5G home internet vs. cable internet: What’s the difference?

Dogs vs. cats, pineapple on pizza vs. no pineapple on pizza, sunsets vs. sunrises. There is no shortage of things we all love to debate about. Well, you can add one more topic to the list… 5G home internet vs. cable internet. But before you choose a side, we’re here to guide you through the ever-evolving landscape of broadband high-speed internet services to help you figure out what will work best for your needs.

What is 5G home internet?

First of all, if you aren’t sure what 5G is, it’s a global wireless broadband standard that stands for the fifth generation of cellular network technology*… we know, not very creative, but here we are. Basically, 5G is a faster wireless network than previous wireless network generations (e.g. 2G, 3G, 4G) that is designed to deliver faster speeds and handle more connected devices. So, if we relate that to how 5G home internet works, you’re actually connecting to the 5G cellular network wirelessly through a receiver, not through a cable coming out of the wall. You’ll have service for a specific duration (depending on which you choose) just like with cell phones, and a 5G gateway device with a SIM inside, to convert the incoming cellular signal to a Wi-Fi signal in order to connect your Wi-Fi devices.

What is cable internet?

Cable internet is a type of broadband connection that uses the cable TV infrastructure to deliver internet signals via a cable (geddit?) to provide homes with internet access. It traditionally requires a guy in a uniform with a sweet utility belt to come over to your house and install it using the same coaxial cables used for the TV service. You’ll also need a cable modem to receive the internet signal and a Wi-Fi router in your house to broadcast the signal so it can reach any Wi-Fi capable device you need it to…. we’re looking at you, fancy coffee maker. 

5G home internet vs. cable internet: Pros & cons

Okay, we’ve reached the pros & cons portion of this blog, so stuff’s about to get real in the form of some truth-telling bullet points.* 

5G home internet pros

• Easy installation. All you need is a gateway — an all-in-one device that in most instances you can set up yourself — meaning there’s no separate modem, router, or cables to hook up, and no waiting around for a cable guy between the hours of 9:00 and f#!-all (we said ‘fox’). 
• Fast internet speeds. If you have good 5G coverage in your area, you can expect low latency and fast speeds across multiple connected devices. 
• More affordable than traditional options. Unlike traditional cable and DSL internet, with all their tangled cables and extra equipment, 5G home internet doesn’t require much equipment to support it, which usually means a lower cost and fewer fees. Also, providers like yours truly offer unlimited 5G home internet with no long-term subscription contracts. 
• Reliable 5G coverage. Powered by the same cellular network that your smartphone uses.
  

5G home internet cons

• Coverage matters. Since there’s no dedicated wired connection, availability and 5G performance will vary based on tower distance and network congestion. 
• Signal interference. 5G signals are can be affected by environmental factors like terrain, structures and weather, which don’t tend to impact services like cable, DSL or fiber.
• Network maturity. The 5G cellular network is still expanding and isn’t currently available in all areas just yet (though its coverage footprint is growing all the time).  

Cable internet pros **

• Nationwide availability. You’ll find cable internet pretty much anywhere in the country nowadays (more or less – more on that later).
• High consistency. Cable internet’s wired connection typically enables consistent speeds.
• Great gaming performance. Professional, HD gamers tend to prefer cable internet for its consistency and stability. 

Cable internet cons

• Higher cost. In most instances, cable internet tends to be more expensive than 5G home internet.
• Expensive installation fees. These fees can include equipment rental or purchase costs; and the cost could be even higher if your home isn’t prewired for cable internet (meaning you might have to pay for to have wiring installed in your house before cable internet can even be an option for you).
• Data caps and long-term contracts. These will vary and might be mandatory, depending on the provider – but in most instances, a customer can’t end their cable service whenever they want without paying an early termination fee (or ETF for short).
• Not always available in rural areas. And if it is, it’s often more expensive than if you lived in a larger metro area. 

Is 5G home internet faster than cable internet?

Ooh, good question, and the answer is… it all depends. The big factors are the specific internet plan you choose and the technology currently available in your neighborhood. Standard 5G home internet plans do compete with cable provider plans; and in most cases, 5G home internet performance is likely to be just as good, and in some instances, better, than most entry-level cable internet plans due to the lower cost on a gigabyte per dollar comparison.** And while not having a direct wired connection means that 5G speeds are more susceptible to environmental factors like geographic landmarks and inclement weather conditions than cable, if you were to take one thing away from this, it’s that 5G home internet provides the average user with great performance overall.

Is 5G home internet better than cable internet?

If you’re looking for a controversial answer to this one, it’s not coming. Because deciding which internet service is better kinda depends on your specific needs, location and budget. Based on the pros and cons above, if you do a lot of gaming and live in an area where 5G home internet isn’t currently offered, cable might be right for you. If you’re in an area with good 5G coverage, love to stream shows and music, prefer not to overpay for a quality service and like the convenience of setting things up yourself (no technician needed), then 5G home internet should work perfectly. See, there’s no wrong answer, just a few things for you to consider. 

Home is where the 5G Home MINTernet is

So, not sure if this decision is as easy as pineapple on pizza yay or nay, but you might want to check out our brand new 5G Home MINTernet before you make any team cable or team home internet declarations. At the very least, it will inform your opinion a bit more and you might even find a sweet deal involving a Mint phone plan… just sayin’. 

_{*https://www.wired.com/story/what-is-5g-home-internet/}

_{**https://www.highspeedinternet.com/resources/cable-vs-5g-internet}