5G Home Broadband – Everything you need to know

What is 5G home broadband?

Is 5G broadband any good?

While the 5G network is essentially an upgrade of the 4G network we’re all familiar with, it’s a lot faster and more reliable than its predecessor. Your connection is very unlikely to dropout or slow down suddenly when you’re using 5G. This. Means you’ll be able to watch HD TV, game and make video calls without a problem.
If you have a good signal and a good router, 5G broadband is just as good, if not better, than a standard broadband connection. It’s definitely faster than older ADSL broadband, so if the infrastructure in your area hasn’t been upgraded for a while, you should notice a big improvement in terms of speed and latency.
As the UK’s 5G network improves and expands, the quality of 5G home broadband should only get better. Many experts predict that the speed, reliability and affordability of 5G home broadband will make it the default option for the majority of homes and businesses in the UK. Even at the moment, 5G is comparable to most good fixed broadband services, so if you have 5G coverage in your area, it’s a good alternative to a traditional connection.

Is 5G faster than classical home broadband?

If you have a good 5G signal, it’s possible that this type of broadband will be faster than your existing connection, especially if you’re still on the old ADSL or FTTC networks. New 5G broadband can reach speeds of up to 20Gbps, although in most cases, speeds of around 100Mbps are more likely.

Is 5G faster than fibre?

If you have a full fibre connection (FTTP), you’ll probably be getting download speeds in excess of 100Mbps. Many people on full fibre can see speeds of up to 500Mbps. At the moment, this is comparable to a good 5G signal. However, it’s possible that both types of broadband will become faster in the future.

In comparison is 4G broadband reliable?

While the number of properties able to access 5G broadband is slowly growing, 4G is already easily accessible across the UK. In most cases, 4G home broadband is reliable. If you find you don’t have a good 4G signal, your internet provider may be able to install a booster or signal extender to help you get a more reliable connection.

Which suppliers provide 5G?

Is there 5G in my area?

Who has the best 5G network?

A number of mobile phone networks have been leading the 5G rollout. Among the providers with the best 5G coverage in the UK are:

• EE
• O2
• Three
• Vodafone

Of all of these networks, EE currently has the best coverage in the UK. As of October 2020, the company offered 5G coverage in 112 towns and cities across the UK. As BT piggybacks on EE’s network, it also offers its customers excellent coverage in large parts of the UK.

What cities have 5G UK?

At the moment, most 5G coverage is concentrated in the UK’s larger towns, cities and urban areas. Cities with good 5G coverage include:

• Aberdeen
• Belfast
• Birmingham
• Brighton
• Bristol
• Cardiff
• Chester
• Exeter
• Hull
• Leeds
• Leicester
• Liverpool
• London
• Manchester
• Newcastle
• Norwich
• Oxford
• Portsmouth
• Sheffield
• York

Will 5G replace home broadband?

Will 5G replace fibre optic?

Fibre optic broadband is also currently being rolled out across the country. This ultrafast internet can offer speeds of up to 900Mbps, with even quicker download capabilities coming in the future, this is likely to remain the fastest internet option for most UK home internet users.
However, the rollout of full fibre internet is slow and expensive. In order to get full fibre to people’s homes, new cables need to be laid to each individual property. 5G installation only involves erecting a new mast. While this isn’t necessarily cheap, it does mean that a large number of properties can be connected at the same time.
So, while it’s unlikely that 5G will replace full fibre optic internet completely, it may well become the prevalent internet service in many parts of the country. This is especially likely in remote and rural areas where laying fibre optic cables would be prohibitively expensive.

Which suppliers provide 5G

What are the best home broadband deals currently available?

Because the 5G network is still in development, it remains a relatively expensive alternative to standard broadband.
The table below shows some of the best 5G deals currently available.

For example, Vodafone offers 100GB of data for £30 per month. On this tariff, you’ll also pay a £100 setup fee. If you want to double your data allowance to 200GB per month, you’ll need to pay £40 per month and £50 upfront while an unlimited package will set you back £60 per month and £50 upfront.
EE’s best selling plan is slightly cheaper, with customers able to pay £55 per month, and £100 upfront, for unlimited data.
The cheapest 5G home broadband deal currently on the market is available from Three. The provider is offering its 5G hub with unlimited data for just £15 per month for six months. At the end of this initial period, the price will rise to £30 per month.
There are no upfront costs and Three says that customers should expect average speeds of around 100Mpbs. That’s roughly equivalent to the fastest standard broadband speeds on the market.
However, 5G home broadband is still only available in a few areas. You’ll need to check with your supplier, or call SwitchBox, to see if 5G home broadband is on offer in your postcode.

Give us a call on 0330 818 6395

Can I get unlimited data on a home broadband deal?

When you sign up to a 5G home broadband package, you’ll see that some deals come with limited data. This means that there will be a cap on the amount of internet you can use each month.
If you choose a package with limited data, you may not be able to watch movies every day or make long video calls on a regular basis. This makes limited deals unsuitable for people who are heavy internet users.
If you don’t want to worry about the amount of data you use, opt for an unlimited 5G home broadband deal. These are available from Vodafone for £60 per month, from EE for £55 per month, and from Three for £15 for the first six months and £30 thereafter.

How much does 5G cost?

Can I get home broadband without paying line rental?

If you choose standard fixed broadband, you’ll need to have a landline installed before the internet can be connected to your home. You’ll then need to pay line rental for this landline.
However, if you opt for 5G home broadband, you won’t need a landline in place. This is because 5G routers connect to the network wirelessly, just like the internet on your smartphone. If you don’t need a landline, choosing 5G instead of standard broadband could therefore make your internet connection more affordable.

FAQ

Can I get unlimited data on a home broadband deal?

All core 5G home broadband providers offer unlimited as well as limited data deals. In general, unlimited deals are more expensive than packages with limited data. However, as an unlimited plan will allow you to stream, game, shop and make video calls without worrying about how much data you’re using, they’re often well worth the cost for heavy internet users.

How much does 5G home internet cost?

5G home broadband deals are available for between £15 and £60 per month. Some of these deals require customers to pay setup fees of up to £100, so it’s important to check the fine print when comparing the cost of different packages. In general, the longer you sign up to a provider for, the cheaper your deal will be. So, if you’re not planning on moving house any time in the next few years, why not sign up for 12-24 months and get yourself a bargain?

How do I know if I have 5G in my area?

You can find out if 5G is available in your area by putting your postcode into the search tool on your chosen supplier’s website or by calling SwitchBox. Our expert team will be able to talk you through the 5G options in your area and help you find the deal that’s right for you.
Give us a call on 0330 054 0020

Where is 5G broadband available?

5G broadband is currently only available in towns and cities that already have good 5G coverage. However, as the network expands and new masts are erected, the number of locations with 5G coverage is likely to expand rapidly, allowing more and more people to get online.