The truth about 5G Home Internet

In simple terms, the “G” in 5G stands for “generation.” This means that a 5G network is the fifth generation of Internet networks dating back to the 1990s. This does NOT mean a G as in gigabit speed pertaining to how fast 5G Internet is.

More technically, 5G is a set of standards for delivering Internet speeds faster than the prior 4G/LTE standard using cell towers. There are two ways carriers use 5G. The first, 5G Mobile, offers an impressive increase in Internet speeds on mobile phones. It provides a much better on-the-go experience for streaming videos or downloading large files. The second type is called Fixed Wireless Internet (FWA) — often referred to as 5G Internet. 5G Home Internet uses the same mobile network as these phones, but it brings the service into a house using a device that converts the mobile signal into Wi-Fi.

This can be a nice upgrade for those who are limited to DSL or some forms of satellite Internet service. But when it comes down to a 5G Internet vs cable face-off: 5G is no match for fiber-based broadband services from broadband companies and other ISPs. Not only are those networks dramatically faster, but they are also more reliable, secure, and private. Because all 5G Internet relies on the same cell towers as 5G mobile devices, they are essentially competing for capacity. When many mobile users are using the 5G network at once, the 5G Home Internet users must wait in line behind them for connectivity. And because of the nature of the 5G frequencies, there must be more towers closer together and lower to the ground to deliver optimal service.

So how fast is 5G Internet, really? As mentioned earlier, 5G stands for fifth generation – and NOT 5 gigabits per second of service. 5G Home Internet users will experience speeds at a fraction of what wired broadband services can provide.

Oftentimes, people will see 5 GHz on their WiFi router and assume they have 5G Internet access at home. These are two different things. When it comes to Wi-Fi routers, 5 GHz refers to the 5 gigahertz radio frequency the router uses to transmit your Internet signal to the devices in your home – think of how different radio stations have different frequency slots they broadcast in. Most modern routers have both a 2.4 and 5 GHz channel. The 5G in 5G Home Internet just refers to the fifth generation of mobile data. It uses a number of different “channels” or frequency bands to deliver the service, all of which are prone to the same interference issues that traditional cellular service faces.

You’ve probably heard cell phone and Internet companies speak of “nationwide” 5G coverage. While there is service in places all over the country, consumers can expect to have vastly different experiences for 5G Internet depending on where they are located — i.e. rural and urban areas, close to busy highways or places where people gather like sports stadiums or office complexes.