Best internet providers Cheap internet Best internet deals High speed internet

Home Internet

Obituaries Contributor Content
Home Internet

T-Mobile Home Internet: Fast, convenient, affordable

Updated 10:10 am ET Jun 11

X Logo

Editorial note: This post may contain links to offers and services from which Allconnect receives a commission. The partners and associated compensation do not affect our editorial integrity. Read more about our advertising policy.

ferrantraite, Getty Images

T-Mobile home internet is easy to set up and has no contracts, data caps or equipment fees. Prices start at $40/mo. when you bundle internet with a T-Mobile wireless plan. T-Mobile has been available in rural and urban areas nationwide since 2019.

T-Mobile 5G Home Internet review

Overall score: 4.1 out of 5.

T-Mobile 5G Home Internet is simple and straightforward, with one unlimited internet plan and no hidden fees. Here’s what you need to know:

  • Connection type: T-Mobile is 5G internet, a type of fixed wireless service that relays the internet over a network of cell towers.
  • Speed: The average T-Mobile 5G internet user will experience speeds under 245 Mbps, with a median speed of 188.96, according to Speedtest.net
  • Value: While T-Mobile’s internet is not as fast as other connection types, like fiber-optic internet or cable, the provider offers great value because of its flexibility, availability and generous promotions. 

Keep reading for a full T-Mobile internet review, including cost, fees, speeds, and more.

T-Mobile 5G pros and cons

Thumbs up
Pros
  • No contracts and unlimited data.

  • Retail discounts, gift cards and free streaming available.

  • Wi-Fi device shipped to your home in two days.

Thumbs Down
Cons
  • Top internet speed is less than 300 Mbps.

  • Slower speeds when the T-Mobile network is crowded.

  • Monthly price is the same regardless of your speed.

Who should purchase T-Mobile 5G Home Internet?

T-Mobile 5G internet is a great fit if you want to set up internet quickly without waiting for a technician visit. T-Mobile’s speeds are best for homes with around five connected devices that do streaming, web browsing, remote work, school or even gaming (but keep in mind that connecting too many devices could cause a temporary degradation of speed). T-Mobile 5G is also a good match if you are a T-Mobile wireless customer since you can bundle your phone and internet services for a discounted rate.

How we reviewed T-Mobile

T-Mobile 5G Home Internet earned a 4.1 out of 5. To determine the score, we examined T-Mobile 5G Home Internet plans with a focus on costs, fees, speeds and availability. Other details that factored into our T-Mobile review included T-Mobile deals, bundle offers and customer satisfaction. We also did a comparative analysis of other internet connection types and providers to gauge relative quality.

Price analysis: T-Mobile’s monthly price was about $10 more compared to providers like Spectrum, Verizon Fios and Xfinity, which all start at $49.99/mo. or less.

Speed comparison: T-Mobile’s fastest internet speed is lower than top cable or fiber connections speeds, which can be up to 8 GB. It is also slower than other 5G providers like Verizon 5G and Starry Internet 5G, which have top speeds of 1 GB. 

Availability and fees: T-Mobile Wi-Fi has more nationwide availability than any cable, fiber or 5G provider and doesn’t tack on a lot of extra expenses, making it a popular choice.

T-Mobile internet pricing and speed

PlanStarting price*Download/Upload speeds
T-Mobile 5G Home (standalone internet)$60/mo.Up to 245 Mbps/20 Mbps
*Pricing per month plus taxes for length of contract. Additional fees and terms may apply. Pricing varies by location and availability. All prices subject to change at any time. May or may not be available based on service address. Price may include autopay and paperless billing discounts. Speeds may vary. As of 1/18/24.

T-Mobile 5G Home Internet has one internet only plan: Unlimited internet with home Wi-Fi for $60/mo. The plan has download and upload speeds of up to 245 Mbps and 20 Mbps, respectively. 

Internet speed: These download speeds mean activities such as gaming, streaming and browsing will work great as long as you don’t connect an excessive number of Wi-Fi devices. Using more than five devices could lower the internet speed across all devices. Still, T-Mobile’s 20 Mbps upload is double the speed many cable internet providers offer, meaning uploading photos, video and files should be swift on this 5G network. 

Straightforward pricing: Since T-Mobile keeps the plan structure simple, it’s easy to get the best price without haggling or compromising on quality. The only way to get a cheaper internet price is by bundling with a T-Mobile wireless plan. Adding a phone line saves $10–$20/mo. based on the mobile plan you select. 

Free equipment: The T-Mobile gateway — a 5G modem and router — is included at no additional cost. The free equipment is a great cost savings compared to many other ISPs that charge $5–$15/mo. The gateway is also mailed to your home with free shipping. 

Start-up fees: Be prepared for a $35 activation fee when starting T-Mobile Wi-Fi service. T-Mobile may also require a deposit, depending on the results of the preliminary credit check. 

Free installation: To set up the internet service, just plug in the equipment and follow the installation guide within the T-Mobile app. This easy and free installation saves you time and money because you can skip the hassle of scheduling around work commitments.

T-Mobile Home Internet availability and coverage

T-Mobile availability reaches parts of all 50 states and covers over 60% of the U.S., according to the FCC. This reach makes it one of the most widely available ISPs in the country, besides Xfinity. Because T-Mobile uses cell towers to transmit internet signals, it doesn’t rely on infrastructure like cable or fiber lines that can take years to install. Additionally, T-Mobile has acquired several other cellular networks in recent years and offers rural internet in many areas. These factors have added to T-Mobile’s ability to swiftly expand its coverage area.

If you’re shopping for internet deals, there’s a good chance T-Mobile will be available at your location.

T-Mobile 5G Home internet perks and promotions

  • Up to $750 toward ETFs: If you are in a contract with your current internet provider, switch to T-Mobile Home Internet and get a prepaid MasterCard to cover any ETFs. You must be in good standing with your previous provider for at least 90 days and submit proof of ETF within 60 days of activating your T-Mobile service.
  • 15-day money-back guarantee: T-Mobile’s 15-day Test Drive allows you to get your money back if you cancel in the first 15 days. You must return your equipment within 45 days of canceling.
  • Free streaming services: Netflix and Apple TV+ with qualifying bundles. 
  • Tuesday perks: Download the T-Mobile app for weekly discounts or freebies on gas, local food and entertainment.
  • Bundling discounts: Save $10–$20/mo. on internet when you add wireless service.

Methodology

We rated the largest internet providers in the U.S. for 2024. Each provider was rated on a scale of 1 to 5 based on over a dozen factors, including speed, cost, availability, fees, customer satisfaction, connection type and more. We also used data from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to compare the average speed offered by internet companies in the U.S. to set a baseline for what is considered a good internet speed. Additionally, we analyzed data from the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) to understand how each internet service provider (ISP) fares in customer service and perceived value.  

T-Mobile Internet and cell phone deals

PlanStarting price*Download/Upload speedsStandard rate*
T-Mobile 5G Home with Go5G, Magenta or Essentials voice$50/mo.Up to 245 Mbps/20 Mbps$50/mo.
T-Mobile 5G Home with Go5G Next, Go5G Plus or Magenta MAX voice$40/mo.Up to 245 Mbps/20 Mbps$40/mo.
*Pricing per month plus taxes for length of contract. Additional fees and terms may apply. Pricing varies by location and availability. All prices subject to change at any time. May or may not be available based on service address. Price may include autopay and paperless billing discounts. Speeds may vary. As of 1/18/24.

T-Mobile 5G Home Internet doesn’t require a T-Mobile cell phone plan, but you can get a cheaper internet price if you are a T-Mobile wireless customer. T-Mobile bundle deals can save you $240 a year on internet service. Consider a phone and internet bundle if you are already a T-Mobile cellular customer or are considering switching your cell phone to the network, as well. Here are the T-Mobile 5G Home Internet and cell phone bundle deals: 

  • Save $20/mo. Combine T-Mobile unlimited home internet with Go5G Next, Go5G Plus or Magenta MAX voice line. 
  • Save $10/mo. Combine T-Mobile unlimited home internet with Go5G, Magenta or Essentials voice line. These phone plans have slightly fewer perks than the Next, Plus and MAX phone plans, such as monthly data limits between 50–100 GB, less video streaming quality and less hotspot data.

T-Mobile 5G Home Internet vs. other internet providers

T-Mobile is a solid choice for no-contract home internet. The best internet provider for you will depend on your ideal internet speed and budget. The following table compares the advantages and disadvantages of T-Mobile 5G Home Internet to cable, fiber, DSL and satellite internet connections.

PlanSpeedCost*Connection type
T-Mobile 5G Home InternetUp to 245 Mbps$60/mo.5G
Spectrum100–1,000 Mbps$29.99–$89.99/mo.Cable
Xfinity50–6,000 Mbps$9.95–$299.95/mo.Cable
Verizon Fios300–940 Mbps$49.99–$89.99/mo.Fiber
Hughesnet25–100 Mbps$49.99–$79.99/mo.Satellite
*Pricing per month plus taxes for length of contract. Additional fees and terms may apply. Pricing varies by location and availability. All prices subject to change at any time. May or may not be available based on service address. Price may include autopay and paperless billing discounts. Speeds may vary. As of 1/18/24.

The best internet provider for you will depend on your budget and ideal internet speed. T-Mobile is a solid choice for no-contract home internet, and it also has no ETFs, equipment fees or data caps. However, T-Mobile speeds max out at 245 Mbps and can be inconsistent.

Here’s how other ISPs compare: 

  • Spectrum: Like T-Mobile, cable connections like Spectrum have fast, reliable speeds, broad coverage areas and unlimited data. Spectrum has free installation and a complimentary modem but charges a $5/mo. wireless router fee. Unlike T-Mobile, Spectrum offers several plan options, up to 1 GB. 
  • Xfinity: Compared to T-Mobile, Xfinity has cheaper plans, and deals may include a contract with ETFs. Xfinity packages have a sharp price increase after promotions, but prices are guaranteed for up to 2 years.
  • Verizon Fios: Verizon Fios internet bests T-Mobile with its reliable fiber-optic connection, symmetrical upload and download speeds, lack of data caps, and a multi-year price guarantee. Unlike T-Mobile, installation fees are standard, and there is limited availability.
  • Hughesnet: Hughesnet satellite internet is available virtually anywhere, making it a good internet option for rural areas. The downside is that satellite equipment is notoriously expensive. Hughesnet equipment rental is $14.99–$19.99/mo. (or up to $449.99 to purchase). Hughesnet plans have a 24-month contract and a pro-rated $400 ETF. There are no hard data limits, but data throttling is standard, and bad weather can cause outages.

T-Mobile customer service and satisfaction

T-Mobile was ranked the highest among all non-fiber internet service providers in the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) for 2023–2024. In T-Mobile internet reviews, customers consistently give high marks in categories such as internet speed, video streaming quality, ease of understanding bills, reliability of mobile apps and more.

If you are a new or existing customer with general questions, information on local outages, or help with technical issues, here is how to reach T-Mobile:

  • T-Mobile customer service phone number: 1-800-937-8997
  • T-Mobile home internet tech support phone number: 1-855-678-5110
  • T-Mobile troubleshooting: Find help with common device issues here.

T-Mobile bill pay

  • Pay your bill online.
  • Pay in the T-Mobile app
  • Pay by phone by calling 1-877-453-1304.
  • Pay in store. There is a $5 charge for in-store payments. 
  • Pay by mail by sending a check to: T-Mobile, P.O. Box 742596, Cincinnati, OH 45274-2596. 

T-Mobile Home Internet FAQs

What is the downside of T-Mobile Internet?

T-Mobile speeds only go up to 245 Mbps and you may experience the internet slowing down temporarily depending on network congestion.

Is T-Mobile internet good for streaming?

Yes, T-Mobile can support streaming, gaming and video apps. However, you may experience lag if multiple devices in your home are streaming simultaneously.

What is the cost of T-Mobile home internet?

Standalone T-Mobile 5G Home Internet costs $60/mo. with autopay or $40–$50/mo. when bundled with a qualifying T-Mobile cell service.

Is T-Mobile internet also Wi-Fi?

Yes. T-Mobile internet service includes a wireless connection for your home.

This content is produced through an alliance between USA TODAY and Allconnect.com. Under the alliance, Allconnect publishes articles about broadband-related topics upholding strict editorial integrity standards in line with USA TODAY’s Principles of Ethical Conduct. The opinions, analyses, reviews and recommendations expressed are those of the Allconnect editorial staff alone. The information is believed to be accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information. Read more about our Allconnect Advertising Disclosure.

Image of 9
Lisa IscrupeAllconnect.com

Lisa Iscrupe is a senior writer helping readers understand the complexities of broadband, internet and other home services, including energy and renewable products. Her work appears on SaveOnEnergy.com and CNET.com, with national sources such as CNN, The Daily MBA and The Media Bulletin referencing her articles.

Image of 12
Hannah WhatleyAllconnect.com

Hannah Whatley is an editor who enjoys collaborating with writers to offer readers the most relevant, accurate, and up-to-date information for their home purchases. She has previously edited for The Motley Fool, The Modest Wallet, Grammarly, JoinCake.com and SaveOnEnergy.com, gaining expertise in several industries. Hannah has a B.A. in English from Thomas Edison State University. When she isn’t editing, she enjoys studying linguistics and languages.

More Stories