Is 5G vs Fiber Internet the Best Choice for Speed?

5G fixed wireless is gaining popularity. But how does it compare to fiber? Here’s what to know.

We’ve adopted 5G on our phones, and it’s clear why. This upgrade boosts cellular speeds 10 to 100 times compared to the previous generation.

It’s fast and robust enough for wireless signals to handle cellular and home internet services. 

Significant providers, like T-Mobile and Verizon, offer 5G home internet to over 40 million and 50 million households across the U.S., respectively, while AT&T has also entered the market with AT&T Internet Air.

5G offers impressive smartphone capabilities, but there may be better choices for home internet, especially if fiber-optic internet is an option where you live.

Recent Federal Communications Commission data shows that 43% of households have fiber connections. 

While 5G home internet has its perks, I wouldn’t choose it over fiber or cable internet as the top connection type.

5G home internet is attractive for its high speeds, good value, and simple, contract-free terms. However, fiber internet often offers these benefits and more.

With fiber, you can expect faster upload speeds, more consistent speeds, and a more comprehensive range of plan choices compared to 5G.

5G home internet can suit your home better than fiber. It offers a budget-friendly choice or works well in rural areas where fiber is unavailable.

For instance, T-Mobile Home Internet now covers over 40 million homes, including many in rural areas.

But what’s the story with fiber and 5G? I’ll break it down, beginning with a look at how each technology functions.

Wired vs. Wireless Connection

Fiber and 5G internet differ mainly in how they deliver service to your home.

Fiber-optic internet sends data as light signals through long, thin glass wires directly to your home or a nearby node on a private line.

The service connects to an optical network terminal, like a modem, providing internet access. From there, a router may turn these signals into Wi-Fi, but the connection remains wired up to the router.

5G, the fifth generation of wireless tech, uses airwaves at different frequencies (low, mid, or high) to send and receive internet signals wirelessly, each frequency offering unique speed and range. 

A small device in your home picks up the wireless signals and converts them for activities like streaming, gaming, and browsing.

Many 5G receivers have Ethernet ports for wired connections, but the signal enters and spreads wirelessly throughout your home.

A Wired Connection Provides More Reliable Speed

When you connect your computer to the modem with an Ethernet cable instead of Wi-Fi, you will likely get faster, steadier speeds.

Verizon initially launched its 5G Home Internet with high-frequency millimeter-wave 5G, but Verizon and T-Mobile now focus on home Internet through their midband networks.

Midband 5G is far more accessible than millimeter-wave, especially in rural locations.

Although less extensive than low-band networks or as fast as millimeter-wave, midband 5G offers a solid mix of speed and coverage, often reaching download speeds of 100Mbps or more.

T-Mobile Home Internet and AT&T Internet Air advertise 72-245Mbps and 75-225Mbps, respectively.

Midband 5G is generally resistant to obstacles or destructive weather interference, but congestion may slow speeds. 

T-Mobile notes that Home Internet users might notice slower speeds during congestion compared to other T-Mobile services due to data prioritization.

While network congestion can affect wired options like cable and DSL, fiber internet faces this issue less often.

Most fiber providers use fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) connections, where each home has a dedicated fiber line. 

This setup removes concerns of slowed speeds from congestion or interference. For example, AT&T Fiber, Frontier, and Verizon Fios are confident enough to promise 99.9% reliability on their fiber networks.

Fiber and 5G speeds, costs, and service options

Reliability matters, but there may be other factors when you compare internet services. You’re likely more focused on the speed you’ll get and the price.

Here’s a general overview of fiber and 5G internet options. Remember, speeds and prices, especially for fiber, can change depending on your location and nearby providers.

5G and Fiber Home Internet Comparison

Fiber offers higher speed potential but costs more if you choose ultra-fast, multi-gig speeds. However, don’t let the $900 price tag worry you. Most fiber plans typically cost between $40 and $90 per month.

For 5G, the $35 rate is a bundle discount for eligible Verizon mobile customers on the base plan, which usually starts at $50 monthly. T-Mobile and AT&T Internet Air also provide a 20% discount for eligible mobile users.

If you qualify for these discounts, that’s great. If not, expect to pay around $50 to $70 monthly for 5G home internet.

Unlike fiber, your speed depends on the best available at your address, so the value of your 5G plan will vary based on your connection speed.

5G vs. Fiber Internet Speeds

Fiber internet usually offers several speed options. Quantum Fiber, for instance, provides two main plans: 500Mbps starting at $50 per month and gig service (940Mbps) starting at $75 per month. 

A 200Mbps plan and multi-gigabit options may also be available in some areas. Providers like AT&T, Frontier, and Verizon Fios offer even more choices, with some regions having multi-gigabit speeds of 2Gbps or even 5Gbps (5,000Mbps). 5G home internet still needs to reach these high speeds.

Frontier Fiber Internet Options

5G speeds vary depending on location and distance from the nearest tower or transmitter. Because of this, 5G providers cannot offer the same range of speed options as fiber providers.

T-Mobile has a one-speed tier for 5G home internet, with download speeds between 72Mbps and 245Mbps and upload speeds from 15 to 31Mbps.

Likewise, AT&T Internet Air provides a single speed tier with downloads between 75 and 225Mbps and uploads from 10 to 30Mbps.

AT&T Internet Air Plan Information

Verizon provides two options: 5G Home, with speeds between 50 and 300Mbps, and 5G Home Plus, offering 85 to 1,000Mbps.

In other words, fiber internet is better than 5G for various speed tiers. Also, fiber-to-the-home connections are more reliable than 5G for consistently reaching those speeds.

Price Comparison: 5G vs. Fiber

Unless you qualify for a discount with a mobile bundle, fiber internet plans usually offer more value than 5G when you consider the speed you get for the cost.

For instance, take AT&T Fiber and T-Mobile’s 5G home internet. AT&T Fiber’s lowest plan costs $55 per month, $5 more than T-Mobile’s $50 plan.

However, it delivers faster download and upload speeds and the consistency of a 100% fiber connection.

If you qualify for Verizon’s bundle discount, $35 per month for speeds between 50Mbps and 300Mbps is appealing.

Additionally, $45 per month for speeds from 85Mbps up to 1,000Mbps could be a better option if higher speeds are available at your address.

Still, depending on local providers, fiber could be worth the extra cost. For example, Frontier’s fiber service costs $30 monthly for upload and download speeds up to 200Mbps.

5G Internet vs. Fiber: Equipment, Data Caps, and Contracts

When choosing the best internet provider for your home, consider both speeds and pricing and extra fees and terms like data limits and contract requirements.

Many fiber providers, including AT&T, Frontier, and Verizon Fios, include equipment rental in the monthly price so that you won’t have added costs for the modem or router.

However, some providers, such as Kinetic, may charge around $11 for equipment. 

You can often avoid this fee by using your router or choosing a plan that includes equipment without extra charges. A broadband expert, Joe Supan saved much on his internet costs by using his equipment.

For data caps and contracts, most fiber internet providers offer unlimited data with no contract needed. However, some providers may require a one-year agreement to qualify for discounts or special promotions.

Expect no surprises with 5G service (and that’s good).

5G has a slight edge here. AT&T Air, T-Mobile Home Internet, and Verizon 5G Home Internet offer straightforward pricing and service terms for 5G home internet.

Equipment comes at no added cost, and you get unlimited data without a contract.

There’s also no need to worry about sudden price hikes. Verizon 5G home internet offers a two- or three-year price guarantee, based on the plan.

T-Mobile will cover your final bill if your rate ever goes up, and AT&T Air has no set price increase after 12 months.