T-Mobile is one of the largest, most reliable mobile networks in the United States. Now, the mobile company has expanded to selling high-speed home internet services that run on its vast 5G network.
In today’s world, a strong, fast home internet connection is a necessity. As work and education go increasingly digital, it’s important to choose a reliable broadband internet service that you can trust.
With its straightforward, no-gimmick pricing model and affordable offering, T-Mobile 5G Home Internet offers an attractive package for many homeowners.
T-Mobile Company Overview
Founded in 1994, T-Mobile is the third-largest wireless mobile carrier in the United States. They are headquartered in Bellevue, WA.
T-Mobile started rolling out its 5G wireless network beginning in 2018. In April 2021, T-Mobile launched a nationwide broadband home internet service that runs on 5G. Today, T-Mobile Home Internet has a growing customer base of over 4.2 million customers.
Pros
- No annual contracts
- Unlimited data
- Straightforward, affordable pricing
Cons
- Service can be spotty
- Slow speeds in areas with less coverage
- Offers only one internet plan
Highlights
Available Speeds: 72-245 Mbps download speed / 15-31 Mbps upload speed”
Price Range: $40-60
Data Cap: None
Contract Required: No
BBB Rating: A
The FCC has named T-Mobile Home Internet as one of only 11 internet services with over 5% coverage in the United States. In 2023, T-Mobile was ranked at the top of the American Customer Satisfaction Index for non-fiber internet providers.
Where Is T-Mobile Home Internet Available?
T-Mobile is available in all 50 states, but home internet services and speeds depend on your city and neighborhood signal strength.
The company has rolled out its 5G home internet service on a city-by-city basis. Currently, their coverage map includes over 50 million homes around the country, including rural areas. In fact, over one-third of their customer base lives in rural America.
You can check to see if services are available in your area by entering your home address into the T-Mobile Eligibility Checker on their website.
What Is 5G Home Internet?
T-Mobile Home Internet advertises itself as wireless, 5G internet.
But you may be wondering, what is T-Mobile Home Internet, exactly? How does 5G internet differ from cable or fiber internet, and, most importantly – is it any good?
The core concept of 5G internet is that, unlike with more conventional types of home internet, homeowners do not have to depend on underground wires or structures to get a home internet connection. Instead, 5G home internet is a fixed wireless service that works over the air, via a router connecting to the closest cellular tower.
T-Mobile provides its home internet customers with a 100% wireless gateway that automatically converts nearby cellular signals from T-Mobile’s 5G network (or 4G LTE if 5G is unavailable) into broadband Wi-Fi for your home. In this way, reliable connectivity is achieved, even in rural areas lacking internet infrastructure or where wires can’t reach.
T-Mobile Internet
Unlike most cable internet providers, T-Mobile does not offer multiple plan tiers priced by internet speed. Instead, T-Mobile offers just one 5G home internet plan.
Internet speeds for T-Mobile Internet vary depending on the strength of their 5G or 4G LTE network in your area. Broadband speeds typically range from 72-245 Mbps download speed and 15-31 Mbps upload speed.
How Much Does T-Mobile Home Internet Cost?
T-Mobile Home Internet costs $60 per month, and internet speeds vary depending on signal strength in your area. However, T-Mobile customers with phone service can get discounts on their monthly 5G internet bill.
| Plan Name | Monthly Price | Speeds (Download/Upload) | Data Cap | Contract Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Internet Only | $60 | 72-245 Mbps / 15-31 Mbps | None | No |
| With Voice Line | $50 | 72-245 Mbps / 15-31 Mbps | None | No |
| With Premium Plan | $40 | 72-245 Mbps / 15-31 Mbps | None | No |
Internet Only – $60/month
The basic T-Mobile Home Internet plan costs $60 per month, for internet only. This is for new customers who add only home internet to their plan.
T-Mobile customers – $50/month with any voice line
T-Mobile customers who bundle internet with a voice line can get 5G internet for $50 per month. This is for customers who purchase a Go5G, Magenta®, or Essentials phone plan along with home internet.
T-Mobile customers – $40/month with Go5G Next, Go5G Plus or Magenta® MAX phone plan
Customers who purchase a Go5G Next, Go5G Plus, or Magenta® MAX phone plan can get a Home Internet plan for just $40 per month.
All T-Mobile internet customers get a 5G Wi-Fi Gateway device included, along with free 2-day shipping. There are no contracts, data caps, or equipment fees for T-Mobile Home Internet.
T-Mobile also offers a 15-day trial period through its Test Drive program, so you can get your money back if you aren’t satisfied with their home internet service after a few weeks.
Installation
With T-Mobile Home Internet, self-installation is easy. There is no professional installation option.
Since 5G internet works by connecting your internet gateway to local cellular signals, T-Mobile Home Internet installation is much less complicated than with a traditional cable internet company. There are no cables, and no technicians required.
After you sign up for a T-Mobile internet plan, your 5G Gateway will be shipped to your home. Once it arrives, you just need to plug it in and download the free T-Mobile Internet app. The app will walk you through a few simple setup steps. In just minutes, your home Wi-Fi connection will be ready to go.
Keep in mind that while equipment is free, T-Mobile does charge a one-time device connection charge of $35 when you install your T-Mobile gateway.
Equipment
The only equipment needed to set up T-Mobile Home Internet is their 5G Wi-Fi Gateway, which is included with any plan. The T-Mobile gateway is a 2-in-1 router and modem that automatically converts the closest 5G or 4G LTE signals into W-Fi for your home.
It is smaller than a football in size. Once you purchase a T-Mobile Home Internet plan, a gateway will be shipped out to your home, free of charge, and arrive in 2 days.
T-Mobile Lite
What Is T-Mobile Internet Lite?
T-Mobile Internet Lite is a service for T-Mobile customers who live in a region where T-Mobile Home Internet is not available yet. Anyone who can get T-Mobile cell service where they live is eligible to get Home Internet Lite.
| Data Allowance | Monthly Price |
|---|---|
| 100 GB | $50 |
| 150 GB | $75 |
| 200 GB | $100 |
| 300 GB | $150 |
T-Mobile Internet Lite customers can get Wi-Fi anywhere that the T-Mobile 5G or 4G LTE network is available, without being tied to any specific location. However, unlike the regular, unlimited T-Mobile Home Internet service, Internet Lite has data caps. Once T-Mobile Home Internet is available for their address, Lite customers can upgrade to unlimited at no extra cost.
Starting at $50 per month for 100GB, there are 4 data bucketed plans that customers can choose from. The different data tiers are priced as follows:
- 100 GB – $50/month
- 150 GB – $75/month
- 200 GB – $100/month
- 300 GB – $150/month
Once your monthly data allotment is used up, internet speeds will be significantly slowed. You cannot roll over unused data to the next month.
T-Mobile will notify you via email and your router once you are at 80% of your data allotment for the month, and again at 100% You can upgrade your plan at any time through the T-Mobile app.
If you already have the highest-tier 300 GB plan and need more data, monthly data passes can be purchased. The prices are as follows:
- 10 GB Lite Data Pass ($10 per line)
- 25 GB Lite Data Pass ($20 per line)
How To Sign Up for T-Mobile Home Internet
To sign up for T-Mobile Home Internet, you will first need to check to make sure the 5G wireless service is available in your area. Enter your home address into the Eligibility Checker. If your address is eligible, then you can follow the online sign-up steps to purchase a T-Mobile 5G internet plan.
Once you sign up, a T-Mobile 5G Wi-Fi Gateway will be sent to your home, free of charge and with free, 2-day shipping included. When it arrives, follow the app instructions to get set up in minutes. There is a one-time $35 device connection charge when you self-install your service.
How To Contact / Get Tech Support
If you need assistance with your T-Mobile Home Internet service, there are many resources at your disposal to get the help you require.
First, the answers to many questions you may have can be found on the T-Mobile Support page. There is also a T-Mobile Community forum, where you can ask questions and get answers from other members and T-Mobile employees.
If you need to speak with a T-Mobile customer service agent, then you can do so by calling one of these phone numbers:
📞 T-Mobile Home Internet Sales Support: 1-844-839-5057
📞 T-Mobile Home Internet Tech Support: 1-844-275-9310
T-Mobile customer service is available 24/7.
T-Mobile Internet App
T-Mobile Home Internet customers get free access to the T-Mobile Internet App. It can be downloaded through the Google Play or the Apple App Store.
The T-Mobile Internet App is used to set up your home connection in just minutes. Once you are connected, you can also manage your Wi-Fi network and view/change gateway settings using your mobile device.
To do so, you must be logged in and connected to your gateway over Wi-Fi. Only one device can use the app at a time.
How To Cancel T-Mobile Home Internet Service
To cancel T-Mobile Home Internet, you must contact T-Mobile customer service. Since there are no annual contracts, there is no fee for canceling. However, you must be sure to return your T-Mobile 5G gateway within 15 days, otherwise you may be fined a late charge.
To return your T-Mobile equipment, you can either drop it off at a T-Mobile store or ask customer service to send you a prepaid label so that you can return via mail.
Can you move T-Mobile Home Internet?
If you need to cancel your T-Mobile Home Internet service because you are moving, then you may want to check to see if you can transfer your service to your new address instead. T-Mobile makes transferring home internet to a new residency simple and easy.
Call 1-855-533-5933 to find out if your new address is eligible. There is no cost for transferring your service.
Is T-Mobile Home Internet Right for Me?
T-Mobile Home Internet offers a one-size-fits-all internet plan that uses 5G signals to deliver high-speed internet to millions of homes around the country. Their 5G internet plan is affordable and straightforward – with no contracts, hidden fees, or data cap.
5G internet has an advantage in that it does not rely on wires or cable infrastructures to deliver reliable Wi-Fi services. So, it is available even in places like rural areas where cable or fiber internet is not as robust.
However, one downside to 5G internet is that internet speeds greatly vary depending on how strong T-Mobile’s 4G LTE or 5G network is in your area. So, some users may get fast internet speeds, while others only get average, at best.
So, what’s the verdict? Is T-Mobile Home Internet good, and should you consider it for your home internet provider?
T-Mobile Home Internet may be the best option if you live in an area with a strong T-Mobile cellular signal or where DSL/satellite internet is your only other option. By comparison, T-Mobile 5G internet may deliver blazing fast speeds compared to other rural internet providers.
But, if you live somewhere with a weaker T-Mobile signal or where faster speeds are offered by other cable internet – or especially fiber internet – companies in your area, you should look elsewhere for your internet provider. T-Mobile’s internet offering cannot compare to the lightning-fast speeds available with fiber internet, like ATT Fiber or Verizon Fios, and many cable internet companies like Xfinity may be able to offer a better bang for your buck.
Before you decide if T-Mobile Home Internet is the best fit for your home, take some time to compare the 5G internet company against other cable and fiber internet providers available in your area. Be sure to check out our in-depth reviews of the best internet providers to see how different ISPs in your area stack up against each other.
