Fifth-generation (5G) technology is expanding at a rapid pace, surpassing the growth rates of its predecessors, 3G and 4G. While it took 3G nearly 12 years and 4G almost five years to reach one billion users, projections indicate that 5G will achieve this milestone in less than three years. The emergence of 5G home internet has played a significant role in driving the adoption of 5G services.
Major telecommunications carriers like AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon are actively offering their own versions of 5G home internet to their vast customer bases, totaling in the hundreds of millions. This competition has intensified as companies like Amazon and SpaceX enter the race to make 5G more accessible and reliable. With an array of options available, customers now have more choices than ever before.
AT&T recently reported that it is adding thousands of new 5G customers each day, including a growing number of 5G Home Internet users. The company also announced its plans to bring 5G to cars in the near future.
T-Mobile’s 5G home internet service promises download speeds of up to 100 Mbps and does not require equipment rentals. The monthly cost is $50, with no contracts after a 15-day free trial. Customers with T-Mobile’s Go5G or Magenta Max plans may enjoy even lower monthly rates, potentially as low as $30. T-Mobile introduced two new home internet devices over the summer, the Arcadyan TMOG4AR and the Secomm TMOG4SE modems, which aim to offer more reliable connections and faster speeds.
Verizon’s 5G Home Internet availability and speeds vary depending on location, but the company also offers no equipment charges or contracts. Verizon recently enhanced its service by introducing a new gateway that supports Wi-Fi 6E and Tri-Band, enabling faster internet speeds. The Verizon Receiver, launched last year, is now available in all markets and provides 5G Home Internet business customers with access to all bands of the Verizon Wireless Network, allowing them to connect to the fastest available wireless service when others are congested.
AT&T, although relatively late to the 5G home internet market, launched its Internet Air service in 16 markets last month. The service offers download speeds of 40-140 Mbps and upload speeds of 5-25 Mbps. With no data caps, the service costs around $55 per month. Internet Air aims to provide faster internet for DSL customers without replacing copper lines, which many other providers are discontinuing.
In addition to major carriers, companies like SpaceX and Amazon are also working on offering faster and more reliable internet options. Both companies plan to use low-orbit satellites, enabling faster speeds and lower latency. SpaceX already has over 5,000 Starlink satellites in orbit and is awaiting permission to launch an additional 30,000. However, the service currently has a lengthy waitlist, and plans range from $250 to $5,000 per month, with an equipment fee of $2,500.
Amazon’s internet service, known as Project Kuiper, will operate similarly to Starlink, providing high-speed internet from space. Early estimates suggest that Amazon’s service could offer comparable speeds to Starlink’s, averaging around 90.55 Mbps down and 9.33 Mbps up, with a latency of 43 ms. Amazon aims to be a more affordable option, with plans priced under $100 per month. The company plans to launch its first satellites later this month, with larger-scale production starting in 2024.