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

Turn on the sink, and you know where the water comes from – the plumbing. Fire up the stove, and it’s the gas pipes. But boot up your laptop… there’s a noticeable lack of pipes. So, where does your internet come from? And is there really a difference between 5G home internet vs satellite internet? Let’s go down the digital pipeline to see how each setup works – and find out which one’s best for your home.

What is 5G home internet?* 

Many homes run a cable from the roof to the power lines outside to get internet. Unlike traditional broadband, which delivers internet through physical cables, 5G home internet is completely wireless – much to the chagrin of squirrels and pigeons. Like the name implies, 5G home internet picks up the same 5G signal transmitted over the air that your 5G-capable phone uses. A small 5G gateway device acts as a receiver, capturing signals from nearby 5G cell towers, converting the signal into a Wi-Fi network that your Wi-Fi enabled devices can connect to.

But hold up. What’s a “G” and why are there 5 of them? 5G simply refers to the fifth-generation cellular network. And a 5G signal refers to radio waves that combine low-, mid- and high-band frequencies to deliver the fastest wireless experience yet. 5G is designed to handle high bandwidth and dense data traffic, making it capable of delivering fast data speeds and supporting multiple devices with low latency without the need for digging or wiring. Today’s focus is on home internet, but feel free to take a deep dive into the tech that goes into 5G. 

What is satellite internet?

Internet connection isn’t rocket science… until it is. Satellite internet relies on a network of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites communicating with ground stations and delivering internet to a dish installed on your roof. Positioned roughly 1,200 miles above the Earth, your internet literally comes from outer space. But that distance means higher latency, otherwise known as longer upload and download speeds. Satellite internet can be a useful option for people in remote or rural areas where other types of internet can’t reach.** For example, when natural disasters sever cable lines or knock out cell towers, emergency services can stay connected as long as there’s a functioning satellite dish and a clear view of the sky.

5G home internet vs. satellite internet: Pros and cons

Why go wireless? Compared to broadband and satellite internet, 5G home internet is great on bandwidth and on budget.*

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 extra equipment or 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, satellite and DSL internet, with all their tangled cables and rooftop dishes, 5G home internet doesn’t require much equipment to support it, which means 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 can vary and fluctuate based on tower distance and network congestion. 
• Environmental interference. 5G signals are more prone to being affected by environmental factors like terrain, structures, and weather than traditional broadband services. 
• 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). 
  

What about satellite internet? This older form of internet service still plays a vital role in today’s world, but let’s find out if it’s right for you.** 

Satellite internet pros:  

• Available virtually everywhere in the United States. If you’re in a remote or underserved area or just on the go (#vanlife), satellite internet is widely available where other internet options aren’t. 
• Speeds have improved in recent years. You can expect average downloads from 12 to 150 Mbps and uploads from 5 to 25 Mbps. Sometimes, these speeds can get even quicker – the FCC found that 90% of providers deliver up to 140% of the speeds they originally promised.
• Quick recovery after disruptions. As we previously stated, satellite internet is highly resilient during natural disasters when cable lines and cell towers are down. 

Satellite internet cons: 

• Line-of-sight required. Your dish can’t receive anything unless it has an unobstructed view of the sky. That means satellite isn’t ideal if you’re in a crowded apartment block. Also, inclement weather can impact your connection. 
• Astronomical costs. You could easily end up paying over $100 for a less-than-satisfactory connection. Cheaper options do exist, but you’ll get hit with a strict data cap and big slowdowns once you reach your limit. 
• Latency and speed. Satellite internet, on average, is slower than broadband, fiber and 5G home internet. You’ll find that it isn’t up to the task for video streaming due to its high latency.  
• Contracts and restrictions. Many satellite internet providers will lock you into long minimum subscription terms. Also, they do not support VPN use for all of your international soap opera needs.

Is 5G home internet faster than satellite?

Yes, 5G home internet is faster than satellite. With good 5G coverage, a 5G gateway can put up serious numbers – up to 1 Gbps or more for downloads in ideal conditions.** Satellite internet, on the other hand, isn’t known for speed. New entrant Starlink aims to provide high-speed internet globally and minimize latency. However, it’s still in development and way more expensive than 5G home internet.

Is 5G home internet better than satellite?

Now that you’re a home-internet intellectual, make a checklist of your household’s internet needs, then compare your options to decide the best fit for your lifestyle. If you live in an area with strong 5G coverage, 5G home internet is usually faster and more affordable. But if you’re in a rural or remote area where 5G isn’t available, satellite may be your only option. Ultimately, the choice comes down to your budget, specific location and what you use the internet for at home.

Get your dream home MINTernet

Okay, now that the PR-approved response is out of the way, here’s what we really think: 5G Home MINTernet is the best home internet option, period. 5G home internet vs cable? Our money’s on 5G. 5G home internet vs DSL? 5G is taking the win. That’s because Home MINTernet operates on the T-Mobile 5G network, the nation’s largest 5G network. Our 5G home internet speeds typically clock at 134 mbps – 415 mbps, which is plenty for your streaming, gaming and other home internet needs. Oh, and Home MINTernet starts at $30/mo with a Mint Mobile phone plan.

*modem drop*

Check out 5G Home MINTernet for yourself:

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

_{**https://broadbandnow.com/guides/satellite-internet-pros-and-cons}