T-Mobile Home Internet Review: Plans, Pricing, Speed and Availability
Can T-Mobile's home internet service meet your home broadband needs? Let's look at what makes this internet service provider different. First, T-Mobile only charges $50 to $70 monthly for its plans, a price you can knock down to $35 to $55 by bundling with an eligible mobile plan. On top of that, you don't have to worry about long-term contracts or data caps. The company recently made headlines by introducing three new plans and a slew of perks. Pretty sweet, right?
T-Mobile Home Internet is currently available to over 50 million homes across the US, but many locations and addresses still can't get it. 5G is the marquee player on this bill, but T-Mobile relies on 4G LTE to help expand its home internet service area. That means that of the 5G home internet providers, T-Mobile doesn't offer the fastest speeds on average -- a definite bummer. More on that later.
T-Mobile launched 5G Home Internet as a pilot program early in 2021, and we were among the first to give it a hands-on test run. By April 2021, T-Mobile officially announced the launch of its home broadband service nationwide. A short year later, it expanded its availability to 40 million households, and we returned to give it another try. Another of our writers, who has used the service for two years, more recently shared her experience with T-Mobile Home Internet" target="_self.
T-Mobile has undergone many changes in its plan offerings. Initially, it only offered a single home internet plan, but in April 2024, T-Mobile announced two new internet plans: the Away plan, which is an option for people on the go, and the T-Mobile Home Internet Plus premium plan. Since then, T-Mobile is now offering three main plans, which come with faster speeds and new streaming perks. More on that in a bit.
Overall, T-Mobile continues to be ecstatic about its 5G home internet offering. The number of subscribers has reached 6.4 million, according to the company's fourth-quarter 2024 report and the Federal Communications Commission included T-Mobile's home internet offering as one of only 11 fixed internet services able to cover over at least 5% of the US population. Further, T-Mobile Home Internet made a splash with the 2024 American Customer Satisfaction Index survey results by coming out in first place in customer satisfaction for all non-fiber internet service providers. Not too shabby.
Now that the company has established its home broadband offering, will T-Mobile Home Internet prove a viable option to replace your current ISP?
See at Unknown Merchant
T-Mobile offers customers T-Mobile Rely Internet, T-Mobile Amplified Internet and T-Mobile All-In Internet. These plans feature faster speeds than what the company offered last year but for similar pricing to the Home Internet and Home Internet Plus plans. The speed boost is due to new and upgraded gateway routers, which are included with your service.
The Amplified and All-In Internet plans offer download speeds of 133 to 415Mbps, whereas the Rely Internet plans are 87 to 318Mbps. These are an upgrade from the 72 to 245Mbps you got from the previous standard plan. In addition, your upload speeds will also look different by plan. The Rely Internet plan offers slightly faster upload speeds of 14 to 56Mbps.
If your household does a lot of streaming, then T-Mobile's All-In Internet plan might be a good option. The plan includes a free Hulu and Paramount Plus (with ads) subscription. You also get a mesh router to help with coverage throughout the home. In addition, this plan is designed to ensure that customers have unlimited live tech support at all times through Assurant Personal TechPro. Although T-Mobile's standard plan already offered a customer care team aiding tech support for its customers, the All-In Internet plan goes a step further.
Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
Initially, only one speed tier was available (72 to 245Mbps), but now, there are more speeds to choose from without paying for more. These new plans feature relatively similar pricing to that of the standard plans. The premise of 5G home internet is that, unlike typical internet connection types (including coaxial cable lines, fiber-optic internet and digital subscriber lines), you're not reliant on underground constructions and deployments to get you connected. Instead, a fixed wireless internet service provides you with a router that connects to a cellular signal.
T-Mobile provides its Wi-Fi Gateway device, a combination modem and Wi-Fi 6 router compatible with T-Mobile's 4G LTE and 5G networks. As you can see from the chart, the only variable is the average download and upload speed you'll experience. At the bare minimum, T-Mobile says, all eligible households should see average download speeds of 133 megabits per second. Depending on your location and the placement of the T-Mobile Gateway, you might see download speeds as high as 415Mbps.
The hope and promise of 5G and its capabilities haven't yet been fully realized, at least not by T-Mobile. My CNET colleague Eli Blumenthal has thoroughly detailed the basics of 5G and how not all "5G" is the same. In summary, faster 5G speeds come with shorter ranges. The farther the distance, the less speed on the top end.
For T-Mobile to hit the road running with availability to over 30 million households at its launch, it leaned on its 4G LTE network as well as its growing 5G network. That's why my CNET colleagues averaged just over 40Mbps download speeds with T-Mobile Home Internet, and some households may get up to just over 100Mbps. Anecdotally, we've heard of some users seeing download speeds as high as 300Mbps. Still, T-Mobile's FAQ section promises customers will "see typical download speeds between 87-415Mbps." While that may be plenty of speed for many folks, it doesn't compare to the higher download speeds you might get with fiber internet or cable plans. At least not yet.
When discussing any ISP, it's always good to begin by answering the fundamental question: Can I get this service? T-Mobile Home Internet is available to around 60% of the country and all 50 states -- making it the most widely available home internet service. By comparison, Verizon's 5G Home Internet service has rolled out in approximately 900 markets but is available to around 40 million homes. In the meantime, T-Mobile is open to signups in over 600 cities but more households, many within rural areas.
Check the T-Mobile Home Internet eligibility page to determine if your address is serviceable.
As mentioned, T-Mobile is the most widely available 5G home internet service. Considering that US Census data puts the total number of households in the country at approximately 143 million, about 60% of households remain ineligible for T-Mobile Home Internet.
A T-Mobile spokesperson didn't have specific details on expansion plans but highlighted that more than 10 million households in the current footprint are within rural America. Additionally, there's a focus on expanding access for small towns and communities. For people outside the current availability window, T-Mobile's site mentions that its Ultra Capacity 5G connection is expected "to reach 300 million Americans by the end of this year." Yet, it's worth noting that even if you can access T-Mobile's 5G network, you may not automatically get its 5G home internet service" target="_self.
T-Mobile also has a Home Internet Lite service, open to anyone within a T-Mobile service area. While that broadens the company's availability footprint, it wouldn't be right to include this as part of T-Mobile Home Internet, as Lite has a 100 to 300GB data cap.
One of the significant wins for T-Mobile Home Internet is its straightforwardness. There's no pesky small print. ISPs are notorious for their hidden fees and trap pricing -- they try to lure you in with enticing promo prices but then stick you with a larger bill after those terms expire. That's not the case here.
T-Mobile Home Internet features no data caps, so you don't have to fear data overage fees. There's no equipment fee for the Gateway device, so you don't have to figure out an additional monthly cost to tack on to your regular bill. It also requires no annual service contracts, so you don't have any early termination fees looming over your head. These are all appealing aspects of this service and make it very enticing to try T-Mobile Home Internet if it's available in your area.
There is one additional fee you'll have to pay once at the start of your service: a $35 "device connection charge," similar to the activation fee you pay with many ISPs.
In addition to its new plans, T-Mobile is sweetening the pot with a slew of perks to draw in potential customers.
First, customers with eligible Go5G Plus and Magenta Max plans can save $15 monthly. Second, new customers can get a $200 virtual gift card for switching to T-Mobile Home Internet and a free Blink smart security package. Lastly, home internet customers can participate in T-Mobile Tuesdays, the company's weekly discount and free perks promotion.
T-Mobile also runs a "Worry-free Test Drive" promotion, during which customers can try the service for 15 days with a money-back guarantee.
T-Mobile Home Internet hit the ground running in 2023 when it debuted at the top of the American Customer Satisfaction Index's survey of nonfiber internet service providers. It scored 73 out of 100 points, well ahead of the category's 66-point average. Even more impressive is that it improved that score by 4% in 2024, still topping the ACSI chart, although Verizon 5G Home Internet was hot on its heels in second place.
Regarding availability, T-Mobile is also ahead of its 5G home internet competitors, AT&T Internet Air, Starry and Verizon. Starry is available in five major metropolitan areas: Boston, Denver, Los Angeles, New York City and Washington, D.C. Verizon is available in more cities than T-Mobile (currently 900) but is behind T-Mobile's total households covered.
Starry and Verizon have the upper hand on average download speeds. Starry customers typically see consistent download speeds of 200Mbps, and Verizon's 5G Home Internet plans average around 300Mbps. What Starry and Verizon have given up regarding widespread availability, they currently make up for in the average speeds they deliver.
All the 5G home internet providers share freedom from all the hidden fees and pricing games that many cable and fiber ISPs play. With 5G, the monthly rate is the monthly rate. There are no equipment rental charges, data caps or binding annual contracts.
Regarding 5G, we're much closer to the beginning than the end of where everything will shake out. If it's speed you're after, T-Mobile's 5G home internet service might not impress if you have other cable and fiber internet providers available at your address. If you're in a rural or less developed area where DSL or satellite was your only previous option, T-Mobile will feel lightning fast by comparison. As one CNET early adopter of T-Mobile Home Internet noted, "Imperfection is a lot more tolerable when you're paying less than half what you were before."
Overall, T-Mobile has positioned itself as a viable option in the home internet space, making it an intriguing player to watch as it expands its 5G infrastructure. If nothing else, since it demands no contract commitment, it's an opportunity to try a different option and maybe even use it as leverage to negotiate with your current internet service provider. Hopefully, the more options we have as consumers, our internet service will improve in the long run.
No. T-Mobile Home Internet features unlimited data. Customers will not have any potential data overage fees or charges hanging over their heads. If you use T-Mobile Home Internet you could find your service slowed in cases where the company prioritizes its mobile users over its fixed wireless service.
Yes. Your router is included in your monthly bill for whichever plan you choose. One of the appealing aspects of T-Mobile Home Internet is that its monthly fee -- $50 to $70 a month (or $35 to $55 monthly for eligible Go5G Plus and Magenta Max mobile customers) -- includes a 5G Gateway (a modem/router combo device). The T-Mobile equipment lease is included in the one fee, and all that's required is that you return the device when you end service with T-Mobile. T-Mobile's new plans, Rely Internet, Amplified Internet and All-In Internet, feature faster routers.
For the most part, yes, but not unequivocally. You may find faster speeds with T-Mobile's new plans, ranging anywhere between 87 to 415Mbps in download speeds and 12 to 56Mbps in upload. As T-Mobile says in its Open Internet policy, "many factors affect the speed and performance that customers experience, including ... proximity to a cell site, weather and the surrounding terrain."
Whichever T-Mobile plan you choose, you should see download speeds higher than those typically achieved on Hughesnet (an average of 50 to 100Mbps) and Viasat (up to 150Mbps). The Starlink plans can offer similar internet speeds (30 to 220Mbps) but are much more expensive -- $120 to $1,000 monthly, plus a one-time equipment fee of $349 or $599 for the Starlink Mini.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indianapolis Star
2 hours ago
- Indianapolis Star
Your Tax Transcript Could Reveal More Than You Think – Clear Start Tax Explains Hidden IRS Red Flags That Can Trigger Enforcement
Clear Start Tax Reveals How Hidden Red Flags in IRS Records Can Trigger Enforcement – and Why Reviewing Your Transcript Is the First Step Toward Resolution IRVINE, CA / ACCESS Newswire For many taxpayers, the term 'IRS transcript' sounds like a dry document meant for accountants or audits. But according to Clear Start Tax, this internal report could be the most important tool in identifying what the IRS knows, what they're watching, and what may be coming next. Often overlooked or misunderstood, a tax transcript is a line-by-line history of how the IRS sees your account, and it's where red flags, errors, and silent collection activity first appear. 'A lot of people wait for a scary IRS letter in the mail,' said the Head of Client Solutions at Clear Start Tax. 'But by the time the letter arrives, the IRS may have already made a move. The transcript tells the story before enforcement begins if you know how to read it.' What Is an IRS Tax Transcript – and Why It Matters An IRS tax transcript is a downloadable record that shows return information, wage reporting, payment history, refund activity, and internal IRS codes tied to collections or audits. Clear Start Tax says it's one of the first documents they pull when reviewing a client's case. Taxpayers can request their transcript online at or by submitting Form 4506-T. There are several types, but the Account Transcript and Wage & Income Transcript are often the most revealing. What Red Flags Could Be Hiding Inside Clear Start Tax warns that IRS systems rely heavily on automation, and transcripts can silently show when a taxpayer's account is being reviewed, flagged, or prepared for enforcement. Key signs that may appear in a transcript: 'We've seen transcripts where the client had no idea they were on track for garnishment,' said the Head of Client Solutions at Clear Start Tax. 'But the IRS had already processed flags and updated their status behind the scenes.' Errors You Might Not Know Exist Many clients are shocked to learn that their transcripts contain clerical mistakes, misapplied payments, or unfiled returns they thought were submitted. In some cases, wage data is incorrect, or the IRS has assessed tax based on substitute returns without deductions, inflating the amount owed. These inaccuracies can cause enforcement to escalate, even when the taxpayer thought they were compliant. By answering a few simple questions, taxpayers can find out if they're eligible for the IRS Fresh Start Program and take the first step toward resolving their tax debt. How Clear Start Tax Uses Transcripts to Protect Clients Clear Start Tax begins every resolution case with a full transcript audit, reviewing IRS activity, matching it with client documentation, and identifying risks before they lead to liens or levies. This proactive approach allows their team to: Flag inaccurate balances or dates Correct reporting issues and reestablish compliance Identify program eligibility (like Fresh Start or hardship status) Halt enforcement by addressing problems early About Clear Start Tax Clear Start Tax is a full-service tax liability resolution firm that serves taxpayers throughout the United States. The company specializes in assisting individuals and businesses with a wide range of IRS and state tax issues, including back taxes, wage garnishment relief, IRS appeals, and offers in compromise. Clear Start Tax helps taxpayers apply for the IRS Fresh Start Program, providing expert guidance in tax resolution. Fully accredited and A+ rated by the Better Business Bureau, the firm's unique approach and commitment to long-term client success distinguish it as a leader in the tax resolution industry. Need Help With Back Taxes? Click the link below: (888) 710-3533 Contact Information Clear Start Tax Corporate Communications Department seo@ (949) 535-1627 SOURCE: Clear Start Tax View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire
Miami Herald
2 hours ago
- Miami Herald
Your Tax Transcript Could Reveal More Than You Think - Clear Start Tax Explains Hidden IRS Red Flags That Can Trigger Enforcement
Clear Start Tax Reveals How Hidden Red Flags in IRS Records Can Trigger Enforcement - and Why Reviewing Your Transcript Is the First Step Toward Resolution IRVINE, CA / ACCESS Newswire / June 13, 2025 / For many taxpayers, the term "IRS transcript" sounds like a dry document meant for accountants or audits. But according to Clear Start Tax, this internal report could be the most important tool in identifying what the IRS knows, what they're watching, and what may be coming next. Often overlooked or misunderstood, a tax transcript is a line-by-line history of how the IRS sees your account, and it's where red flags, errors, and silent collection activity first appear. "A lot of people wait for a scary IRS letter in the mail," said the Head of Client Solutions at Clear Start Tax. "But by the time the letter arrives, the IRS may have already made a move. The transcript tells the story before enforcement begins if you know how to read it." What Is an IRS Tax Transcript - and Why It Matters An IRS tax transcript is a downloadable record that shows return information, wage reporting, payment history, refund activity, and internal IRS codes tied to collections or audits. Clear Start Tax says it's one of the first documents they pull when reviewing a client's case. Taxpayers can request their transcript online at or by submitting Form 4506-T. There are several types, but the Account Transcript and Wage & Income Transcript are often the most revealing. What Red Flags Could Be Hiding Inside Clear Start Tax warns that IRS systems rely heavily on automation, and transcripts can silently show when a taxpayer's account is being reviewed, flagged, or prepared for enforcement. Key signs that may appear in a transcript: Transaction codes showing levy or lien preparationMissing filings or unreported 1099/W-2 incomeRefund holds or offsets due to outstanding balancesSubstitute for Return (SFR) assessments when no return is filedPayment reversals or dishonored payments the IRS sees as non-compliance "We've seen transcripts where the client had no idea they were on track for garnishment," said the Head of Client Solutions at Clear Start Tax. "But the IRS had already processed flags and updated their status behind the scenes." Errors You Might Not Know Exist Many clients are shocked to learn that their transcripts contain clerical mistakes, misapplied payments, or unfiled returns they thought were submitted. In some cases, wage data is incorrect, or the IRS has assessed tax based on substitute returns without deductions, inflating the amount owed. These inaccuracies can cause enforcement to escalate, even when the taxpayer thought they were compliant. By answering a few simple questions, taxpayers can find out if they're eligible for the IRS Fresh Start Program and take the first step toward resolving their tax debt. How Clear Start Tax Uses Transcripts to Protect Clients Clear Start Tax begins every resolution case with a full transcript audit, reviewing IRS activity, matching it with client documentation, and identifying risks before they lead to liens or levies. This proactive approach allows their team to: Flag inaccurate balances or datesCorrect reporting issues and reestablish complianceIdentify program eligibility (like Fresh Start or hardship status)Halt enforcement by addressing problems early About Clear Start Tax Clear Start Tax is a full-service tax liability resolution firm that serves taxpayers throughout the United States. The company specializes in assisting individuals and businesses with a wide range of IRS and state tax issues, including back taxes, wage garnishment relief, IRS appeals, and offers in compromise. Clear Start Tax helps taxpayers apply for the IRS Fresh Start Program, providing expert guidance in tax resolution. Fully accredited and A+ rated by the Better Business Bureau, the firm's unique approach and commitment to long-term client success distinguish it as a leader in the tax resolution industry. Need Help With Back Taxes? Click the link below: 710-3533 Contact Information Clear Start TaxCorporate Communications Departmentseo@ 535-1627 SOURCE: Clear Start Tax
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
German defense chief pledges $10 billion in Ukraine aid for 2025
THE HAGUE, Netherlands — Germany is on track to give €9 billion ($10.4 billion) in aid to Ukraine in 2025, maintaining the country's position as one of Kyiv's key backers. The amount was announced by Berlin's defense minister, Boris Pistorius, during his visit to Ukraine on June 12. It marks the fifth time that Pistorius has visited Kyiv since the outbreak of the war when Russia invaded its neighbor in February 2022. Some of the forthcoming assistance will take the form of joint ventures between the German and Ukrainian military-industrial complexes, an idea that was presented earlier this year and has been pushed by Germany's new conservative leadership. Joint defense production projects are in line to get €1.9 billion ($2.2 billion) of the overall funding. Part of the amount will be dedicated to financing long-range weapon systems that will be manufactured in Ukraine. Under the arrangement, Germany will provide funding while Ukraine will contribute its battlefield-tested technological know-how. 'The first systems should be available in the next few months,' Pistorius said during a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, who in turn said that the joint venture was an expression of deep trust in Berlin. Pistorius noted that 'the picture of war has changed' from traditional tanks and jets to electromagnetic warfare and drone combat, making this technological exchange valuable for both countries. The Social Democratic defense minister, who has often been at odds with his own party, has pushed forcefully for German rearmament and a more prominent military posture on the world stage. Also in Kyiv, Pistorius addressed a longstanding elephant in the room by saying that Germany was not planning to transfer its Taurus cruise missiles, widely considered one of the most advanced available, to Kyiv. 'Since you asked me whether we are considering this, my answer is no,' Pistorius told a journalist. The government of Chancellor Friedrich Merz had previously maintained a purposely ambiguous posture on the matter. However, Germany will deliver more IRIS-T air defense systems to Ukraine. Zelenskyy stated that the assistance would be provided under a three-year plan, but said he would not provide further details. The Ukrainian president did, however, let slip that he expects Ukraine to localize the production of 'very high-quality' German air defense systems, which may suggest a plan to produce the systems inside the country. Currently, IRIS-T air defense systems are made in Germany. The supply plan builds on substantial existing contracts. In May, Ukraine and Germany signed a €2.2 billion ($2.54 billion) contract for IRIS-T systems and missiles, covering four complete surface-launched units with mobile launchers, radars, command centers, and missiles. Air defense has been identified as one of the key priorities for Ukraine in light of relentless Russian strikes on Ukrainian cities using cruise missiles and drones. Germany's total aid in support of Ukraine amounts to €48 billion ($55.5 billion) since the start of the war, as of April 30, the government said in response to a parliamentary inquiry. Of that, €15.6 billion ($18 billion) was military assistance. Germany remains the largest supporter of Ukraine aside from the United States. Under Merz's chancellorship, Berlin has stopped releasing detailed tallies of its military support to Kyiv, citing operational security.
