Cable vs. 5G home internet

While cable and 5G home internet both provide high-speed connectivity, speed capabilities depend on infrastructure and other factors, including coverage and network congestion.

Cable internet is a high-speed broadband connection with speeds ranging from 100 Mbps to 1.5 Gbps. A 2023 report by the FCC states that cable internet provides fast and more consistent speeds, with most users experiencing median speeds greater than the advertised speed.

Your connection’s speed tier depends on the WiFi plan you subscribe to from your ISP provider.

While 5G home internet is also a high-speed connection, it does not offer specific speed tiers like cable internet. The speeds 5G home internet providers offer range from 40 Mbps to 300 Mbps.

For example, a Reddit user reported that their 5G home internet speeds would go up to 300 Mbps and subsequently drop to 20 Mbps. Factors such as network congestion, the density of 5G coverage and the distance of devices from 5G cell towers influence these speed inconsistencies.

 
Learn More: How to increase WiFi speed

Wired internet connections refer to broadband connections transmitting data through physical cables. The two common types of wired internet connections are cable and fiber optic. The main difference between fiber and cable is their transmission medium.

Fiber uses thin glass strands to transmit data as light signals, while cable transmits data through coaxial cables as electric signals.

Wired connections generally offer a more stable, consistent and reliable internet service than wireless 5G home internet. The coaxial cables that transmit data are less susceptible to signal interference, attenuation and damage from unfavorable weather patterns.

Wired connections maintain signal integrity over long distances, reducing distortion and offering lower latency. Lower latency is crucial in online activities and applications that require real-time response, such as internet gaming, live streaming, video calls and smart automation with Internet of Things (IoT) devices.

If you are a passionate streamer or gamer who frequently streams 4K/8K content, consider a wired connection like cable to provide a stable, consistent, low-latency internet experience that meets gaming demands.

Cable internet is also widely available in urban and suburban areas because it leverages the existing cable infrastructure for TV. 5G coverage, on the other hand, is limited to certain areas, primarily select metropolitan areas, since its infrastructure is still in development.

 
Learn more: Wired WiFi vs 5G WiFi

5G home internet performance varies depending on several factors. Some of the challenges it faces include:

Despite the rollout of the 5G network, its coverage is mainly limited to select urban and metropolitan areas. People living in areas with low-density coverage of 5G cell towers can experience slower internet speeds or interrupted connections.

5G home internet is a wireless network with signals passing through the air as radio waves. In densely populated areas, buildings, walls and trees obstruct the transmission of 5G signals between the cell towers and the 5G receivers (routers).

In areas with a high population of 5G users, many devices connect to the same network simultaneously, which may result in network congestion. A surge in users during periods of peak network usage can strain 5G networks’ bandwidth, leading to interference, slow data transmission and increasing latency.

Some 5G home internet providers impose data caps on their internet plans, limiting how much data users can utilize during a billing period. You may quickly exceed your data caps if you engage in data-intensive activities like streaming 4K content or downloading and uploading large files frequently.

Exceeding data caps may result in slower speeds or more charges, limiting your ability to utilize your internet connection while paying the overcharges.

Unfavorable weather conditions like heavy rain, fog or thunderstorms cause atmospheric disturbances that can attenuate 5G signals, causing distortion and signal degradation. Distorted and degraded signals cause internet interference and slow data transmission for users.