What is 5G home internet? (& is it good enough?)

By the end of 2027, global 5G subscriptions are forecast to reach 5.9 billion. 5G’s market share continues to grow, but how does it compare to cable and fiber?

Organizations are investing in 5G wireless and internet infrastructure to support 5G home internet. But, though 5G home internet can be reliable, it’s still a newer technology and not as established as a wired broadband connection.

In this article, you’ll learn more about 5G home internet and how it compares to traditional fiber or cable solutions.

5G home internet uses 5G technologies from wireless cellular networks to deliver 5G internet into the home. Breakthroughs from 4G to 5G have enabled multiple data streams to be transmitted and received simultaneously.

Now, home 5G internet uses higher-frequency radio waves, including millimeter waves (mmWave) and massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems. These advancements deliver higher-speed cellular internet connections to residential properties and areas.

However, most 5G home internet services require specific equipment, including a 5G modem or router and a 5G receiver. These devices receive the 5G network signal, and distribute it throughout your home.
 
While 4G to 5G has improved the experience of using cell phones for mobile hotspots, 5G doesn’t replace the need for traditional fast and reliable home internet services.

5G home internet speeds typically range from 40 Mbps to 300 Mbps. However, 5G home internet speeds vary depending on signal strength, network coverage and device compatibility. Traditional home internet services, such as fiber or cable, offer speeds up to 2000 Mbps/2 Gig in select areas.

Let’s take a look at some of the unique ways 5G home internet speed can be affected:

1. Coverage: 5G internet is a new technology, and not available everywhere. While 5G home internet promises fast speeds, it will take some time before it’s fully available in residential and rural areas. Before deciding on any internet service, check the coverage in your area.
2. Infrastructure: Faster 5G home internet speeds require cell tower infrastructure to function. In some areas, the infrastructure needs to be built or updated. Upgrading the existing infrastructure to support 5G can be expensive, and cause delays in your network speeds or availability of 5G overall.
3. Signal interference: The strength of your signal is an important factor affecting your 5G speed. Your signal strength depends on the distance from towers, obstructions like walls or buildings, or interference from other devices. If your signal is weak, your connection will be slower.
4. Frequency bands: 5G uses different frequency bands, including low, mid and high. Low-band signals travel farther but offer slower speeds. In comparison, high-band signals provide faster speeds but have shorter ranges.
5. Network congestion: 5G home internet speeds vary depending on congestion. During peak usage times or in densely populated areas, speeds may be slower due to increased demand.
6. Device compatibility: Devices must be 5G compatible to access 5G speeds. While 5G-enabled smartphones and other devices are available, older devices or your current device may not be capable of accessing 5G. To take full advantage of the enhanced speeds available to you, make sure your device is compatible with 5G.
7. Plan limitations: Be aware of language around speeds if you decide to choose 5G home internet. With 5G home internet, you’ll simply be selecting a provider for the service. You may find it’s difficult to know exactly which speed you’re signing up for when you choose your plan. Conversely, fiber and cable providers allow you the flexibility to choose the speed suited for your household’s needs, and even change as your needs change.

Bundling your cable or fiber internet solutions with mobile data can provide a wealth of savings. To see more about how to maximize your speeds at home and on the go, look into our free mobile savings calculator to determine how much you’d spend on fiber-powered internet.

Like speed and reliability, your experience with 5G home internet depends on signal strength and coverage. The closer you are to a 5G tower, the stronger the signal you’ll receive. Let’s take a look at some of the factors that affect 5G coverage.

• Infrastructure density: The distribution of 5G cell infrastructure in an area directly influences 5G home network coverage. In a rural area, for example, you may not be able to access coverage, affecting 5G reliability overall.
• Network load: Connected devices and data affect your 5G home network. High network traffic leads to congestion, and lowers the overall coverage capacity.
• Frequency band mix: Carriers may deploy a different mix of frequency bands. The different mix of frequency bands affects coverage.
• Carrier investment: Whether or not a network decides to upgrade their 5G infrastructure determines the extent of 5G coverage provided by that carrier.
• Regulatory compliance: Government regulations and zoning laws influence where and how carriers can deploy 5G infrastructure, which impacts home internet 5G coverage areas and availability.
• Topography: Natural landscape, such as hills, valleys and bodies of water, can affect signal strength and coverage.
• Urban vs. rural areas: Urban regions often receive 5G at home due to higher population density, where carriers can reap better investment returns. Deployment priorities for 5G coverage can differ significantly between urban and rural areas.

5G home internet promises fast delivery speeds. Actual 5G download and upload speeds depend on several factors. Network coverage, device compatibility and congestion impact the benefits, cost and value of 5G home internet access.

Let’s look at the pros and cons of 5G home internet use for the following everyday situations.

As 5G home internet is a wireless connection, you’ll likely experience issues with critical factors like ping, delays or latency. If you’re a 5G home internet user and having problems with your connection while gaming, check out our article about whether or not 5G home internet is good for gaming.

With fiber or cable, no matter what high-bandwidth activity you choose, higher internet speeds greatly increase bandwidth. If you’re a competitive gamer or an avid Twitch viewer, you’ll want a Gigabit connection to keep up with bandwidth requirements. While 5G home internet may be a good choice for online games where lag isn’t a factor, wired services offer a better gaming experience overall.

Similar to broadband internet, with 5G home internet you’ll experience high-quality video. However, if multiple devices are streaming simultaneously, you can expect poorer image quality. If you don’t have the proper signal strength or coverage, you won’t benefit from 5G.

While there are benefits to 5G home internet for working from home, you’ll have more efficient remote collaboration with smoother video conferencing and easier file transfers with traditional wired home internet. 5G may affect your ability to perform tasks during peak working hours as networks experience congestion.

In an apartment, access to 5G internet services can be limited. Concrete or metal commonly used in apartment buildings can obstruct signals, hindering indoor coverage. Traditional cable or broadband can bypass these obstructions, and provide a stronger connection.
 
Learn more: How to set up your internet and WiFi in a new apartment

In a large home, if your 5G home internet service provides a strong signal, you can enjoy faster speeds. However, finding the proper placement for a 5G receiver can be challenging. Without a strong signal, your 5G home internet plan may be slow, have problems connecting to multiple devices or handling many internet users at once.

Additionally, with broadband internet, you can benefit from devices like the eero Mesh WiFi system. If you have a home with potential for dead zones, you can simply place a device in your deadzone and get speeds of up to 1500 Mbps using your existing cable or fiber network connection.
 
Learn more: How to set up your internet and Wifi in a new home

Is 5G home internet better than fiber? The answer depends on your unique needs and situation.

If you’re in an urban area, in need of internet access and don’t depend on unlimited internet, then 5G might be for you.

However, if you are concerned mostly about speed, reliability and coverage, traditional wired internet is a much better choice for your home.
 

5G home internet is an exciting but ever-changing technology. Cable and fiber’s pre-built infrastructure, wired connections, speed and bandwidth makes it a long-lasting and affordable solution that will provide an experience that is consistent for years to come.

With Astound’s high speed internet and 5G mobile services, you can work from home, stream, game and complete everyday tasks in a connected home and on the go – at an affordable price.
 

With Astound, you’ll receive fiber-powered Gig internet in your home and enjoy the latest 5G high-speed mobile internet usage – wherever it’s available. Whether you’re in constant motion, outside or inside your home, Astound’s bundled offerings can save you money and give you cutting-edge technology without compromising the quality of reliability and service.

While 5G home internet may seem attractive to many consumers, there are many drawbacks. Coverage, speed and reliability can be affected by many factors that don’t affect traditional fiber and cable.
 
To avoid these problems, consider bundling traditional cable or fiber internet with the latest 5G mobile technology. You’ll receive higher-quality connection at a lower cost, and award-winning services without sacrificing time or money.