It’s no secret that many of us are tired of being tied to with cumbersome contracts, low speeds, restrictive terms and rising fees. Indeed, a . All too often, though, we have . 

Could be the answer? The technology powering the  also wants to tackle our home needs. The earliest 5G plans, available from names like , and , offer respectable speeds at a straightforward price — but availability is limited to select cities and regions. Let’s dig in and see how it works, how fast it gets, what it costs and where it’s available.

What is 5G home internet? 

Simply put, 5G stands for fifth generation. Fifth generation of what, you ask? The fifth generation of wireless data networks. You’re probably most familiar with hearing 5G used to describe and . You’re not wrong: 5G networks, which use different radio frequencies than previous generations, aim to provide faster data speeds with much less lag or delay than we had with 4G.

My CNET colleague . Millimeter-wave technology uses much higher frequencies than previous generations and subsequently provides much faster speeds and connections. But those higher, gigabit speeds come with a price — the data doesn’t travel the same distance as 4G and has more trouble with obstructions. To combat that, midband technology, which offers speeds averaging between 300 and 400 megabits per second, increases the coverage area provided by millimeter-wave. Finally, low-band 5G offers a range similar to 4G but with a speed that tops out between 100 and 200Mbps.

Is 5GHz the same thing as 5G home internet?

Nope. One common mistake is to see the “5GHz” setting on your router and assume you have access to 5G. also use short-range radio frequencies — typically either 2.4GHz or 5GHz — to transmit your internet signal to connected devices within your home. So 5GHz is one of the band options for your home’s Wi-Fi system, but it’s not the same as 5G, a cellular technology that uses higher-frequency waves.

How is 5G home internet different from fiber or cable internet?

Most ISPs deliver internet service via phone lines or cables connecting your home to a more extensive network. That includes common , like digital subscriber line, coaxial cable and fiber-optic internet. Those are all wired connections from your provider to your home.

5G home internet, on the other hand, is a type of fixed wireless internet service, which means that the connection between your provider and your home is not a wired one. With 5G, your provider will need to install an indoor or outdoor 5G receiver at your house to pick up the signal. It’s similar to satellite internet, but instead of beaming in a signal from satellites orbiting in the night sky, it’s relaying information from a much closer wireless hub. Even though you’re using the same 5G network as your mobile phone, the gateway is specific to your location and cannot be used elsewhere.

Which ISPs can provide 5G home internet?

As stated already, 5G is still being deployed across the country. Due to that, the number of providers currently offering any 5G home internet plan is relatively limited. For example, provides a 5G mobile service, but its fixed wireless solution does not currently utilize its 5G network. So, right now, your main options for 5G home internet are , and . Let’s explore what each offers.

Starry Internet plans and pricing

Plan	Max speeds	Monthly rate	Equipment fee	Data cap	Contract
Starry Basic	50Mbps download, 50Mbps upload	$30	None	None	None
Starry Plus	200Mbps download, 100Mbps upload	$50	None	None	None
Starry Pro	500Mbps download, 250Mbps upload	$65	None	None	None
Starry Gigabit	1,000Mbps download, 500Mbps upload	$80	None	None	None

T Mobile

T-Mobile Home Internet features the lowest broadband speeds among our listed providers. That’s because it wavers between  and 5G. It’s not exclusively 5G. T-Mobile “anticipates” that most customers will average between 33 and 182Mbps download speeds.  and we hit a max of 132Mbps on the service.

T-Mobile’s home internet service includes all setup fees and taxes. There is no annual contract or data cap. It also includes a Price Lock guarantee that shields you from any price increases for as long as you remain a customer. Its current deal features Paramount Plus free for one year ($5 a month version with limited ads) and, for eligible Magenta MAX customers, half off the price of YouTube TV for the first year.

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T-Mobile Home Internet plans and pricing

Plan	Max speeds	Monthly price	Equipment fee	Data cap	Contract
T-Mobile Home Internet	33-182Mbps download, 6-23Mbps upload	$50 ($30 for eligible Magenta MAX mobile customers)	None	None	None

Sarah Tew/CNET

Verizon’s 5G internet service, which uses ultrawideband 5G technology, boasts max download speeds of up to 1 gigabit and average speeds of around 300Mbps. However, upload speeds are not symmetrical and will plateau at 50Mbps or less because Verizon does not exclusively use the millimeter-wave technology but a mix of .

Verizon 5G Home Internet pricing is $50 a month for a two-year price guarantee or $70 a month to lock in the price for three years, plus some extra perks. Either way, it’s an all-in price that includes equipment, setup fees and taxes, and like all other Verizon plans, it requires no contracts or data caps.

Verizon also offers many promos and deals to sweeten the pot for potential customers. First, it provides an early termination fee credit offer to give qualifying customers a bill credit of up to $500 if they switch from their current ISP and are charged an ETF. Second, 5G Home Plus customers get an eight-piece SimpliSafe Smart Home Security Bundle. Lastly, customers with qualifying Verizon Unlimited mobile plans will get 50% off the monthly cost of either plan.

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Verizon 5G Home Internet plans and prices

Plan	Max speeds	Monthly price	Equipment fee	Data cap	Contract	Price guarantee
Verizon 5G Home	85-300Mbps download, 50Mbps upload	$50 ($25 for qualifying Verizon Unlimited mobile customers)	None	None	None	2 years
Verizon 5G Home Plus	300-1,000Mbps download, 50Mbps upload	$70 ($35 for qualifying Verizon Unlimited mobile customers)	None	None	None	3 years