore, some providers have hidden charges like installation or activation fees, equipment rental, or data overage fees. Therefore, you should talk to a representative to get pricing details and review terms & conditions before subscribing to a plan.

Coverage Area

5G home internet providers are not available across the United States. All providers have different coverage areas and providers are constantly working on expansion initiatives. Therefore, when searching for the best 5G home internet provider it is important to start by looking up the 5G home internet providers available at your address, before evaluating any other factors.

Network Reliability

Network reliability refers to the time an internet connection works without service disruptions. Reliability and consistency of internet service are important factors when comparing 5G home internet providers. Although it is only possible to assess the reliability of an internet connection once you subscribe to it, you can always go through customer reviews and satisfaction surveys to evaluate network reliability. Too many customers complaining about frequent downtimes is a red flag that should be a key consideration while assessing different providers.

Additionally, some 5G home internet providers offer free trials for a limited period, so you can experience their service before paying for it.

Additional Features and Perks

Additional perks like a gift voucher, complimentary access to a streaming service, free installation, or a free trial can influence your purchase decision. However, it is recommended to pay more attention to the long-term value of the service rather than short-term or one-time perks. Always ask yourself whether or not the perk offered by the provider, adds any additional value to the service you are looking for.

Best 5G Home Internet Provider: T-Mobile

T-Mobile is our top pick for the best 5G home internet provider in the USA due to its extensive coverage, most affordable introductory plan, and exceptional customer satisfaction scores.

T-Mobile Home Internet is the most widely accessible 5G home internet provider in the USA, with its coverage exceeding the combined 5G coverage areas of AT&T Internet Air and Verizon.
T-Mobile 5g Home Internet scored 76 points on the American Customer Satisfaction Index 2024, followed by Verizon 5G with 74 points. In another recent customer satisfaction survey of non-fiber internet providers in the USA, T-Mobile’s 5G Home Internet service outperformed other 5G Home Internet service providers.

Frequently Asked Questions