What is 5G internet? Speed, coverage & how it works

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 internet plans?

Organizations are investing in wideband 5G infrastructure to support 5G home internet. However, even though wireless 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 plans and how they compare to fiber or cable.

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 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 data, and distribute it as wireless signals throughout your home. Though advancements from 4G to 5G have improved the experience of using wireless networks and cell phones for mobile hotspots, 5G doesn’t replace the need for fast, reliable fiber and cable home internet providers.

So, is 5G internet good? 5G home internet speeds typically range from 40 Mbps to 300 Mbps. However, 5G home internet speeds vary depending on cellular network strength, availability, coverage and device compatibility. Home internet services, such as fiber or cable, offer speeds up to 2000 Mbps (or 2 Gig) in select areas.

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

• • 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.
  • Infrastructure: Faster 5G home internet speeds require cellular networks to function. In some areas, infrastructure may need to be built or updated. Upgrading to support 5G can be expensive and cause delays in your network speeds or quality of service.
  • Signal interference: With 5G, your signal strength depends on the distance from towers, obstructions like walls or buildings and interference from other devices. If your wireless network signal is weak, your connection will be slower.
  • Frequency bands: 5G uses different wideband frequencies, 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.
  • 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 customer demand.
  • Device compatibility: Modems and routers must be 5G compatible to access 5G speeds. While 5G-enabled smartphones and other devices are available, older laptops or your current mobile device may not be capable of accessing 5G.
  • Plan limitations: Be aware of customer-facing language around speeds if you choose 5G home internet. You may find it’s difficult to know exactly which speed in Mbps or Gbps you’re getting when shopping 5G home internet offers. Conversely, fiber and cable home internet provide the flexibility for choosing the speed suited for your needs and can even change as your needs change.

Additionally, when looking at home internet offers, consider bundling your cable or fiber internet with mobile data to get even more savings. To see more about how to maximize your speeds at home and on the go, investigate our free mobile savings calculator to determine how much you could save.

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 coverage. If there are no towers in your area, you won’t have any coverage.
• Network load: Connected devices and data affect your 5G home network. High network traffic leads to congestion and lowers your overall quality of service.
• Frequency band mix: Carriers may use a mix of frequency bands. These specific mixes, and how the carriers may change them, could affect your coverage.
• Carrier investment: A carrier’s decision to upgrade its 5G infrastructure directly affects how much coverage it can provide.
• Regulatory compliance: Government regulations and zoning laws shape where carriers can build 5G infrastructure, which in turn affect coverage areas and availability for 5G home internet.
• Topography: Natural landscape, such as hills, valleys and bodies of water, can affect signal strength and coverage.
• Urban vs. rural areas: Urban areas are more likely to receive 5G home internet first because higher population density offers carriers a stronger return on investment. As a result, deployment priorities often differ significantly between urban and rural communities.

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

Let’s look at the pros and cons of 5G home internet plans for the following 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 broadband 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. 5G home internet may work well for games where lag isn’t critical, but for a better overall gaming experience, check availability of wired services in your area.

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. Because of these challenges, many apartment residents turn to wired options for a more dependable connection. For DIY pointers, learn how to set up your internet and WiFi in a new apartment.

In a large home, if your 5G service offers 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 internet 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 dead zone and get speeds of up to 1500 Mbps using your existing cable or fiber network connection. This makes broadband a flexible option for eliminating dead zones and maximizing your speeds. Learn 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 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 internet on your mobile device, wherever it’s available. Astound’s bundled offerings can save you money and give you cutting-edge technology without compromise.

While 5G home internet may seem attractive to many consumers, coverage, speed and reliability can be affected by many factors that don’t affect traditional fiber and cable.
 
To avoid these problems, consider bundling 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.