First launched in 2018, availability has surged in the last year. this January, making . While Verizon Fios, the company’s 100% fiber-optic internet service, typically scores well on customer satisfaction studies, it’s only available in the Northeast, so 5G’s wider availability area marks a significant expansion for Verizon’s broadband options.
Unlike , , andthat get you online with a wired connection, cellular internet plans like Verizon 5G Home Internet take a fixed wireless approach. As the name suggests, your home will get its internet connection wirelessly through a receiver that picks up Verizon’s signal and broadcasts it throughout your home as a Wi-Fi network.
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Fixed wireless connections like and are typically a lot slower than what you’ll get from a wired cable or fiber connection, but that’s not the case with 5G. In some regions, including parts of Verizon’s coverage map, you’ll find 5G plans capable of hitting near-gigabit download speeds.
That makes 5G especially interesting if you live without high-speed cable or fiber internet access. Verizon is one of the top names leading the effort to bring the technology to as many homes as possible. With straightforward pricing, no data caps and no contracts (all of which seem to be emerging standards across ) there’s a lot to like about what Verizon’s selling. Still, it’s a moot point if the service isn’t available at your address.
Here’s everything you should know about Verizon 5G Home Internet, including what sort of speeds, prices and terms you should expect if you sign up.
Verizon 5G Home Internet coverage map: Where is it available?
Verizon 5G Home Internet availability
Verizon 5G Home Internet is available in many places, but most are centered around America’s largest metro regions, where the development of 5G infrastructure is the furthest along. That puts it on a similar trajectory as fiber, with service primarily focused in America’s largest cities, where the population density makes expansion more cost-effective.
That said, deploying new cell towers and upgrading existing ones is generally faster than wiring entire regions for fiber, neighborhood by neighborhood. So, while availability is still somewhat limited, there’s room for hope that 5G might be able to bring speedier home internet to underserved parts of the country faster than fiber, cable or other, more common modes of internet.
Check your address to verify Verizon 5G Home Internet serviceability
Even if Verizon 5G Home Internet is available in your city, there’s no guarantee it’s available at your address. Serviceability requires relative proximity to one of Verizon’s 5G cell towers and a strong, steady signal.
Take me, for instance. I live near downtown Louisville, Kentucky, where Verizon’s 5G Home Internet is an option for some. But Verizon can’t offer service at my address yet, even though I have a cell plan with Verizon and service that’s strong enough for my phone to connect over 5G semi-regularly when I’m at home. That lack of availability might change soon (and I’m eager to test the service out and tell you all about it), but for now, all I can do is wait.
Want to see if Verizon 5G Home Internet is available at your address? .
Verizon 5G Home Internet plans, speeds, prices and terms
Verizon keeps things pretty simple. There are two options: you have your choice of whether you want a two-year price guarantee — at $50 a month, including all taxes and fees — or a three-year price lock at $70 per month (plus extra perks), everything included. No matter which of the two options you choose, you can get an additional 50% off if you have a qualifying Verizon 5G mobile plan.
Speeds will vary based on the connection quality at your address, but Verizon says most customers should expect average download speeds of about 300 megabits per second. In select parts of the coverage map, webcluetech speeds can get as high as 940Mbps. As for your uploads, which affect video calls and posting large files to the web, most homes should expect to see speeds between 10-50Mbps.
Verizon 5G Home Internet plans
Plan | Max speeds | Monthly price | Equipment fee | Data cap | Contract | Price guarantee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Verizon 5G Home | 85-300Mbps download, 10Mbps upload | $50 | None | None | None | 2 years |
Verizon 5G Home Plus | 300-1000Mbps download, 50Mbps upload | $70 | None | None | None | 3 years |
How does Verizon 5G compare to Verizon 4G LTE speeds?
With , customers can typically expect download speeds ranging from 25Mbps to 50Mbps, with uploads in the single digits. 5G is, and that’s because the standard’s millimeter-wave technology (aka mmWave) sends signals at much higher frequencies than LTE. Those higher frequencies can deliver gigabit speeds in the right circumstances, but the tradeoff is they don’t travel as far and can struggle with obstructions.
5G accounts for those high-speed range limitations by mixing slower mid- and low-band signals that travel farther for better coverage. On those frequencies, you can expect your 5G speeds to dip down to around 300Mbps on midband or down to double-digit LTE levels on low-band. That’s why your 5G mileage will vary as far as speeds are concerned — it all comes down to the location of your home.
Verizon 5G Home Internet has no data caps, contracts or hidden fees
Verizon’s terms are about as straightforward as you’ll find in the home internet market. The monthly rate includes all taxes and fees, and you won’t need to pay an additional equipment fee as you will with most providers. In December 2021, Verizon announced aavailable to new Verizon 5G Home Internet customers.
Additionally, there are no service contracts or early termination fees and no data caps. That means you can use your connection as much as you like without fearing overage charges for using too much data. On top of that, Verizon 5G Home Internet doesn’t come with a promo rate, so your bill won’t arbitrarily jump up after the first year.
All of that is pretty appealing, and it matches what we see from and , the other two names of note offering 5G home internet plans. Like Verizon, neither of them enforces contracts, data caps or equipment fees. That seems like a smart strategy for providers hoping to tempt customers into trying something new.
Verizon 5G Home Internet vs. the competition
I mentioned T-Mobile and Starry — two other providers currently offering 5G home internet plans. is the notable absence here. The company has its own 5G network and currently offers fixed wireless home internet service too, but that service doesn’t use 5G, at least not yet.
T-Mobile and Starry offer appealingly straightforward terms just as Verizon does, but the prices and speeds are different. For example, consider. T-Mobile uses a mix of 5G and 4G LTE signals and is slower than Verizon but a bit less expensive than the 5G Home Plus option. You’ll spend $50 per month on home internet speeds ranging from 33-182Mbps download to 6-23Mbps upload.
Starry is more impressive, as $50 per month gets you to download speeds of 200Mbps and upload speeds to 100Mbps. That makes it the only cellular internet provider that gets close to fiber’s symmetrical speeds.
As for each company’s coverage map, T-Mobile offers the most comprehensive availability, with cellular internet service currently available to over. Verizon told us in February that it now offers 5G home internet service to and targets 50 million by 2025. Starry is the smallest provider of the three and is available in six cities. Still, the company plans to expand access to 30 million homes in new markets by the end of 2022.
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Verizon 5G speed test vs. 4G
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Verizon could potentially offer the best value if your average speeds are high enough, but it’s difficult to say for sure with such a wide range of possibilities. With Starry, $50 per month for speeds of 200Mbps comes to about 25 cents per Mbps. With T-Mobile, your average cost per Mbps would sit at about 27 cents, assuming you’re routinely hitting those max speeds of 182Mbps.
As for Verizon, the company says that 5G Home customers should typically expect downloads between 85Mbps to 300Mbps. So, if your average is 193Mbps (the midpoint), you’re paying about 26 cents per Mbps each month. If you have a strong connection and average download speeds are closer to 300Mbps, that cost per Mbps falls to 17 cents, but if the connection is weak and your average sits at around 85Mbps, the number shoots up to 59 cents. Like I said, your mileage may vary.
If you opt for 5G Home Plus, your monthly figures will be slightly different: Verizon’s value figures come out to 11 cents per Mbps for average speeds at 650Mbps, 23 cents at 300Mbps and 7 cents at 1000Mbps. Those numbers dip lower if you apply the Verizon mobile plan discount.
That stacks up pretty well with the top cable providers, who typically charge at least 25 cents per Mbps. However, , with most plans typically coming in between 9 and 17 cents per Mbps. If you’re choosing between fiber and 5G, I’d lean toward fiber in most cases.
Remember how I mentioned that 5G home internet providers are trying to lure customers away from other ISPs? That’s certainly the case with Verizon. The company currently offers many sweeteners for anyone thinking about making the switch.
If your current provider charges an early termination fee for ditching it before your contract ends, Verizon will cover that cost when you switch (up to $500). On top of that, new Verizon 5G Home Internet customers get a 30-day Satisfaction Guarantee: if you’re not happy with your service, you can get a full refund. Verizon 5G Home Plus customers will also receive a complimentary SimpliSafe Smart Home Security Bundle.
On paper, there’s not much to criticize here. Verizon 5G Home Internet offers some genuinely outstanding terms, and the download speeds could potentially match what you’d expect to see from cable or fiber. And don’t forget that Verizon is consistently ranked as a top ISP for customer satisfaction by organizations like the and . I wish the uploads were faster than 50Mbps, especially given that Starry promises uploads as high as 100Mbps — but that might also indicate that there’s room for Verizon to improve over time as its 5G network expands.
That expansion of 5G infrastructure will be the key to bringing availability to more people and strengthening the signal for Verizon’s existing customers. Suppose Verizon can continue growing its service map at a fast clip, and its simple, straightforward approach to pricing proves popular. In that case, Verizon’s 5G Home Internet service might be a potential game-changer. We’ll continue to watch this space, and I’ll update this post as soon as I can test the service out for myself.
FAQs
Is Verizon 5G home internet truly unlimited? ›
No. 5G Home Internet service has no data limit or data usage cap. Your 5G Home Internet plan is a data-only plan, separate from other plans on your account. Any device connected to your 5G Home Internet Wi-Fi network enjoys unlimited Wi-Fi data usage when using Wi-Fi.
What speed do you get with Verizon 5G home internet? ›Verizon 5G Home Internet comes with two plans: 5G Home and 5G Home Plus. 5G Home is Verizon's base internet plan, and it comes with download speeds between 85 and 300 Mbps. You'll also get a two-year price guarantee, along with a free Wi-Fi 6 router.
Is Verizon 5G home internet better than Google Fiber? ›No, 5G home internet is not faster than fiber. Fiber can reach speeds up to 5,000Mbps, while 5G home internet can reach max speeds of 300–1,000Mbps (depending on the provider and plan). Fiber also has symmetrical speeds, so its uploads are just as fast as downloads.
Is Verizon home internet good for streaming? ›And even if you're not a Verizon customer yet, if you can land the top-end of Verizon's 5G speeds at up to 1000 Mbps, you're still looking at a pretty good price. Speed: Verizon says 5G Home Internet speeds typically sit around 300 Mbps, which is great for most streamers and gamers.
How many devices can Verizon 5G home internet handle? ›Verizon limits 10 devices to connect to the 2.4GHz and 30 devices on the 5.0GHz.
Is 5G internet good for streaming? ›5G unlocked bandwidths of over 1GHz giving a massive boost to both live streaming and VoD with its 10x decrease in end-to-end latency, 20X faster speed, and higher bandwidth. With 5G technology video streaming from mobile devices also becomes quicker, smoother, and powerfully immersive.
Is 5G faster than Wi-Fi? ›Though 5G is typically the fastest mobile Internet connection, reliability can be a challenge. WiFi offers a faster, more reliable Internet connection when combined with a reliable router and a reliable Internet plan.
Where is the best place to put a Verizon 5G router? ›Because the Verizon 5G gateway receives data via wireless broadcast from cell towers, the best place to set up your router is usually near a window on the top floor of your home. You want the gateway to access the best possible 5G signal.
What are the pros and cons of 5G home internet? ›- Faster speed. One of the most significant advantages of 5G network technology is blazing-fast speed. ...
- Lower latency. ...
- Increased bandwidth. ...
- Potential for new technology. ...
- Limited coverage. ...
- Limited range of connectivity. ...
- Cybersecurity risks. ...
- Slow rollout.
If you want better range, use 2.4 GHz. If you need higher performance or speed, use the 5GHz band. The 5GHz band, which is the newer of the two, has the potential to cut through network clutter and interference to maximize network performance. Which means this band will be better for things like reducing game lag.
Is 5G internet as good as fiber? ›
The main difference between the two is how much bandwidth they can deliver to your device. A 5G connection has more capacity for downloading data at very high speeds, upwards of 1 gigabit per second. Fiber optic connections cannot deliver these speeds wirelessly as 5G networks do.
Where is the best place to put a Verizon router? ›To get a better signal, avoid keeping the device in the basement. Avoid having obstacles near the device, clear any objects near the window that could interfere with getting a signal. Keep the Gateway away from metal obstructions and away from direct sunlight.
How can I boost my Verizon 5G home internet? ›Swap the Verizon Internet SIM card into a different cellular router. Using an external MIMO antenna outside your building, pointed at the nearest tower, can help you get the fastest 4G LTE and 5G data rates possible.
Why is my Verizon 5G internet so slow? ›There can be several reasons for slow Verizon internet on your phone, like a VPN app is enabled, High-data apps running in the background, data saver mode is ON, or the data limit is exceeded on your device.
Does Verizon home internet use cell towers? ›Verizon Fios provides access to a fiber-optic network while Verizon LTE and 5G Home convert a wireless signal from nearby phone towers. Regardless of which internet service is available in your home, speeds may vary based on location, weather conditions and more.
How much internet do you get with Verizon home internet? ›Verizon internet packages include 300/300 Mbps, 500/500 Mbps and up to 940/880 Mbps internet, so you can choose the option that makes sense for your lifestyle.
What is the difference between Verizon 5G home and 5G home plus? ›Verizon 5G Home Internet has two download speed tiers: 5G Home has maximum download speeds between 85 Mbps and 300 Mbps, while 5G Home Plus has speeds between 300 Mbps and 1,000 Mbps.
Is Verizon home internet easy to install? ›Self-Installation is easy. You'll receive an Installation Kit prior to your service ready date. The kit contains: An instruction booklet.
Is 5G fast enough for Netflix? ›5G is faster than 4G in some areas of the U.S., offering higher download speeds and a more consistent connection. However, it's unlikely that you'd be able to stream Netflix in 4K with 5G right now. But that doesn't mean it won't be possible in the future.
Is 5G fast enough to stream movies? ›Another aspect is the extremely low latency standard that 5G networks are required to abide by. This means everything you currently do on the internet is a lot faster with 5G Wi-Fi, like when downloading files, sharing data, uploading videos, playing online games, streaming movies, etc.
Is 5G better for Netflix? ›
The short answer is Yes, if you have a 4G or 5G home wireless internet connection you should be able to watch Netflix in some form. 4G speeds can easily exceed 100Mbs and 5G can go even faster so connection speed will not be the problem.
Can 5G replace Wi-Fi? ›Ok, 5G is Interesting, But Will It Replace Wi-Fi? Easy answer, No! For the last 10 years, every improvement in carrier wireless technologies was proffered as a potential technology to replace Wi-Fi and the answer was always the same, not yet. We saw it with mobile WiMAX, 3G, and 4G, it will be the same answer for 5G.
Is 5G router worth it? ›Faster Speeds – Theoretically, your internet speed should be twice as fast with a 5g router compared to an older generation one (4G). This is because it uses newer technologies that allow for higher bandwidth capacity.
How far will Verizon router reach? ›Wi-Fi signals will usually reach about 150 feet or over 45 meters for a 2.4Ghz frequency. Using a 5Ghz frequency, you will get about 50 feet or about 15 meters of reach.
How many Ethernet ports does Verizon 5G home internet have? ›: Three LAN ports (one 2.5 Gbps port on the rightmost and two 1 Gbps ports in the middle) enable you to connect devices to the Router via Ethernet cables.
Why is 5G not good indoors? ›This is because mmWave signals struggle to penetrate building walls and certain types of glass, thus hobbling indoor 5G performance. In fact, since AT&T and Verizon first deployed mmWave 5G in 2019, users have found it difficult to access high-band 5G signals.
How strong is 5G home internet? ›5G home internet commonly gives you speeds around 100–300 Mbps. But 5G internet speeds can reach up to 1,000 Mbps, depending on the plan and quality of cell service in your area.
Why do I keep losing my Verizon Internet connection? ›Rebooting (turning off and then back on) your router solves most Wi-Fi issues. Upon rebooting newer model routers generally select the least crowded frequencies. If you have a dual-band router like the Fios Quantum Gateway, try enabling both 2.4GHz and 5GHz.
Does 5G require fiber optic cable? ›Equally as important to note is that not only does 5G need fiber, but it needs huge fiber counts with incredible density and ability to access that through splice points that are near enough to where it is needed so you can break out.
Is fiber cheaper than 5G? ›5G technology is considered much cheaper than Fiber connectivity for distribution but can be expensive to access. Therefore, when you need more access points through a broader spectrum, 5G is a great choice, but it is definitely not reasonable for individual users.
Is it better to buy your own router Verizon? ›
You should rent a modem or router (or both) from your internet provider if you want upgrades, replacements, and technical support at no additional cost to you. If you want to save money over the long run and have more control over your internet connection, buy your own router.
Will Verizon install my own router? ›Yes, you can. Below is a detailed guide to using your own router with Verizon Fios. The tl;dr: If you have standalone Verizon Fios Internet that was recently installed, simply release the DHCP lease on the Verizon router (follow instructions below, section "Switching to your own router"), and plug your own router in.
Where is the safest place to put your router? ›- Avoid the kitchen. ...
- Place your router centrally. ...
- Adjust the antennae. ...
- Avoid walls. ...
- Place it out in the open. ...
- Avoid electronic items. ...
- Don't place it on the floor. ...
- Mirrors and fish tanks.
3200-5000 sq. ft.
How to get a Verizon signal booster for free? ›Can I get a Verizon Signal Booster for Free? Unfortunatley at this time there is no way to get a free Verizon Signal Booster. Years ago, Verizon used to offer free signal boosters to customers, however that practice was discontinued.
How do I make my Verizon home internet faster? ›- If connecting with Wi-Fi, try moving your device closer to the router.
- Remove other devices off your network and close any other applications on your computer. Additional connections can slow down your Wi-Fi speed.
- Additional troubleshooting methods can be found here.
Why is my 5G so slow? 5G rollout promised speeds 600 times faster than 4G networks. But, 5G connections are often slow due to less dedicated bandwidth for 5G networks vs. 4G or LTE networks, which are still more widely used.
How fast should my Verizon 5G internet be? ›5G Ultra Wideband speeds range from 300 Mbps up to 1 Gbps.
How can I make my 5G internet faster? ›- Get a New Phone/Hotspot. If you're using an old device, a new phone or hotspot may allow you to connect to new bands. ...
- Use External Antennas [Best for Hotspots] ...
- Use a MIMO Signal Booster [Best for Phones]
Airtel has deployed its 5G network in around 300 cities so far. Airtel has made a bold move in the telecom market by not only providing its users with access to 5G services for free but also introducing unlimited 5G data usage on selected prepaid and postpaid plans.
Is Verizon LTE home internet capped? ›
LTE Home Internet service has no data usage caps and supports full HD 1080p Video streaming.
Is home internet really unlimited? ›Many internet providers put a cap on the amount of Wi-Fi data you can use on your home internet service. But some internet providers offer unlimited data, letting you stream, game, and attend Zoom meetings as much as you want without the worry of throttled speeds or overage charges.
Do I have unlimited data if I have 5G? ›With 5G Get More you get: Unlimited Premium network access. More Mobile Hotspot – You get 50 GB premium Mobile Hotspot data, then unlimited lower-speed data.
What are the limitations of 5G internet? ›- Insufficient worldwide coverage. The fact that 5G has a spotty worldwide reach and is currently only available in a few locations is its major drawback. ...
- A smaller broadcasting range. ...
- Upload rates. ...
- Weakening of gadget batteries. ...
- Cybersecurity. ...
- Lack of encryption at the start of the connection procedure.
Is 5G faster than cable internet? 5G internet is capable of reaching higher wireless speeds than the wireless speed generations before it, but you're not guaranteed the highest speeds and certainly not the higher speeds than you'd get with a reliable cable connection.
Can 5G replace WiFi? ›Ok, 5G is Interesting, But Will It Replace Wi-Fi? Easy answer, No! For the last 10 years, every improvement in carrier wireless technologies was proffered as a potential technology to replace Wi-Fi and the answer was always the same, not yet. We saw it with mobile WiMAX, 3G, and 4G, it will be the same answer for 5G.
How many square feet does Verizon home internet cover? ›3200-5000 sq. ft.
Is 100GB enough for 5G? ›Internet Browsing
If you use your phone mostly to browse through web pages and conduct Google searches, 100GB of data could be enough to allow you to browse 24 hours a day, all month, without an issue.
100GB data (or 100,000MB) is functionally almost unlimited. Even with video streamed in high quality you could manage around 30 hours a month (depending on the source).
How much does unlimited 5G cost? ›| Plan | Data | Price |
|---|---|---|
| AT&T Unlimited Premium | Unlimited (up to 100GB/month*) | $85/month |
| T-Mobile Magenta Family Plan | Unlimited (up to 50GB/month*) | $160/month |
| Mint Mobile Unlimited Plan | Unlimited (up to 40GB*) | $15/month |
| Visible+ Unlimited Plan | Unlimited (up to 50GB/month*) | $45/month |