Why Fiber internet is (probably) better than 5G for your home

In the last three years, 5G home internet has grown as an option for consumers. In fact, by 2030, global 5G is expected to make up 21% of the entire internet technology market share. However, the technology is still developing.

Today, fiber internet still provides faster, more consistent and more reliable internet speeds, as well as unlimited bandwidth and flexible internet plans. The research is clear: 43% of U.S. households choose fiber-powered internet solutions to stay connected.

In this article, we will clarify the differences between fiber and 5G internet and we’ll explore why fiber is a great fit for all your home internet needs.

In most cases, fiber is a better solution than 5G home internet. Not only does fiber possess the most developed internet infrastructure, but it also provides faster speeds and lower latency than 5G.

Fiber is perfect for data-intensive activities including:

• Streaming high-res videos.
• Online gaming.
• File transfers.
• Video conferencing.
• Cloud applications.

 
Additionally, if a household has multiple users and devices accessing the internet simultaneously, fiber’s coverage, flexibility and bandwidth can handle increased demands without interruptions.

5G is the fifth generation of wireless technology. Wireless internet signals are transmitted in radio waves—in a range of high, medium, or low frequencies—through cell stations across specific areas.

5G wireless technology aims to provide users with fast speeds, low latency and increased reliability. However, the technology is still developing. 5G largely depends on consumer adoption in rural or residential areas for service providers to create infrastructure.

Fiber internet, on the other hand, transmits and receives data faster and over greater distances—without disturbance. Fiber networks use insulated fiber‑optic cables to send pulses of data at the speed of light.

An Optical Network Terminal converts the pulses into electrical signals like Ethernet. Fiber networks are all around us, and have been researched and developed extensively since the 1970s.

In other words, it’s a technology that has stood the test of time, and is designed to be flexible enough to accommodate new developments in networking, internet and communications.

The differences between 5G home internet and fiber-powered internet aren’t only about how they send and receive data. Let’s take a closer look at some of the key differences.

Fiber is more expensive for ISPs to install, but less costly for customers.

Since fiber can achieve higher speeds and support many devices without new infrastructure, it’s more cost-effective for customers in the long term.

Fiber-powered internet can range between $25 and $250 per month, depending on your ISP.

With Astound, fiber-powered internet prices start at $25. When bundled with mobile and TV services, prices start at $75. Most ISPs give discounts when bundling together mobile and TV services with your fiber-powered internet plans.
 

To get started with fiber-powered internet, do the following:

1. Choose your speed. Speeds range from 100 Mbps to 1.5 Gbps.
2. Add on a mobile plan. Access our 5G wireless network for internet on-the-go.
3. Add a TV plan for your household. Find your favorite channels and shows, all supported by our fiber-powered internet network.

You’ll be harnessing our speeds to download and upload files, stream your favorite shows, or game online.
 

Compared to a cable or fiber ISP, 5G technology is less expensive to distribute. However, it provides individual users with less value for the money.

Moreover, 5G internet is not uniform in speed, meaning that obstacles, coverage, distance from towers or transmitters and other factors influence your actual experience of internet speed in the home.

The major networks providing 5G internet offer prices ranging from $25 to $70, which may include discounts depending on the carrier. However, it’s important to note that some providers include data caps in their plans. After using a predetermined amount of GB, your ISP will deprioritize your connection, meaning your speeds will be much slower.
 

If you think you’ll be streaming, gaming, or working from home and need a stable connection, a fiber-powered connection delivers consistent speed.
 

Because 5G speeds are not consistent, providers may not be delivering you internet at the speed tier that you are paying for. For example, some users of 5G home internet report that their internet connection switches from 5G to 4G, with little explanation from the provider.

In some extreme cases, users have reported that being as little as 200 feet away from a 5G tower does not help 5G home internet performance issues.

5G home internet is a connection that is shared by many users at once—inside and outside the home. During peak usage times, your connection may be deprioritized.

If your home supports heavy data use, multiple users, or several connected devices, your service may not function properly with 5G.

5G home internet is still in its early stages. Coverage isn’t available yet everywhere. As of now, 5G uses radio waves to transmit data through radio transmitters and small cell stations placed within major urban areas with high populations.

When transmitting a high-bandwidth or millimeter wave (mmWave) spectrum, the range of a 5G small cell is 50 to 2,000 feet (15 to 600 meters), assuming there are no obstacles like trees, tall buildings or mountains. If you happen to live near a 5G tower, you may experience fast download and upload rates.

Conversely, if you move away from the 5G tower, your internet speeds will fluctuate, impacting your internet’s overall performance. This same phenomenon occurs when you move your cell phone away from a 5G hub and your network slows to a halt.

Because fiber internet has been around longer, it’s already easily available in many regions. Due to its high speeds and minimal latency, fiber is the default option for many internet users.

More consumers are now looking toward fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) solutions. These connections are ideal, as the fiber-optic cables run directly from the ISP’s hub to your home, ensuring the best speeds and reliability for your home network.

Fiber provides robust and consistent internet connectivity. It’s transmitted by light signals and electromagnetic interference rarely affects fiber cables – unlike other technologies. For example, fiber connections send data over long distances with minimal loss of signal strength.

Compared to 5G, fiber has the lowest latency at around 1ms. These faster data transmission response times make fiber the most reliable internet for high-precision applications.

As 5G home internet uses radio frequencies, the distances the signals can travel is limited. Buildings, trees and other objects block signals. The further you are from the radio towers, the weaker your internet signal will be.

5G’s latency is around 4 ms. When using online applications that demand real-time interactions, high latency makes activities like video conferencing, online gaming, or virtual reality applications less responsive and less reliable.