While the mobile market has been buzzing about 5G for what seems like forever, the “future of wireless” is also shaking up the internet world. Much safer than public wi-fi and easier to access than traditional cable or fiber optic networks, 5G internet is a non-wired solution that millions of consumers swear by. But is it the right choice for you? We’ll help you decide by taking a close look at the highly-rated 5G Home Internet from Verizon—one of the nation’s leading mobile and internet providers. From how it works to what it costs and how it compares to traditional internet options, and why it may be a good fit for you.
Highlights |
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Verizon 5G Home Internet |
Ultrafast, reliable internet to power your whole home and lots of devices |
No annual contracts, extra fees, data overages or equipment charges |
Service price guaranteed for up to three years |
Partial reimbursement of other providers’ early termination fees |
Simple self set-up and 30 days support included |
What is Verizon 5G Home Internet?
Determined to usher in the era of 5G, Verizon has been leading the pack to bring this technology to the masses. And with the introduction of their high-performing 5G Ultra Wideband, their 5G Home Internet plan is a smart wireless solution that makes it easy to connect multiple devices within minutes—no installation needed.
Rather than traditional cables or fiber optic networks connecting your home to the internet, your home will access the internet via a complimentary receiver that picks up Verizon’s signal from a nearby 5G cell tower and broadcasts it throughout your home as a Wi-Fi network.
With very high capacity and very low lag-time, Verizon 5G Home Internet enables you to smoothly stream video, video chat and game. It’s conveniently priced with no annual contracts or data caps, and all taxes and fees are included so pricing is comprehensive and transparent.
PROS:
- Quick plug-and-play installation
- Impressive download speeds of up to 1 Gig
- Transparent pricing and plan structure
- No annual contracts or data caps
- Zero equipment fees or early termination fees
- Guaranteed pricing for up to three years
- Internet for as low as $25/month (for current Verizon 5G mobile customers)
- 24/7 access to award-winning customer service
CONS:
- Coverage limited to areas with access to 5G cell towers
- Dependent on signal strength and router location
- Slower upload speeds than fiber (but similar to cable)
Verizon 5G Home Coverage
While their flagship internet service—Verizon Fios—is only available to customers in select metro cities in the New England and mid-Atlantic region, the company aims to expand their internet coverage nationally with their other offerings like 5G Home.
And since 5G Home doesn’t rely on cable or fiber networks, it can often reach people in hard-to-access areas. On the other hand, coverage requires certain proximity to Verizon’s 5G cell towers and a strong, steady signal, with service currently available in over 30 cities nationwide.
Verizon makes it easy to confirm if your address is eligible for 5G Home right on their website—you can take a look at their coverage map and enter your address to see if 5G Home is available in your area.
Verizon 5G Home Plans
Verizon sticks to their standard of providing hassle-free, clear pricing and easy-to-understand plans with 5G Home. Customers can choose between two plan options:
Verizon 5G Home
- Wireless home internet through Verizon’s fast and powerful 5G Ultra Wideband
- Download speeds of 85 to 300 Mbps
- Wi-Fi 6 router and 5G Ultra Wideband receiver included
- Plug-and-play set-up with professional support if needed
- No annual contracts, data caps or hidden fees
- Two-year price guarantee
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50 percent off monthly plan cost for eligible Verizon Mobile 5G customers*
- $25 per month when using Auto-Pay for existing mobile 5G users
- $50 per month when using Auto-Pay ($60/month without Auto-Pay)
Verizon 5G Home Plus
- Everything in the 5G Home plan, plus the best perks and longest guarantees
- Download speeds of 300 to 1,000 Mbps
- Free storage space on Verizon Cloud Unlimited—a $19.99/month value
- Bonus gifts like an Xbox Series S Console or $200 Home Depot gift card*
- Three-year price guarantee
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50 percent off monthly plan cost for eligible Verizon Mobile 5G customers*
- $35 per month when using Auto-Pay for existing mobile 5G users
- $70 per month when using Auto-Pay ($80/month without Auto-Pay)
Verizon 5G Home Internet Incentives
In addition to offering an impressive 50 percent monthly discount for current Verizon Mobile users who have a qualifying 5G plan (5G Play More, 5G Do More or 5G Get More), plus a $10 Auto-Pay discount for everyone else, Verizon offers lots of perks for new customers.*
Customers switching from another carrier can get up to $500 from Verizon (in the form of bill credit) to help cover any early termination fees.
Verizon also offers a 30-day satisfaction guarantee for all 5G Home internet subscribers. If you’re unhappy for any reason with your service, you can cancel within 30 days of activation to get a refund of the service charge (you’ll need to return the equipment as well).
And unlike other carriers, Verizon doesn’t require annual contracts, charge early termination or equipment fees, or hike the prices up after the first year.
*At the time this review was written; prices and promotions subject to change.
Verizon 5G Home Internet Speed
While fixed wireless networks have been known to be much slower than wired cable or fiber connections, Verizon’s 5G home is challenging the status quo when it comes to speed.
While speeds may differ based on your signal strength and distance to the closest cell tower, Verizon’s 5G Home internet is more than able to provide super fast service to customers in their coverage area looking to stream, game or work remotely.
In some available areas, Verizon’s 5G Home Plus plan can deliver download speeds of up to 1 Gig, while max download speeds on their standard 5G Home plan are closer to 300 Mbps. Similar to the more traditional wired options, upload speeds lag behind a bit at up to 50 Mbps.
Verizon 5G Home Internet Customer Service
Verizon’s customer service is hailed as one of the best in the business. And 5G Home customers have access to that 24/7 support through live chat and a robust support/FAQ section on the website, the My Verizon App, or by calling 1-800-922-0204.
Comparing Verizon 5G Home Internet to Other Providers
If you like what you’ve seen so far, but you’d still like to see how Verizon 5G Home internet compares to the competition, we have you covered:
Verizon 5G Home Internet vs. Spectrum
As two of the biggest players in the internet services sector, it’s no secret why customers are often trying to choose between Verizon and Spectrum. But the biggest difference in this match-up is that Verizon 5G Home Internet is delivered via a fixed wireless connection that uses a router that receives signals from the closest 5G tower, while Spectrum connects customers through a hybrid system of fiber and cable wires. While both companies tout similar download speeds and no annual contracts or data caps, Spectrum more closely aligns with the service and plan structure of Verizon Fios, featuring three plans versus the two plans from 5G Home. But if you happen to already have a Verizon mobile 5G plan and live within the service area for Verizon 5G Home internet, it’s hard to beat paying $25 a month for a similar service to Spectrum without any wires or installation needed.
Verizon 5G Home Internet vs. T-Mobile
While 5G continues to gain momentum for the next phase of wireless connectivity, Verizon and T-Mobile are arguably the providers putting in the most effort to expand the technology for home internet use. With both providers offering fixed wireless internet service plans, Verizon 5G Home Internet far outperforms T-Mobile Home Internet when it comes to speed, delivering max download speeds between 300 Mbps to 1 Gig (vs 33 to 182 Mbps from T-Mobile). T-Mobile comes out on top when talking coverage with the widest reach of any fixed wireless internet provider, serving customers in more rural areas while Verizon 5G Home Internet is still working to catch up. And since both providers offer special pricing for current mobile subscribers, plus no hidden fees or data caps, customers who reside in an area where these services overlap might select Verizon 5G Home simply based on speed.
Bottom Line: Why We Love It
For customers living within areas lacking access to high-speed cable or fiber internet access, or those simply wanting a more cost-effective, installation-free network, Verizon 5G Home Internet is an attractive alternative quickly gaining attention. Its impressive speed, upfront pricing and promotions, plus easy wireless setup that can get you connected in just minutes makes it especially appealing. And if you’re already a Verizon mobile customer with a 5G plan, you can add on 5G Home internet for a steal at $25 a month—a price you don’t typically see for these speeds and service. Considering it’s also backed by the highest-rated customer service in the industry and it’s free from the typical headache-inducing pricing and contract circus typical of other internet providers, it’s clear to see why customers are cutting the cord for internet and switching to a fixed wireless network like Verizon 5G Home.
FAQ
How fast is Verizon 5G Home Internet?
Verizon 5G Home delivers super fast speeds, especially for a fixed wireless network. Their standard 5G Home internet plan averages max download speeds up to 300 mbps, while the 5G Home Plus plan can reach impressive max download speeds of up to 1,000 mbps. Similar to cable, 5G Home upload speeds lag behind with up to 50 mbps. It’s important to note that speed will be relative to your specific location since 5G Home relies on signals from a nearby cell tower.
Where is Verizon 5G Home Internet available?
5G Home Internet is available to about 40 million customers nationwide; the caveat being that coverage is limited to addresses within a certain distance to one of their 5G cell towers. While the company is constantly working to expand that coverage by pushing forward 5G technology, access is not only determined by proximity, but also signal strength, so it’s best to check your address directly on their website to confirm if your specific location is eligible for 5G Home internet.
Is Verizon 5G Home Internet good?
With comparable download speeds and the ability to manage multiple devices simultaneously, Verizon 5G Home Internet is an attractive option for customers who want similar service as cable internet without the wires. Eligible customers can get connected in mere minutes with a wireless home router (minus any extra equipment fees apply). And with no hidden fees, data caps or annual contracts, Verizon 5G Home is a low-risk, high-reward choice for most people exploring wireless internet options. Since 5G Home relies on signal strength from a nearby cell tower, it can sometimes be affected by high-traffic or weather-related issues, which are less common with traditional wired networks.
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