Competition for home 5G internet service is starting to heat up in the US, as providers like Verizon and T-Mobile continue to roll out their 5G home internet service. This type of Broadband connectivity can be very convenient for many users, offering no contracts, no data limits, free self-installation, and the ability to quickly switch providers.
In this 5G home internet comparison, we delve into the individual offers of T-Mobile and Verizon, as well as AT&T’s 4G home internet offering, if you’re in an area that still hasn’t quite stepped into the 5G era. We’ll outline their download and upload speeds, pricing, setup, and some of the incentives that they’re offering in order to attract customers.
Background
It all started in 2019, when Verizon and T-Mobile began their roll-out of the 5G home internet service, with T-Mobile rolling its service out to 50 million people across the US. The previous year, AT&T had only rolled out a 4G home internet service for rural customers and businesses, which is significantly behind its two main competitors. However, this year will be a very important one for AT&T as it will try to keep up with the competition.
At this moment in time, cable and fiber-optic internet is probably still the better choice for many customers as it’s usually the most consistent and highest performing. That being said, there are many people who have opted for the convenience of the 5G home internet.
5G Home Internet Comparison: T-Mobile vs Verizon
So, let’s take a look at the different offerings that these two providers have and see how they compare.
Speeds
When it comes to speed, T-Mobile offers download speeds of 33 to 182 Mbps, and upload speeds of 8 to 25 Mbps. Meanwhile, Verizon offers download speeds of 85 to 1,000 Mbps, and upload speeds of 10 to 50 Mbps. To reach the faster speeds of 300-1,000 Mbps, you’ll need to opt for the 5G Home Plus plan from Verizon.
AT&T’s 4G home internet is the slowest of the bunch, offering download speeds of 10 to 25 Mbps, and upload speeds of up to 1 Mbps. Keep in mind that your average speed will heavily depend on your location and the coverage that you have in your area.
Pricing, Setup & Fine Details
T-Mobile and Verizon both offer very competitive pricing for their 5G home internet, particularly for customers who bundle an eligible cellular plan. This brings T-Mobile’s 5G home internet down to $30/month, and Verizon’s down to $25/month, both with autopay included.
If you don’t have your smartphone service through either of them, the plans are still very affordable, with T-Mobile and Verizon each offering their 5G home internet plans at $50/month with autopay.
Unfortunately, AT&T’s offering is more expensive and requires a $99 installation fee, as well as a data cap of 350 GB.
Incentives
Verizon and T-Mobile have implemented significant incentives to try to convince customers to switch from their current provider and make the switch to their 5G home internet service. This includes covering early termination fees of up to $500-700, free trials, and certain perks like free streaming devices and streaming services.
Verizon is offering its Stream TV set-top box for free, whereas T-Mobile is offering $50 which can be used for any streaming device, including Apple TV. T-Mobile is also giving customers two years of Paramount+ for free when they sign up for their 5G home internet service.
5G Home Internet Comparison Wrap-up
Overall, it’s exciting to see that both T-Mobile and Verizon are offering very attractive 5G home internet service plans. They both offer affordable pricing, no contracts, free trials, and lots of incentives, which have made them appealing to many users.
Hopefully, this year we’ll see AT&T join the 5G home internet space, which would undoubtedly bring more choice and more competition.
For now, customers who aren’t happy with their current service can take advantage of these free trial offers in order to test out either T-Mobile’s or Verizon’s 5G home internet. It’s then possible to compare the two services, side by side, and weigh up the pros and cons.
T-Mobile Pros:
• Greater availability and a lifetime price lock.
Verizon Pros:
• Cheaper price for bundlers and faster overall speeds.
Ultimately, it’s up to individual customers to decide which of the two services best suits their needs, and if they have a service bundled with either Verizon or T-Mobile, they may like to take advantage of their promotional offers first. To find out if these services are available in their area, customers can contact their local T-Mobile or Verizon store and get all the information they need.
