The world of home internet is on the cusp of major disruption with the rollout of 5G technology. Offering lightning-fast speeds over a wireless connection, 5G home internet promises near fiber-optic performance without installation headaches. Verizon is one of the major carriers at the forefront, with its Verizon 5G Home Internet service now available in parts of over 900 cities.
But is Verizon’s wireless home internet service ready for prime time? This Verizon 5G Home Internet Review review will analyze speeds, pricing, availability, and other key factors to determine if it’s a viable cable or fiber alternative.
Pros & Cons – Verizon 5G Home Internet
Key positives and downsides with Verizon’s fledgling 5G home offering:
Pros
- Impressively fast wireless speeds
- Simple, affordable pricing
- No contracts or data caps
- Generous bundling discounts
- Quick plug-and-play setup
Cons
- Limited availability
- Early stage reliability concerns
- Customer support mediocrity
- Speeds vary upon location
A Quick Primer on 5G Home Internet
Before diving into the specifics around Verizon’s offering, let’s step back briefly to understand 5G technology and why it has the potential to shake up the home internet market.
5G utilizes a new radio technology to achieve much faster speeds and lower latency than previous cellular networks like 4G LTE. Download speeds can theoretically reach up to 10 Gbps, versus hundreds of Mbps for 4G.
To attain these blazing fast speeds, 5G relies on using very high frequency radio waves in what’s known as the mmWave spectrum. The tradeoff is that these mmWave signals don’t travel far and can be impacted by obstacles.
That’s why 5G deployments utilize other lower frequency bands to provide wider coverage. The result is that 5G performance can vary – from near gigabit speeds in optimal conditions down to 4G LTE levels in fringe areas.
This technology allows carriers like Verizon to offer fixed wireless home internet without needing to run fiber cables to every house. Instead, homes connect to nearby cell towers through an outdoor receiver.
Performance depends greatly on having a strong 5G signal. As such, availability is limited primarily to major metropolitan regions in early stages. But the potential to rapidly expand and compete with wired options makes 5G home internet one of the most exciting internet developments in years!
Verizon 5G Home Internet Speeds & Performance
So what type of real-world performance should you expect with Verizon 5G for home internet service?
According to Verizon, customers can expect download speeds ranging from 50 Mbps up to 300 Mbps on average. Peak speeds could reach up to an impressive 1 Gbps (1000 Mbps) in optimal signal conditions.
That handily beats the maximum rates offered by many cable internet providers. Of course, your actual speeds will depend on the 5G coverage quality in your area.
Early customer speed tests validate Verizon’s claims, with users reporting typical download rates in the 200 to 450 Mbps range – plenty fast for most households.
Upload speeds are more modest at just 5-50 Mbps but still on par with cable internet. Latency also remains quite low due to 5G’s performance advantages.
One issue reported by some users is bufferbloat during maxed out uploads. This leads to temporary dips in download speeds. However, it likely won’t impact most moderate home usage.
All told, Verizon 5G Home Internet delivers solid wireless performance that should satisfy many households. But reliability issues remain…
Reliability Concerns
While speeds tests look great when connections remain solid, some early Verizon 5G users have reported frustrating reliability problems leading to intermittent drops.
Potential causes could include finicky mmWave signals, tower congestion as subscriber counts grow or even firmware bugs. Issues seem most prevalent with the external antennas used to link with cell towers.
Whatever the exact culprit, having to frequently reboot your router to restore connectivity is far from ideal. And troubleshooting fickle wireless signals can be challenging for customers.
Hopefully Verizon can address these lingering technical problems plaguing some 5G home internet subscribers. Because when connections remain stable, performance is quite satisfying. But lackluster reliability remains an Achilles’ heel – at least in these early stages.
Verizon 5G Home Internet Pricing & Plans
When it comes to monthly pricing, Verizon keeps things pleasingly simple with no hidden fees:
- Verizon 5G Home – $50/month (with Auto Pay), speeds up to 300 Mbps
- Verizon 5G Home Plus – $70/month (with Auto Pay), speeds up to 1 Gbps
Even better, qualifying Verizon wireless customers can take $15-25 off their monthly bill, bringing costs down to just $25-35.
Both plans include the gateway modem, unlimited data, all equipment, taxes and installation. No extra hardware fees, data overage charges or other nonsense. And you can cancel anytime without early termination fees.
Bundling with Verizon mobile services nets the biggest savings. But even at full price, costs compare very favorably against most cable or DSL providers while delivering faster speeds.
Equipment, Installation & Account Setup
Another big perk over going the traditional wired route is Verizon 5G Home Internet’s plug-and-play wireless equipment.
The provider ships out a sleek gateway modem/router combo unit that customers self-install by placing near a window or exterior wall with good 5G signal reception.
Setting up your new WiFi network is a cinch with Verizon’s smartphone app walking you through the process. No waiting around for a technician installation appointment.
However, a few users have reported frustrations getting their Verizon online account established. Make sure to follow all steps precisely when registering equipment and linking accounts to avoid headaches.
Is Verizon 5G Available At Your Address?
Here’s the catch though – even if Verizon advertises 5G Home Internet in your city, serviceability depends greatly on your proximity to local 5G cell towers.
Verizon continues expanding availability, now covering around 40 million households across 34 states. But most regions are limited to major metropolitan locations where infrastructure is most built out.
Partial snapshot of Verizon 5G availability map
You’ll need to enter your address on Verizon’s website to check qualification. Even some users in “covered” areas get dismayed to find 5G Home not yet reachable. Building penetration and line-of-sight obstructions affect signals.
So potential subscribers must temper expectations until broadband coverage expands further across suburban and rural regions. But network progress is occuring rapidly.
Customer Service Overview
Speaking of tempered expectations, it’s best not to anticipate exceptionally polished customer support this early in Verizon’s wireless home internet rollout.
Being on the leading edge of new technology naturally involves some growing pains. Most user complaints seem tied to reliability issues and the aforementioned account signup problems.
When problems do arise, Verizon support forums and Reddit threads reveal mixed results getting satisfactory resolutions with customer service. Wireless diagnostics seem limited.
That said, growing competition in this home internet space will hopefully press Verizon to smooth out common trouble areas – improving assistance for solving technical problems that arise with finicky 5G signals.
Competitive Landscape
When compared to competitors like T-Mobile, Verizon’s 5G Home Internet distinguishes itself with potentially higher maximum speeds and a growing coverage area. However, T-Mobile’s broader coverage, particularly in rural areas, and a more straightforward single-plan offering might make it a more viable option for a wider audience.
See also:
- Why Does My Verizon Router Have a Yellow Light? Causes and Fixes
- Why is My Verizon Router Blinking Blue? Causes and Fixes
- Understanding & Fixing Verizon Router Red Light Issue
- Fixing A Blinking White Light On Your Verizon Router
- How to Reset a Verizon Router? – (Soft and Factory Reset)
The Verdict? Worth Considering with Realistic Expectations
For city dwellers frustrated by cable monoplies or sluggish DSL, Verizon 5G Home Internet brings tantalizing wireless performance at a fair price…if you can get a solid 5G signal.
Rural subscribers outside major metro zones still face an availability waiting game. And early reliability hiccups must get rectified before wireless can fully rival fiber or cable.
But with cost savings over wired options, easy setup and blazing fast 5G speeds where signals permit, Verizon’s wireless home solution makes for an appealing test case if available in your area. Just temper expectations until infrastructure builds out further.
As this bold 5G experiment continues unfolding, Verizon finds itself well positioned to capitalize if technical limitations get addressed. For now, cautious optimism seems warranted as wireless home internet dreams inch closer to fruition!
FAQs
What is Verizon 5G Home Internet?
Verizon 5G Home Internet is a fixed wireless home internet service that provides high-speed internet over Verizon’s 5G cellular network.
How fast is Verizon 5G Home Internet?
Verizon advertises typical download speeds of 300 Mbps for 5G Home and up to 1 Gbps for 5G Home Plus, making it very fast.
What is the price of Verizon 5G Home Internet?
Plans start at $50/month for 5G Home and $70/month for 5G Home Plus, with discounts available for bundling with Verizon wireless plans.
Does Verizon 5G Home Internet have data caps?
No, Verizon 5G Home Internet plans come with unlimited data.
Does Verizon 5G Home Internet require a contract?
No, Verizon 5G Home Internet is contract-free and can be cancelled at any time.
What equipment do you need for Verizon 5G Home Internet?
Verizon provides a free 5G gateway modem and router to customers, with optional WiFi extenders available.
How do you set up Verizon 5G Home Internet?
Setup is quick and wireless using Verizon’s smartphone app. No professional installation is required.
Is self-installation hard to do?
No, the setup process is very easy and takes around 15 minutes or less typically. Instructions are provided.
Is Verizon 5G Home Internet available in rural areas?
Currently Verizon 5G Home Internet is focused more on major metro areas and availability is limited in rural regions.
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