Home internet guide: fiber vs 5G vs cable
This guide explains how each type of home internet works, what internet speed you need, and what to check on a price. It has no prices and no provider rankings.
Types of home internet and how they differ
Fiber internet
Fiber internet sends data as light through glass strands. Upload speed is often as fast as download speed. Latency is low.
Fiber is not built in every area. Check your address with each provider.
Cable internet
Cable internet uses the coaxial lines of cable TV. Download speed is fast.
Upload speed is usually much slower than download speed. Homes nearby share capacity.
5G home internet
A receiver in the home connects to the mobile network (5G or 4G LTE). No cable runs to the house. Many homes can install it without help.
Speed changes with signal strength and with how busy the network is.
Fixed wireless internet
A tower sends the signal to an antenna at the home. The wider term is fixed wireless access (FWA), and it includes 5G home internet. Rural homes often use it.
The antenna needs a clear line to the tower.
Satellite internet
Satellite internet works almost anywhere with a clear view of the sky.
Geostationary satellites have high latency. Low-Earth-orbit services have much lower latency. Heavy weather can interrupt the signal.
DSL internet
DSL internet uses telephone lines.
It is slower than the other wired types. Speed falls as the distance from the provider's equipment grows.
What internet speed do you need?
Download speed is how fast data comes to you. Upload speed is how fast data goes from you. Both are measured in megabits per second (Mbps).
Latency, or ping, is the delay in milliseconds before data arrives. Lower is better.
Add the needs of every person and device that is online at the same time.
- HD streaming
- Netflix recommends 5 Mbps for each Full HD stream.
- 4K streaming
- Netflix recommends 15 Mbps for each 4K stream.
- Video calls and work from home
- An HD call uses a few Mbps in each direction. Upload speed matters as much as download speed.
- Online gaming
- Games use little data, so latency matters more. A wired Ethernet connection helps. Game downloads can be tens of gigabytes, so a higher download speed shortens the wait.
- The broadband minimum
- The FCC counts 100 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload as broadband.
Your Wi-Fi can be the slow part
Your Wi-Fi can be slower than your plan. Distance, walls and an old router reduce speed. A central router, a mesh Wi-Fi system, a newer Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 7 router, or an Ethernet cable can help. Test the speed next to the router.
What to check on a home internet price
- The price after the promotion ends. Ask for the monthly price after the promotion and the date that it ends.
- Equipment fees. Ask about the monthly rental for a modem, router or gateway. Ask if you can use your own.
- Installation and activation fees. These are one-time fees. Ask if self-install is an option.
- Data caps. Some plans include a monthly data allowance. After it, the provider can charge more or slow the connection.
- Contract and early termination fee. Ask what you pay if you cancel before the term ends.
- Discount conditions. A lower price can need autopay, paperless billing or a bundle with a mobile plan. The price rises if you stop.
- Taxes and other monthly fees. The advertised price can leave these out.
- The broadband facts label. Since 2024, the FCC requires internet providers to show a label for each plan. It shows the monthly price, how long an introductory price lasts, one-time and monthly fees, typical speeds and latency, and the data allowance. Read it before you sign up.
What Mobile Switcher compares today
Mobile Switcher compares mobile phone plans today. It will add home internet plans later. Until then, this guide has no prices, no plan data and no provider rankings.
Questions about home internet
- What is the difference between fiber and cable internet?
- Fiber internet sends data as light through glass strands, and its upload speed is often as fast as its download speed. Cable internet uses the coaxial lines of cable TV. Its upload speed is usually much slower than its download speed. Homes nearby share capacity, so speed can drop at busy times.
- Is 5G home internet the same as fixed wireless internet?
- Fixed wireless access (FWA) sends the signal from a tower to a receiver at the home. 5G home internet is one type of fixed wireless that uses the mobile network (5G or 4G LTE). Other fixed wireless providers use their own towers and antennas. For all types, speed changes with signal strength and with how busy the network is.
- How much internet speed do I need?
- Add the needs of every person and device that is online at the same time. Netflix recommends 5 Mbps for each Full HD stream and 15 Mbps for each 4K stream. Video calls need upload speed as well as download speed. The FCC counts 100 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload as the minimum for broadband.
- Why is my internet slow on Wi-Fi?
- Wi-Fi is the wireless link inside the home, between the router and your devices. Distance, walls and an old router reduce its speed. Put the router in a central, open spot, and use a mesh Wi-Fi system for a large home or an Ethernet cable for gaming and work. Test the speed next to the router to find out if the problem is the Wi-Fi or the plan.
- Is satellite internet good for gaming and video calls?
- Satellites in geostationary orbit are very far away, so latency is high. High latency makes gaming and video calls worse. Low-Earth-orbit satellite services have much lower latency. Both types need a clear view of the sky.
- What fees should I check before I sign up for home internet?
- Check the price after a promotion ends, equipment rental, installation and activation fees, data caps, and an early termination fee. Read the broadband facts label for the plan before you sign up.
- Does Mobile Switcher compare home internet plans?
- Not yet. Mobile Switcher compares mobile phone plans today. It will add home internet plans later. Until then, this guide has no prices, no plan data and no provider rankings.