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CNET
04-06-2025
- Business
- CNET
Verizon 5G Home Internet vs. T-Mobile 5G Home Internet: The Battle for the Best 5G Fixed Wireless Broadband Service
Verizon vs. T-Mobile: Which company does 5G home internet better? 5G home internet, where internet service reaches your home router over the air instead of via a cable, has been making a lot of noise lately. It was a customer satisfaction favorite among internet types in 2024. You probably already know that T-Mobile and Verizon are the top players in the game (no disrespect to AT&T Internet Air). These two telecom companies dominate the 5G fixed wireless internet market and often compete for customers. But which one offers an overall better service? CNET picks T-Mobile 5G Home Internet as the better internet service provider due to its wide availability. You can find coverage in more locations across the country (including rural areas), offering internet connectivity to more people. Verizon 5G Home internet has faster speeds on average, but falls short on coverage. In recent years, T-Mobile has also performed better than Verizon regarding customer satisfaction, though it's close between the two companies. T-Mobile 5G Home Internet nabbed the top spot among nonfiber ISPs in the 2025 American Customer Satisfaction Index, with Verizon 5G Home Internet right behind it. T-Mobile also had the second-highest score among all ISPs in the 2024 J.D. Power Survey. Zooey Liao/CNET Offering broadband services in rural areas is important. However, in order to maintain competition, T-Mobile 5G Home Internet and Verizon 5G Home must also appeal to urban and suburban customers. T-Mobile has made headlines by introducing new plans with faster speeds and some streaming perks that compete with Verizon's history of formidable perks and streaming add-ons. Keep in mind that the best internet provider for you will probably be the one that caters to your needs and is available in your area. Note: All prices listed on this page reflect available discounts for setting up paperless billing. If you decide not to go with automatic monthly payments, your price will be higher. Locating local internet providers T-Mobile 5G Home Internet Better coverage and reaches more rural areas Our take - T-Mobile 5G Home Internet has the broadest reach of any fixed wireless internet provider. By utilizing its 4G LTE network and the expanding 5G grid, T-Mobile has aggressively expanded its coverage map and offered its services to more households than Verizon's 5G solution. Read full review Or call to learn more: (877) 519-7610 Check with T-Mobile Show more details Compare Verizon 5G Home Boasts faster speeds Our take - Verizon 5G Home uses ultrawideband 5G technology to deliver maximum download speeds close to 1 gigabit for select addresses and average download speeds of 300 megabits per second. That's the fastest average download speed delivered by a major fixed wireless provider. Read full review Or call to learn more: (888) 461-3204 Check with Verizon Show more details Compare Verizon 5G Home and T-Mobile 5G Home Internet comparison Plan Max speeds Monthly price Equipment fee Data cap Contract T-Mobile Rely Internet Read full review 87-318Mbps download, 14-56Mbps upload $50 ($35 for eligible Go5G Plus and Magenta Max mobile customers) None None None T-Mobile Amplified Internet Read full review 133-415Mbps download, 12-55Mbps upload $60 ($45 for eligible Go5G Plus and Magenta Max mobile customers) None None None T-Mobile All-In Internet Read full review 133-415Mbps download, 12-55Mbps upload $70 ($55 for eligible Go5G Plus and Magenta Max mobile customers) None None None Verizon 5G Home Read full review 300Mbps download, 20Mbps upload $50 ($35 with qualifying Verizon 5G mobile plans) None None None Verizon 5G Home Plus Read full review 1,000Mbps download, 75Mbps upload $70 ($45 with qualifying Verizon 5G mobile plans) None None None Show more (0 item) Shop providers at my address Source: CNET analysis of provider data. What to know about 5G home internet before signing up 5G continues to roll out nationwide, offering millimeter-wave cellular speeds at higher, faster frequencies than 4G LTE. That's great news for our phones and other smart gadgets connecting over cellular airwaves. And it could be a game changer for our homes, too. With the potential for near-gigabit speeds over the air that rival cable and fiber internet service providers -- plus the added appeal of straightforward, consumer-friendly terms that ditch data caps, equipment fees and the like -- 5G is shaping up to become one of the most exciting developments in residential internet in years. T-Mobile 5G signals are extremely convenient -- much more convenient than installing a fiber or cable network -- but the signal doesn't reach everywhere. The first hurdle with 5G home internet service is whether it's available at your address. Though you may get cell service from T-Mobile or Verizon, that doesn't automatically mean you'll get home internet at your address. Verizon and T-Mobile are the providers doing the most to expand 5G's availability for home internet use, though the providers do have another competitor in AT&T's 5G home internet rollout, AT&T Internet Air. AT&T doesn't boast the same availability as Verizon or T-Mobile, with a coverage of just 14% of the US, according to the Federal Communications Commission. However, all providers offer dedicated 5G fixed wireless home internet plans that promise fast speeds and simple terms at competitive rates. In some areas, you might even find that your home is serviceable by both Verizon and T-Mobile, as my former CNET colleague Eli Blumenthal discovered in his quest to replace his cable provider. Verizon 5G Home vs. T-Mobile 5G Home Internet: Plans and pricing T-Mobile/CNET Are you tired of deciphering which broadband package to choose out of countless options? Both Verizon and T-Mobile lean into providing a no-strings-attached broadband experience, a welcome relief for many internet users. Each provider offers simplified 5G home internet plans requiring no term agreements, no data caps and no additional monthly equipment fees. Verizon offers two plan options: Verizon 5G Home and Verizon 5G Home Plus. Verizon 5G Home comes with a three-year price guarantee and lower download speeds, while Verizon 5G Home Plus locks in your price for four years, plus higher download speeds and a slew of additional perks, which we'll outline in the perks and promos section below. T-Mobile now offers three home internet plans, though two feature the same speeds. T-Mobile Rely Internet costs $50 monthly for speeds ranging between 87 to 318Mbps download and 14-56Mbps upload. T-Mobile Amplified Internet Plus costs $60 for speeds ranging from 133 to 415Mbps download and 12 to 55Mbps upload and T-Mobile All-In Internet costs $70 monthly for the same speeds but includes a mesh Wi-Fi router to extend the range of coverage throughout the house and 24/7 "interactive video support," according to T-Mobile's website. T-Mobile also rolled out its Home Internet Backup plan that you can use in the case of power or internet outages or during natural disasters that interrupt connectivity. For $20 a month, you get up to 130GB, which is admittedly not very much, but this internet option isn't intended for heavy or regular usage. T-Mobile offers this internet option as a backup to your current internet plan. Getty Images/Tharon Green/CNET Which is faster? While 5G can reach gigabit download speeds and Verizon advertises its 5G Home Plus plan as maxing out at 1,000Mbps, don't expect those top-end numbers from either provider's home internet product. T-Mobile says on its site that customers can expect "average download speeds in excess of 100Mbps," and that people typically experience ranges from 87 to 318Mbps. Why so relatively low? T-Mobile 5G Home Internet relies on its growing 5G grid and existing 4G LTE network to expedite its availability. So don't expect a pure 5G experience. Still, thanks to upgraded gateway routers, T-Mobile can offer faster speeds on average than previously offered, meaning you could see speeds up to 415Mbps (though probably not consistently). CNET's Amanda Kooser has used T-Mobile 5G Home Internet for over two years and has encountered inconsistent speeds in her home. "During congestion, Home Internet customers may notice speeds lower than other customers due to data prioritization," reads the first sentence of T-Mobile 5G Home Internet's general terms. "Service may be slowed, suspended, terminated, or restricted for misuse, abnormal use, interference with our network or ability to provide quality service to other users." In other words, you may experience some slowed internet speeds during peak hours, like after 5 p.m. Unlike with data caps, however, there's no allotment of "priority data" and no overage fees for consuming too much data. On the other hand, Verizon tells its subscribers to expect average download speeds of around 300Mbps. Verizon's dependence on its Ultra Wideband 5G network (and lesser use of its "4G LTE backup") is the main reason for the faster speeds. It uses low-band, midband and millimeter-wave technology to offer speeds that could get as high as 1,000Mbps for some lucky people. Which offers the best value? When trying to gauge the best deal for your home, it's essential to look at the cost per Mbps to better understand the actual value. Considering the average download speed of 100Mbps for that basic $50 monthly fee, T-Mobile's Rely Internet rings in at 50 cents per Mbps, comparable to what you might pay for a midrange cable internet plan. If you have a qualifying Go5G Plus or Magenta Max mobile plan, you can trim that to $35 a month or 35 cents per Mbps. T-Mobile's Amplified Internet comes in at 60 cents comparatively, a steep price without a bundling discount, while T-Mobile All-In Internet rings in at 70 cents. Verizon 5G Home, which averages 125Mbps, matches that amount at a cost per Mbps of 40 cents. If you choose the Verizon 5G Plus plan, which averages 300Mbps, your monthly bill is $70, but that cost per Mbps goes down to just under 24 cents. Customers with qualifying Verizon mobile plans will get $15 off the monthly cost of either plan. If you can use that additional discount, it makes Verizon 5G Home -- the regular plan at 28 cents per Mbps and the Plus plan at an even better 15 cents per Mbps -- one of the most affordable out there compared to any cable internet plans by competitors. What about the fine print? Let's revisit that idea of the no-strings-attached internet experience. Verizon and T-Mobile are eager to get customers to try their 5G home internet offerings, so no hidden fees or taxes are added to the monthly cost. As we mentioned before, there's no contract or data cap. There's also no additional equipment rental fee, installation fee or other trap fees (although T-Mobile does charge a one-time, $35 activation fee), so it's a win-win for both providers and their customers. Verizon 5G Home vs. T-Mobile 5G Home Internet: Who can get it? FCC Neither provider offers a detailed coverage map for its 5G home internet solution. However, considering the list of cities they claim to cover and the total number of households, T-Mobile is in the lead. While Verizon 5G Home internet is available to approximately 40 million homes nationwide, T-Mobile 5G Home Internet reaches over 50 million households and serves almost 60% of the US population. In contrast, Verizon's 5G service is now available in more than 2,700 cities, covering only 21% of the country. Overall, T-Mobile 5G Home Internet has nearly 7 million customers (according to a recent Q1 2025 report), while Verizon's latest earnings report shows the company's subscriber base at 4.8 million. That's a sizable piece of the broadband pie for both upstart fixed wireless offerings. Verizon 5G Home vs. T-Mobile 5G Home Internet: Perks and promos Still not convinced by the straightforward terms both T-Mobile and Verizon put forward? They'll try to sway you with their promotional offers. First, T-Mobile and Verizon are so confident in their 5G home products that each offers to pay any early termination fees for new customers who break their current ISP contract, up to $500 for Verizon and $750 from T-Mobile. Second, they each offer similar discounts for eligible mobile customers. T-Mobile and Verizon will shave off $15 to $25 if you bundle your home internet with eligible mobile plans. Verizon offers some solid perks. All Verizon plans include a price lock of three to four years. If you sign up for 5G Home, you can get a Nintendo Switch and YouTube Premium for six months for free. Verizon 5G Home Plus subscribers will also receive those same promotions, plus a choice of either a $400 discount on select Samsung products or a JBL PartyBox On-the-Go Essential. Comparatively, T-Mobile's latest deal for new customers who sign up online is a prepaid Mastercard card worth $300. All T-Mobile 5G Home Internet customers get a five-year price guarantee. Lastly, the All-In Home Internet plan also features Hulu (with ads) and a Paramount Plus subscription. Verizon 5G Home vs. T-Mobile 5G Home Internet: What do customers have to say? We refer to two of the top customer satisfaction surveys within our ISP reviews -- J.D. Power and the American Customer Satisfaction Index -- and they consistently place T-Mobile and Verizon at the top of their rankings. Verizon 5G scored 605 points to T-Mobile's 649 in the J.D. Power study. The national average in that study was 630, which means that T-Mobile performed above average. ACSI Similarly, over at the ACSI's 2025 survey, T-Mobile 5G Home Internet impressively led all nonfiber ISPs with a score of 78 out of 100, well above the ACSI industry average of 70 points. But can you guess which provider was right behind it? Verizon 5G Home internet took second place, scoring 77 points, also above the ACSI industry average. Anecdotally, one of our CNET writers tested T-Mobile during its pilot program and preferred it over his previous provider, Xfinity. Final thoughts T-Mobile and Verizon are still aggressively building their 5G networks, so we're closer to the story's beginning than the middle or end, especially regarding 5G fixed wireless internet overall. T-Mobile 5G Home Internet has a slight edge over Verizon 5G Home internet in availability and customer satisfaction. Adding its 4G LTE network to 5G makes it a much more viable pick, particularly in rural and underserved areas of the country, where it's a compelling alternative to options like satellite or DSL. Verizon 5G Home internet takes the lead in performance, featuring nearly triple the current download speeds of T-Mobile 5G Home Internet with the addition of more enticing perks and bundles. As such, T-Mobile may have the upper hand now, but Verizon seems poised to provide a higher upside in the future as the best fixed wireless internet in cities where the two overlap. Verizon 5G Home vs. T-Mobile 5G Home Internet FAQs Is T-Mobile 5G Home Internet better than Verizon 5G Home? It depends on how you define "better." T-Mobile 5G Home Internet is available to more households than Verizon 5G Home internet, so it's got the edge there. Verizon 5G Home internet boasts a higher average download speed (300Mbps), so it can claim a win in that category. Ultimately, the product that will be best for you is the one that's available at your address and can provide enough download speed to enable your household to do what it needs to do. Show more Which internet service provider has the best 5G coverage? Not to sound like a broken record, but it depends on how you define "best 5G coverage." If you're looking strictly at the number of people covered, T-Mobile 5G Home Internet is the ISP with the best 5G coverage. If you define "best" by which provider has the better download speed performance, then the winner is Verizon 5G Home internet. It has a top end of 1,000Mbps compared to T-Mobile's 415Mbps. Can you work from home using Verizon 5G Home or T-Mobile 5G Home Internet? Yes. Verizon 5G Home internet and T-Mobile 5G Home Internet should provide near or above the FCC's broadband speed definition of at least 100Mbps download and 20Mbps upload. Both fixed wireless products, in urban and suburban areas, won't give you as many options as some cable and fiber providers. On the flip side, Verizon 5G Home and T-Mobile 5G Home Internet are cheaper (especially with their mobile discounts) and you'll have the opportunity to try them out at very little risk to see if they'll be adequate for your home office needs. Show more
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Verizon's Total Wireless Now Has Cheaper 5G Home Internet
Verizon's prepaid brand, Total Wireless, has lowered the price of its 5G Home Internet service for qualifying customers. You can now get 5G home internet for as low as $35/month. Typically, the service cost $45 per month with autopay for both existing and new mobile customers. With this deal, it is available for just $35 per month with autopay when combined with a qualifying Total Wireless 5G Unlimited mobile plan or a higher-tier plan. This is a big drop of $10 per month, helping budget-conscious customers save money. You can visit the official website to check out the offer. The $35 price includes a $10 monthly discount for signing up for autopay, which starts the month after enrollment. As part of a limited-time deal, new customers can also get a Total Wireless Home Internet router for only $24.99 when they activate new home internet service. This reduces the upfront cost of getting the necessary equipment, making it easier for new users to switch. The Total Wireless Home Internet plan seems pretty good. It does not require a contract, so subscribers are not locked into a long-term agreement. Also, Total Wireless promises to keep the price at $35 for five years, giving customers stable and predictable costs. The service runs on Verizon's 5G network, which will likely never beat fiber optic, but it should still be reasonably fast and reliable in the supported service areas. Total Wireless is also working more closely with Verizon Fios to help customers save even more. Starting May 28, people who bundle eligible Verizon Fios home internet plans with compatible mobile phone plans will get a $15 monthly discount on their Fios bill. However, to keep getting this discount, customers must continue their eligible phone plan and Fios home internet service, and keep autopay turned on for their Fios account. To make Fios home internet even more accessible, Total Wireless will start selling Fios plans in some retail stores. Beginning June 5, select Total Wireless locations in New England and the Mid-Atlantic areas where Fios is available will offer Fios home internet plans in-store. It is worth noting that Total Wireless's 5G Home Internet service is not completely new—it first arrived in early 2024, when the carrier was called Total by Verizon. However, this new announcement makes the service much more affordable and easier to get. The price cut to $35 and the low-cost router offer makes the service much more competitive. Unlimited internet for $35 is a pretty good deal. However, keep in mind that you may not always get fast speeds, and that you'll be going to 5G internet, which is not the same as a satellite or cable company's speeds, which tend to be better. Even still, there has never been a better time to move to 5G if your area has the service and your regular ISP isn't worth the headache. Source: Verizon
Associated Press
02-04-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
T-Mobile Home Internet Launches Spring Savings Offers — Switch and Get Over $1000
BELLEVUE, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apr 2, 2025-- Ready for a fresh start this spring? Today, T-Mobile (NASDAQ: TMUS) announced new 5G Home Internet offers making it easy and affordable to switch, just in time for moving season, spring cleaning or any occasion, really. Starting tomorrow, April 3, for a limited time, people can: Get up to $1,050 when switching to T-Mobile Home Internet. Customers can get a $300 virtual Mastercard when switching to All-In Internet or a $200 virtual Mastercard when choosing Amplified Internet, plus up to $750 to cover early termination fees from a previous internet service provider (ISP). Available for a limited time on Save $20/mo on 5G Home Internet when switching and bundling with any T-Mobile 55+ voice plan. This means eligible customers can get two wireless lines with Essentials Choice 55 and the Rely Home Internet plan starting at just $90/mo with AutoPay … that's saving at least 35% compared to similar plans at AT&T and Verizon. Spring Forward with T-Mobile Home Internet Spring is all about new beginnings. Whether moving into a new home or just looking for a better internet option, T-Mobile has a range of perk-packed Home Internet plans to fit people's various needs. Plans start at just $35/mo with AutoPay and a voice line for the Wi-Fi essentials — or $30/mo with any 55+ voice plan for a limited time. Those looking for even more can check out T-Mobile's Amplified and All-In plans which include access to up to $300 a year in benefits depending on the plan, including subscriptions to Hulu and Paramount+ (on Us!), Advanced Cyber Security features and more. All T-Mobile Home Internet plans include the standout perks that make T-Mobile 5G Home Internet a customer favorite (seriously — just ask J.D. Power and others). Enjoy free two-day shipping of the gateway when signing up online, no equipment fees, no annual contracts, unlimited data, an easy 15-minute self-install and a 15-day worry-free trial. Plus, with Price Lock, customers can rest assured that their price for 5G Internet won't change (exclusions like taxes and fees apply). And this all comes on top of Home Internet service that's powered by the largest and fastest 5G network in the U.S. Bundle and Save In addition to getting knockout perks and internet with T-Mobile 5G Home Internet, those that bundle with wireless can unlock even more savings and value. On top of saving $15/mo on Home Internet when bundling with any voice line — or $20/mo with any 55+ plan for a limited time — T-Mobile wireless customers get VIP treatment with Magenta Status, complete with the best entertainment streaming bundle in wireless, weekly perks and freebies through T-Mobile Tuesdays and more. Plus, they can enjoy access to exclusive travel discounts and experiences with top hotel and rental car brands, free in-flight Wi-Fi, free high-speed data abroad, discounts on concert and festival tickets and more. It's all about giving customers more. More value, more savings and more perks, just for being a T-Mobile customer. Starting tomorrow, for more information on T-Mobile 5G Home Internet and how to get up to $1,050 for switching, visit And, starting tomorrow, for more information on the Home Internet and 55+ bundle, visit and head to a T-Mobile store or call to sign up. Follow @TMobileNews on X, formerly known as Twitter, to stay up to date with the latest company news. Savings compares two voice lines and one internet line of T-Mobile Essentials Choice 55 and Rely Home Internet to regular rates with bundle discounts for Verizon Unlimited Welcome and 5G Home Internet or AT&T Unlimited Starter SL and Internet Air. Taxes and fees additional. T-Mobile Voice and Internet Bundle Pricing via monthly bill credit for new internet lines. Credits will stop if you cancel lines or change plans. AutoPay discount requires bank account or debit card, otherwise $5 more/line/mo. Like all plans, features may change or be discontinued at any time; see T-Mobile Terms and Conditions for details. Price Lock guarantees accounts with qualifying service can keep their regular monthly rate plan price for fixed-wireless 5G internet data; excludes taxes/fees, voluntary equipment upgrades, future wireless generations, select limited-time promotions, per-use charges, third-party services, and network management practices. Virtual prepaid cards require 60 days service before validation. Allow 10 weeks. $200 back: Available for digital activations, not available in retail. Up to $750 back for ETF: Submit proof of ETF & 90+ days in good standing w/ ISP within 60 days of new Internet service activation. We might ask for more information. J.D. Power: T-Mobile received the highest score nationally among wireless internet providers in the J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Residential Internet Service Provider Satisfaction Study, which measures customers' satisfaction of service with their current internet provider. Visit for more details. About T-Mobile T-Mobile US, Inc. (NASDAQ: TMUS) is America's supercharged Un-carrier, delivering an advanced 4G LTE and transformative nationwide 5G network that will offer reliable connectivity for all. T-Mobile's customers benefit from its unmatched combination of value and quality, unwavering obsession with offering them the best possible service experience and undisputable drive for disruption that creates competition and innovation in wireless and beyond. Based in Bellevue, Wash., T-Mobile provides services through its subsidiaries and operates its flagship brands, T-Mobile, Metro by T-Mobile and Mint Mobile. For more information please visit: [email protected] Relations Contact T-Mobile US, Inc. SOURCE: T-Mobile Copyright Business Wire 2025. PUB: 04/02/2025 09:21 AM/DISC: 04/02/2025 09:22 AM
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
T‑Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon: The Leading 5G Stocks for Investor Portfolios
T-Mobile US (TMUS), AT&T (T), and Verizon (VZ) are slugging it out in the 5G arena, each a telecom titan with a unique market offering for U.S. consumers. T-Mobile shares are favored due to strong medium-term financial guidance, with a 7% EBITDA and 8% free cash flow growth projected through 2027. Meanwhile, AT&T shared its shareholder return plans, which include $20 billion in dividends and $20 billion in share buybacks over the next three years. Verizon throws its hat into the ring with its acquisition of Frontier, which is expected to accelerate fiber reach, reduce churn, and improve financial returns. Easily identify stocks' risks and opportunities. Discover stocks' market position with detailed competitor analyses. All in all, one's a brash upstart tearing up the track, another a legacy name clawing its way back, and the third a seasoned champ tweaking its playbook. T-Mobile is wearing the 5G crown like a badge of honor, and it's not slowing down. The company just had the best year in its history, adding over 3 million postpaid phone customers for the third year in a row. In the holiday quarter alone, T‑Mobile attracted 903,000 postpaid phone net additions, more than its rivals managed, while topping forecasts in the process. The strategy was quite simple–by trusting the playbook that got it here in the first place: aggressive offers and a network that consistently outshines the others. Independent testers at Ookla and OpenSignal now routinely find T‑Mobile's 5G speeds and coverage to be the best nationwide. Meanwhile, over 60% of new subscribers are snapping up premium 'Go5G' plans, loaded with extras like Netflix, juicing the value of each customer. For context, its 5G Home Internet gambit hooked 428,000 households last quarter, dominating broadband growth for three years straight. All this market hustle helped TMUS churn out a record $17 billion in free cash flow, which management split between hefty share buybacks and network upgrades. Looking ahead, T-Mobile seems to be betting big, aiming for 5.5 to 6 million new customers in 2025, nearly twice what analysts had previously penciled in. I think that's quite a gutsy call in a market that's starting to feel crowded, which forms an incredibly bullish case for T-Mobile. On Wall Street, most analysts covering the stock are bullish. TMUS stock has a Moderate Buy consensus rating based on 14 Buy and six Hold ratings over the past three months. TMUS's average price target of $266.22 per share implies a 1% upside potential over the next twelve months. AT&T is playing a more patient game, stitching 5G wireless and fiber broadband into a mix that's starting to click. Last quarter, the company snagged 482,000 postpaid phone subscribers, also beating forecasts, driven by dangling discounts for bundling mobile with high-speed home internet. Fiber added 307,000 users, its strongest holiday quarter yet, pushing broadband revenue up 7.7%. CEO John Stankey loves to point out that where AT&T rolls out fiber, it usually wins the customer, and it's indeed been piling on over a million fiber subscribers per year for seven consecutive years. Retention is another feather in AT&T's cap, as it claimed the industry's lowest churn for the fourth straight year. In a world where everyone's already got a phone, keeping them happy and willing to spend money on your network counts as much as winning new ones. But this comeback isn't cheap. Laying fiber and boosting 5G comprised $22 billion in capital spending last year, a hefty price tag for a payoff that's years out. In addition, note that AT&T's overall growth remains sluggish, stuck in the low single digits, and the stock continues to be ruffled by old scars (remember its costly media detours). Still, AT&T is shedding debt, eyeing modest buybacks in 2025, and even tossing out automatic bill credits for outages to keep folks loyal. The stock's investment case is certainly not as flashy as TMUS's, but with plans to hit 50 million fiber locations by 2029, AT&T is building a future-proof network. This slow-and-steady approach might surprise the doubters in a pricing war with shrinking room for new subscriptions. Wall Street appears somewhat more excited about AT&T, with the stock carrying a Strong Buy consensus rating based on 17 Buy and four Hold ratings over the past three months. AT&T's average price target of $27.79 per share implies just 0.25% upside over the next twelve months, mirroring TMUS's soft return outlook. Verizon spent years as the undisputed heavyweight of U.S. wireless, famed for its network quality, above-average margins, and hefty, reliable dividend. Lately, though, the fight has gotten tougher, and Verizon has taken some bruises. The good news? The telecom giant showed it can still throw a punch, adding 568,000 postpaid phone subscribers in the fourth quarter, its best showing in five years. This was driven by holiday iPhone promos and a new 'myPlan' that lets users mix and match perks. Interestingly, over half its customers have now jumped to these flexible plans, a page from T-Mobile's book that's finally paying off. Even its sleepy home broadband business woke up, hitting 4.6 million 5G Home Internet subs and $2.1 billion in fresh revenue. CEO Hans Vestberg's got his sights on 8–9 million by 2028, a leap powered by 5G antennas skipping the trench-digging hassle. In the meantime, billions of dollars have sunk into the mid-band C-band spectrum for 5G, balancing the need for speed and coverage to keep its network competitive with T‑Mobile's. Moreover, enterprise bets, including private networks and an AI Connect platform, hint at new frontiers. Yet, for all the progress, Verizon knows it's in a dogfight. Winning back subscribers has come at a cost, as those phone promos hit short-term margins, and the company's 2025 profit outlook is basically flat (0% to 3% growth). So, despite boasting 20 years of consecutive annual dividend increases and now offering a hefty yield of 6.3%, I urge income-oriented investors to always remain alarmed over the possibility of a dividend cut in case Verizon needs to retain more capital for growth. Wall Street appears relatively optimistic about Verizon as well. The stock has gathered a Moderate Buy consensus rating based on six Buy and 11 Hold ratings over the past three months. Verizon's average price target of $46.47 per share implies a 5.6% upside potential over the next twelve months. In this 5G crossroads, each telecom giant is writing a different chapter. T‑Mobile is the brash sprinter, grabbing customers and touting a network narrative that has (so far) lived up to the hype. AT&T is the methodical marathon runner, laying fiber groundwork and refining its bundle to keep steady cash flows. Verizon, the seasoned heavyweight, is learning new tricks to stay in the fight, from flexible plans to tapping new tech markets. Overall, the 5G race is far from over. In fact, the next leg (think 5G Advanced upgrades and even 6G down the road) will demand yet more investment and ingenuity. What's clear is that guaranteed growth in the space is a thing of the past. Now, it's about executing smarter and squeezing more value out of each subscriber. The real question is, which path will be the most rewarding in the long run? The answer may be how these strategies play out over the next few pivotal years in the wireless landscape. Nevertheless, picking 'the one' winner proves incredibly tough and highly speculative. Disclosure Disclaimer & DisclosureReport an Issue Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
16-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Best Internet Providers in Louisville, Kentucky
CNET recommends AT&T Fiber as the best internet provider in Louisville, Kentucky. It's not hard to see why. The ISP offers the fastest average speeds in the Louisville area but it can go as high as 5 GIG for $245. With its speedy plans, you'll have little trouble doing most things, whether streaming your favorite show on Netflix or working remotely. However, other solid providers exist for those who can't get AT&T Fiber at their home address or area. Louisville is 19th among the top 20 US cities regarding median internet download speeds, at just 258Mbps. That's much faster internet than some of the bigger cities such as Charlotte, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles and New York. Louisville has several internet service providers throughout the area, including big names like AT&T, Spectrum (aka Charter Communications) and T-Mobile. Options include fiber, 5G, cable connections and even unlimited data plans. We're calling the race for AT&T Fiber as the best ISP in Louisville. Even if it's not available at your address, CNET can help you choose the right internet provider for your needs. Note: The prices, speeds and features detailed in the article text may differ from those listed in the product detail cards, which represent providers' national offerings. Your particular internet service options -- including prices and speeds -- depend on your address and may differ from those detailed here. The providers listed above aren't necessarily the only ones you'll come across in Louisville, just the ones we'd recommend most. Here's a quick look at all Louisville ISPs that may be worth your consideration. Louisville has several other ISPs available. If you're shopping for a particular price or you just want to weigh all of your options, consider the following providers who didn't make our best list. Earthlink: This provider has DSL, fiber and 5G internet plans available across Louisville. Plans start at $60 per month and speeds vary by available connection type. Kinetic by Windstream: Windstream high-speed internet is not widely available in Louisville but if you can get it at your address you may enjoy download speeds up to 1Gbps. The company also has 200Mbps and 400Mbps plans. Prices start at $40 per month. Most providers in Louisville start their internet plans at about $50 per month. Some providers will offer a lower introductory rate, so be sure to check out the long-term pricing when you're shopping for plans. Fortunately, few require an equipment fee. If you already have service with a specific phone company or television provider, you can often take advantage of cheaper internet rates in Louisville. For instance, Verizon 5G Home Internet offers the best bang for your buck at just $35 per month for up to 300Mbps, but you need to have an eligible Verizon mobile plan to take advantage of the deal. Similarly, the best Spectrum and Viasat plans come by way of bundled services. For customers who only want internet coverage and need a lot of speed to work at home and stream video, AT&T Fiber is the best option. The speeds are far superior to other options with a price tag that is competitive to other providers. For basic internet service, satellite service offers rural customers an affordable option. Thanks to AT&T's multigigabit plans, Louisville has access to some of the fastest residential internet speeds you'll find anywhere, up to 5,000Mbps. AT&T won't be your only option for high-speed internet in the area, as Spectrum and Verizon 5G offer speeds up to 1,000Mbps as well. Louisville offers some of the fastest average internet speeds in the country, much of that because of AT&T Fiber, although Spectrum is more than capable of delivering fast speeds in the area as well. Other options, particularly 5G home internet from T-Mobile or Verizon, are a little less enticing for speed potential but the low cost and high availability make the two worth a look. Internet service providers are numerous and regional. Unlike the latest smartphone, laptop, router or kitchen tool, it's impractical to personally test every ISP in a given city. What's our approach? We start by researching the pricing, availability and speed information drawing on our own historical ISP data, the provider sites and mapping information from the Federal Communications Commission at We then go to the FCC's website to check our data and ensure we're considering every ISP that provides service in an area. We also input local addresses on provider websites to find specific options for residents. To evaluate how happy customers are with an ISP's service, we look at sources including the American Customer Satisfaction Index and J.D. Power. ISP plans and prices are subject to frequent changes; all information provided is accurate as of the time of publication. Once we have this localized information, we ask three main questions: Does the provider offer access to reasonably fast internet speeds? Do customers get decent value for what they're paying? Are customers happy with their service? While the answer to those questions is often layered and complex, the providers who come closest to 'yes' on all three are the ones we recommend. When selecting the cheapest internet service, we look for the plans with the lowest monthly fee, although we also factor in price increases, equipment fees and contracts. Choosing the fastest internet service is relatively straightforward. We look at advertised upload and download speeds and consider real-world speed data from Ookla and FCC reports. (Disclosure: Ookla is owned by the same parent company as CNET, Ziff Davis.) To explore our process in more depth, visit our how we test ISPs page. AT&T Fiber offers the fastest internet service for your money, although Spectrum boasts greater availability throughout the Louisville area and offers competitive pricing. Either is a decent option for internet service, but AT&T Fiber's likely to be the better value due to faster download and upload speed potential, lower equipment fees and more stable pricing. Yes. AT&T offers fiber internet service in Louisville. The provider offers speeds up to 5,000Mbps. There are locations in Louisville with free Wi-Fi, including the public libraries. AT&T also offers an internet plan for qualifying Louisville residents in low-income households that costs $30 per month.
