The future of 5G home internet is a topic of debate within the broadband industry, with conflicting opinions from industry leaders. At the recent Goldman Sachs Communacopia + Technology conference, CEOs from Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, Comcast, and Charter shared their perspectives on 5G home broadband.

Verizon CEO Hans Vestberg sees fixed wireless access, which refers to a 5G broadband connection, as a significant growth driver. T-Mobile CEO Mike Sievert, on the other hand, expressed caution and stated that 5G home internet plays a role in the marketplace. AT&T CEO John Stankey believes that distinguishing between wireless and wired broadband is a fallacy and that it all comes down to fiber.

Comcast CEO Brian Roberts and Charter CEO Chris Winfrey, who do not offer 5G home internet service, both criticized it as the next “DSL.”

The varying opinions among telecom executives indicate that 5G home internet is approaching a crossroads. While it has gained popularity in the past year and has the potential to revolutionize the broadband industry, comments from industry leaders and networking limitations may limit its growth potential in the future.

Despite the differing opinions, 5G home internet is becoming a significant business for wireless carriers as consumer demand grows. T-Mobile, in particular, has been successful in signing up customers for its 5G home service. Verizon aims to have 4 to 5 million customers by 2025, highlighting the high demand for broadband in the market.

However, the future of 5G home internet remains uncertain once wireless carriers reach their customer targets. Investment in new infrastructure will be needed to expand the service to more people. The instinct for carriers like Verizon and AT&T is to fall back to fiber, as they believe it is where the domestic U.S. market is heading in the long run.

While 5G home internet has gained traction, it has yet to replace cable or fiber. Comcast and Charter remain skeptical about the technology, emphasizing the limitations of limited bandwidth and capacity.

In conclusion, the future of 5G home internet remains uncertain due to differing opinions among industry leaders and the need for further investments in infrastructure. It is a growing market with potential, but its long-term viability and impact on the broadband industry are still in question.