5G home internet and fiber internet are two of the fastest-growing forms of internet connectivity in the country. If your neighborhood just got access to these networks and you're interested in switching services, you might be wondering what the difference is between them.
5G home internet is a wireless internet connection that runs on the 5G networks of mobile carriers like AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon. Fiber internet is a wired connection of fiber-optic cables that transmits your internet data using pulses of light.
Which connection type is best for you depends on your needs:
- Fiber internet is the fastest internet available. It's best for customers who do internet-intensive tasks, like playing online video games, streaming 4K movies, or working from home.
- 5G home internet is better for casual users who don't mind a slower internet connection, or who are interested in bundling their internet service with their wireless bill.
While both 5G internet and fiber are not available everywhere, each network's footprint is rapidly expanding. We'll lay out the differences between 5G home internet and fiber internet to help you decide which connectivity type meets your needs and budget.
Quick guide: 5G internet vs. fiber internet
| 5G home Internet | Fiber internet | |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | Up to 400Mbps | Up to 8Gbps (8,000Mbps) |
| Price | $35–$75/mo.* | $20–$175/mo. |
| Latency | Variable: Prone to lag spikes | Low: Best for gaming and streaming |
| Contract | None | Most plans don't require a contract |
| Availability | Limited to areas with strong 5G service |
Available in many urban areas, rare in rural towns |
*Lowest 5G internet prices require a wireless phone bundle.
5G internet vs fiber: What's the difference?
The main difference between these two internet types is how each service delivers internet to your home. Fiber internet relies on wired fiber-optic cables, while 5G internet uses the power of 5G cell phone networks to deliver your serivce wirelessly.
How fiber internet works
Fiber-optic internet cables are made of thin strands of flexible glass or plastic. It transmits internet signals using pulses of light, making the service incredibly fast. With your data traveling almost at the speed of light, fiber internet offers the fast download speeds, lowest latency, and highest bandwidth of any internet type currently available.
The downside to fiber internet is that it's mostly limited to cities and suburbs. While the network is growing, fiber cables are incredibly expensive, meaning it takes a lot of time and investment for internet serivce providers to expand their coverage footprints.
How 5G home internet works
5G internet is a broadband internet service that uses a wireless company's 5G network. These are the same high-speed 5G networks your smartphone uses, so the technology is similar to a mobile hotspot.
Like a smartphone, a 5G home internet router connects to a local 5G tower, then transmits the signal into your home as a Wi-Fi network. That said, 5G internet is a fixed wireless service, meaning it provides internet service to a specific, fixed location. Unlike your smartphone or a mobile hotspot, it can't be used anywhere else.
While 5G networks are steadily growing, not everywhere has 5G home internet yet. The service requires a strong enough network of 5G towers to support both wireless users and internet customers. Right now, those kinds of networks are mostly located in urban areas.
5G internet vs fiber internet: Speeds
If you need the fastest internet connection possible, there is only one option: Fiber internet is much faster than 5G home internet.
- Fiber internet speeds can reach up to 8Gbps (8,000Mbps)
- 5G home internet currently maxes out around 400Mbps
If you can do the mental math in your head for the max speeds above, fiber is around 20 times faster than the current top speeds of 5G home internet.
The reason for this speed difference is the technology behind each connectivity type. Remember, fiber uses a wired connection to transfer your internet data almost at the speed of light. 5G internet is wireless and runs on 5G radio waves. These signals are slower and can be disrupted as they move through the air by weather, trees, buildings, and even the distance you live from the nearest 5G tower.
Wondering what internet speed is right for you? Check out our internet speed guide to help you figure out how fast your current connection is and what speeds you actually need.
5G internet vs fiber internet: Price and value
Pricing is the category where you'll need to think about your budget and whether you want to bundle services.
For a stand-alone internet plan, fiber typically offers the best value and is the better option for cheap internet plans. Depending on your provider and location, plans can start as low as $35/month for a 1Gbps connection. That's faster and cheaper than any stand-alone 5G internet plan. That said, fiber can also be incredibly expensive for its top speeds, with some plans approaching $200/month.
5G home internet is the better value if you want to bundle your internet service with your wireless plan. Since wireless companies are the ones offering the internet service, most will also include additional discounts when purchasing both services together. For example, you can get the Rely 5G Internet plan from T-Mobile for as low as $35/month (down from $50/month) if you bundle it with a postpaid phone plan. That's a solid deal if you don't need the top speeds found with a fiber hookup.
Which internet should you choose for your home?
The choice between 5G internet and fiber internet for your home depends on your personal needs. Remember, fiber internet is better for internet-intensive tasks, while 5G home internet is better for casual activities.
Fiber internet is best for activities like:
- Online competitive gaming
- 4K/HD streaming
- Working from home
- Taking online classes
- Managing smart home devices
- Uploading large files and videos
5G internet is the better choice for simple activities like:
- Casual web browsing
- Watching TikToks, Instagram Reels, or YouTube Shorts
- Scrolling social media feeds
- Online shopping
5G internet vs. fiber: Pros and cons
If you're one of the lucky customers who has access to both fiber and 5G internet, you may be having trouble making a choice. Here are the most important pros and cons of each connection type to help you decide.
Fiber home internet
- Ultra-fast download speeds up to 8Gbps
- Low-cost plan options available
- Bundle with home phone or cable TV (depending on provider)
- Footpring quickly growing across the nation
- Plenty of service providers (AT&T, Verizon Fios, Google Fiber, Frontier, Brightspeed, etc.)
- May have to pay expensive installation fees
- Not available in many rural areas
5G home internet
- Easy installation ("plug-and-play" router)
- Fast internet speeds (up to 400Mbps)
- Bundle with wireless plan for extra savings
- Cheaper than other wireless internet types
- Availability mostly limited to urban areas
- Service impacts from weather and network congestion
- Fewer providers for service (AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, and select MVNOs)
5G vs Fiber: The installation process
Both 5G home internet and fiber internet require you to use a router and a Wi-Fi modem to deliver digital data to your home and devices.
With 5G home internet, you simply need to plug in the gateway router sent by your internet provider. It contains a SIM card that will automatically connect to the 5G network as soon as you turn it on. There is no special dish or technician required. You can also buy a third-party 5G internet router if you find the one included with your plan doesn't offer fast enough speeds or bandwidth.
Since fiber internet is a wired connection, it requires a technician and special installation. You may also have to pay additional fees if this is the first time fiber is being installed in your home, which are not cheap. If you're moving soon, we suggest looking for a home or apartment that already has a previous fiber connection to avoid any installation billing surprises.
5G home internet and fiber internet plans
If you're in the market for a new home internet plan, both 5G internet and fiber are great options. The decision comes down to whether you need the fastest possible download speeds from fiber or just need the average speeds and bundled discounts of 5G home internet.
We can help you see what kinds of internet connections are available at your home. Simply type your address into our internet search engine to see what providers, plans, and connection types are available in your neighborhood.
You can also pick from some of the most popular plan options for each service below:
5G home internet plans
|
#1
|
T-Mobile
Rely Internet
$50/mo
5 year price guarantee. With AutoPay. Guarantee exclusions like taxes and fees apply.
+ $35 Upfront
|
|
#2
|
Verizon
myPlan + 5G Home
$35/mo
with AutoPay and any Verizon mobile phone plan
|
|
#3
|
Mint Mobile
12 Month Home MINTernet
$40/mo
$480.00 upfront payment for 12 months
|
|
#4
|
NOW
100/10 Mbps
$30/mo
|
|
#5
|
AT&T
Internet Air
$48/mo
Paperless billing required. Plus taxes & fees. Limited availability. May not be available in your area.
|
Fiber internet plans
|
#1
|
Kinetic
100 Mbps
$24.99/mo
for 12 months. This advertised price includes a $5.00 credit for AutoPay enrollment.
|
|
#2
|
Frontier
Fiber 500 Internet
$29.99/mo
with AutoPay
|
|
#3
|
Brightspeed
200 Mbps
$29.99/mo
Limited availability/areas. Taxes and fees extra. Autopay required. Pricing Subject to change.
|
|
#4
|
Astound
300 Mbps Internet
$30/mo
Observed speeds may vary | One-time fees extra | Restrictions apply | Not available in all areas | New residential customers only
+ $14.99 Upfront
|
|
#5
|
Astound
300 Mbps Internet + Unlimited
$30/mo
Observed speeds may vary | One-time fees extra | Restrictions apply | Not available in all areas | New residential customers only
+ $14.99 Upfront
|
5G internet vs. fiber: FAQs
Does weather affect 5G home internet?
Yes, since 5G home internet is wireless, it can be affected by the weather. Events like hard rain, snow, and ice make it more difficult for 5G internet signals to reach your home.
Why is 5G home internet slower at night?
5G home internet is often slower at night between 7 PM and 11 PM because this is when everyone is home using their service. Too many users on one network at the same time causes network congestion and limits bandwidth.
What are the major differences between fiber and 5G?
Fiber internet is a wired internet connection typically purchased from an internet service provider (ISP). 5G home internet is a wireless connection typically purchased from a wireless phone carrier.
Is 5G or fiber better for gaming?
Fiber is better than 5G internet for gaming because of its faster download speeds, lower latency, and higher bandwidth.
Max McCaskill
Sr. Staff Writer
Find a better internet plan
Enter your address to find the best internet providers available in your area.
Related Articles
Related Topics
InternetPopular Topics
Internet Research and Reports News App Explainers T-Mobile US Mobile Carrier Roundups App Roundups Carrier Versus Device TroubleshootingInternet Providers by State
- Internet in Alabama
- Internet in Alaska
- Internet in Arizona
- Internet in Arkansas
- Internet in California
- Internet in Colorado
- Internet in Connecticut
- Internet in Delaware
- Internet in District of Columbia
- Internet in Florida
- Internet in Georgia
- Internet in Hawaii
- Internet in Idaho
- Internet in Illinois
- Internet in Indiana
- Internet in Iowa
- Internet in Kansas
- Internet in Kentucky
- Internet in Louisiana
- Internet in Maine
- Internet in Maryland
- Internet in Massachusetts
- Internet in Michigan
- Internet in Minnesota
- Internet in Mississippi
- Internet in Missouri
- Internet in Montana
- Internet in Nebraska
- Internet in Nevada
- Internet in New Hampshire
- Internet in New Jersey
- Internet in New Mexico
- Internet in New York
- Internet in North Carolina
- Internet in North Dakota
- Internet in Ohio
- Internet in Oklahoma
- Internet in Oregon
- Internet in Pennsylvania
- Internet in Rhode Island
- Internet in South Carolina
- Internet in South Dakota
- Internet in Tennessee
- Internet in Texas
- Internet in Utah
- Internet in Vermont
- Internet in Virginia
- Internet in Washington
- Internet in West Virginia
- Internet in Wisconsin
- Internet in Wyoming
.png?w=280&h=280&usm=20&usmrad=0.8&fit=crop "T-Mobile AWAY Plan: Mobile-friendly internet launches for travelers and nomads")
