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Is 5G Home Internet Service Faster Than Regular Wi-Fi?

3 min read
For anyone who owns a phone, laptop, smart TV, or other connected device (which is pretty much all of us), the term 5G seems to be everywhere. While the average person knows that 5G might have something to do with fast internet, they're a little fuzzy about the details. 
A person using their fast 5G home internet on a tablet.

As we're just starting to wrap our heads around 5G and what it all means—we begin hearing about 5G home internet, leading to even more questions:

  • What is 5G?
  • How does Wi-Fi play a role?
  • What is Wi-Fi 6?
  • How does 5G home internet work?

We've put together this guide to give you a quick 101 on 5G, Wi-Fi, and Wi-Fi 6 and how it all plays a role.

What is 5G?

Simply put, 5G is the next generation of wireless technology and it’s causing quite a stir as the newest global standard in a long line of wireless networks, including 1G, 2G, 3G, and 4G1.

How does Wi-Fi play a role?

Wi-Fi and 5G are actually two different things that can work together to address the problems that come with trying to use a lot of connected devices within a densely packed area.

Wi-Fi is a term used to describe a local area network (LAN). These networks are used to fill spaces, like our homes, with internet access. While free public Wi-Fi is out there, the signal is usually very weak. That’s why we pay our internet service providers to provide both the internet and routers to fill our homes with Wi-Fi. Common problems with the previous iteration of Wi-Fi (Wi-Fi 5), such as slow internet, would often arise when too many devices in our home are connected to the same band.

What is Wi-Fi 6?

In order to contend with the growing number2 of connected devices we use, Wi-Fi 6 arrived3. But things could always be faster. That’s where the idea of pairing Wi-Fi 6 and 5G comes into play.

To access Wi-Fi 6 and 5G technology, you’ll need a gateway. This device acts as a combination router and modem that connects your home to both the internet and to the 5G network. If your devices—such as smartphones—support 5G technology, you’ll have access to next-generation 5G download speeds, as well as the bandwidth of Wi-Fi 6.

How does 5G home internet work?

Together, 5G and Wi-Fi 6 technologies have made wireless 5G home internet an option for today's connected families4. Merging today's 5G networks with Wi-Fi 6 technology offers a new choice for consumers. And as 5G becomes more widely available, many are hoping that the dream of "cutting the cord" with their cable providers will finally become a reality.

T-Mobile is America’s fastest growing 5G Home Internet provider. See if it's available in your area now and then find a plan that's right for you.

  1. https://bipartisanpolicy.org/blog/cellular-data-and-digital-divide/
  2. https://money.cnn.com/2014/02/28/technology/mobile/mobile-apps-internet/
  3. https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-368593A1.pdf
  4. https://www2.deloitte.com/xe/en/insights/industry/technology/technology-media-and-telecom-predictions/2022/wifi6-vs-5g-essential-partners-in-the-next-generation.html