CenturyLink vs. T-Mobile 5G Home Internet

CenturyLink mainly offers DSL and fiber internet, whereas T-Mobile 5G Home Internet provides fixed wireless service for residential homes only. The latter is newer to the market but already covers more than 30 million households. T-Mobile 5G Home Internet is a faster wireless connection alternative for rural residents who’ve been stuck with slow and unreliable satellite internet service.

Looking at download speeds, CenturyLink offers faster speeds than T-Mobile 5G Home Internet. Its highest-priced fiber plan has download speeds up to 940 Mbps, which is more than T-Mobile 5G Home Internet’s download speeds between 72-245 Mbps. If speed is your primary concern, then CenturyLink takes the lead.

Both CenturyLink and T-Mobile 5G Home Internet offer unlimited data and don’t require contracts with their plans.

CenturyLink and T-Mobile 5G Home Internet have similar price ranges for their plans, but if you’re looking for perks and signup incentives, T-Mobile is known to offer more deals. Keep in mind that these deals are more for the wider scope of T-Mobile’s services like mobile and TV rather than its 5G home internet. On the other hand, CenturyLink rarely offers deals, and when they do, it’s for new subscribers.

Despite offering faster download speeds than T-Mobile 5G Home Internet, CenturyLink has limited availability for its fiber plans. CenturyLink’s DSL plan also costs the same as its lowest-priced fiber plan ($50 per month), with the difference being the download speeds.

T-Mobile 5G Home Internet doesn’t have many plan options like CenturyLink. Both, however, offer straightforward pricing, meaning price hikes aren’t going to be an issue if you sign up for either provider. In general, download speeds vary by location, and for T-Mobile 5G Home Internet, you might experience slower speeds during high-traffic times.

CenturyLink vs. T-Mobile 5G Home Internet: Bundles

CenturyLink and T-Mobile 5G Home Internet don’t offer traditional TV services, so you won’t find cable TV bundled with their internet offerings. Instead, both providers offer bundles that include their phone services. CenturyLink’s bundles start at $90 per month, while T-Mobile 5G Home Internet’s bundles vary depending on current promotions.

CenturyLink partners with DIRECTV, DIRECTV STREAM, and DISH to offer TV packages rather than bundles. Similarly, T-Mobile 5G Home Internet suggests pairing YouTube TV or Philo with their internet service.

CenturyLink vs. T-Mobile 5G Home Internet: Extra Fees and Contracts

Neither CenturyLink nor T-Mobile 5G Home Internet requires contracts for their internet plans. The latter has no monthly fees, while CenturyLink has a long list. CenturyLink charges a one-time $19.99 activation fee, a $15-per-month equipment rental fee, and a non-return equipment fee of up to $150. T-Mobile 5G Home Internet charges the non-return equipment fee only, but it can cost as much as $370.

Installation

T-Mobile 5G Home Internet doesn’t charge for self- or professional installation. CenturyLink’s standard installation costs $15, while professional installation costs $149. Whether you want the technician to set up everything in or outside your home, your installation costs with CenturyLink will vary greatly.

Data Cap

CenturyLink and T-Mobile 5G Home Internet don’t have data caps on their internet plans, which means you won’t have to worry about data overage fees.

CenturyLink vs. T-Mobile 5G Home Internet: Customer Satisfaction

T-Mobile 5G Home Internet excels in customer service, receiving high rankings across the board. CenturyLink, however, has received many complaints related to unresolved issues, fees, speeds, and repairs. So in terms of addressing its customers’ needs and concerns, T-Mobile does a better job.