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Spectrum vs. T-Mobile 5G Home Internet

Compare Spectrum and T-Mobile 5G Home Internet service in 2024

8 Plans Available
Spectrum internet
price range
$49.99 - $79.99/month
*Prices may vary depending on the plan.

PROVIDER DETAILS

  • 300 Mbps - 1 Gbps
  • Cable, Fiber
  • Unlimited Data
1 Plans Available
T-Mobile 5G Home internet
price range
$60/month
*Prices may vary depending on the plan.

PROVIDER DETAILS

  • 33 - 245 Mbps
  • Fixed Wireless
  • Unlimited Data

Learn more about Spectrum and T-Mobile 5G Home Internet:

Spectrum has 8 plans:
T-Mobile 5G Home Internet has 1 plans:

Learn more about Spectrum and T-Mobile 5G Home Internet

Spectrum is widely available in major cities like Los Angeles, New York, and Austin, providing cable Internet and traditional TV services to residents. T-Mobile 5G Home Internet has limited availability because it’s new, but 5G infrastructure continues to expand with more coverage in rural areas. Both providers are worth checking out for their Internet service, so if they’re available in your neighborhood, here’s an in-depth comparison to help you decide which one’s best for you.

Spectrum is one of the few providers that offer gigabit speeds via a cable connection rather than fiber. With download speeds ranging from up to 300 Mbps to 1 Gbps (wireless speeds may vary), Spectrum plans and bundles cater to every level of Internet user, from light to heavy. Internet-only plans are more expensive for the speeds, but Spectrum uses cable instead of fiber service to deliver fast speeds.

T-Mobile 5G Home Internet has one plan that reaches download speeds between 33 and 245 Mbps (wireless speeds may vary). It uses the latest fixed wireless technology paired with 4G LTE and 5G networks to connect residents at home to the Internet. Pricing is per month with AutoPay, slightly more expensive than Spectrum’s lowest-priced plan.

Spectrum vs T-Mobile 5G Home Internet: Best Deals

Internet Deals

If you want to take advantage of promotions, you’ll have an easier time with T-Mobile 5G Home Internet than with Spectrum. The latter seldom offers promos, especially for existing customers. But Spectrum has more variety in pricing and download speeds than T-Mobile 5G Home Internet.

Pros and Cons By Provider

Pros and Cons By Provider

Spectrum Pros

  • Fast speeds for every plan
  • Comprehensive bundling options
  • Widespread availability in the U.S.
  • No contracts or data caps

Spectrum Cons

  • Average customer service ratings
  • Expensive activation fee for gigabit service

T-Mobile 5G Home Internet Pros

  • Availability in rural areas
  • Distinguished customer service
  • Simple setup
  • No contracts or data caps

T-Mobile 5G Home Internet Cons

  • Sometimes relies on 4G LTE network
  • Slower download speeds during congestion

Although Spectrum primarily offers cable service, its speeds are as fast as those of fiber connections. It’s also widely available across the U.S., which means more residents have access to fast Internet and don’t need to rely on a fiber provider that isn’t as accessible. One of the downsides of Spectrum is that it charges a hefty activation fee for gigabit service.

T-Mobile 5G Home Internet is best for rural residents who don’t want to stick with a traditional fixed wireless or satellite Internet connection, which can be slow and unreliable. While its service is new, that doesn’t excuse it from suffering from reduced speeds during times of congestion. With that in mind, T-Mobile 5G Home Internet is far from being a mediocre service, as it’s striving toward bridging the digital divide.

Spectrum vs. T-Mobile 5G Home Internet: Packages

If you’re a cable TV enthusiast who loves sports channels, Spectrum offers a wide variety of bundles that include Internet and TV services.

T-Mobile 5G Home Internet doesn’t offer cable TV service, so you won’t find any bundle deals, but you might have a better chance with its mobile plans.

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

Both Spectrum and T-Mobile 5G Home Internet don’t require contracts for their Internet plans. That also means you won’t have to worry about early-termination fees (ETFs). T-Mobile 5G Home Internet charges a pricey non-return equipment fee of up to $370.

Installation

Whether you opt for self-installation or professional installation, Spectrum charges a fee for both. The former costs $30 for a one-time activation fee during self-setup, while the latter costs $65.

As for T-Mobile 5G Home Internet, since installation is easy, the provider doesn’t charge any fees.

Data Caps

A similarity between Spectrum and T-Mobile 5G Home Internet is that their plans don’t have data caps. You don’t have to pay data overage fees or buy extra data every month to enjoy surfing the web, streaming, or playing online video games with either provider.

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

In terms of customer service, Spectrum has average scores. It’s not the worst, but it’s also not the best. T-Mobile 5G Home Internet’s customer service fares better, as its team is dedicated to resolving customers’ issues as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Spectrum vs. T-Mobile 5G Home Internet Internet Review

We asked BroadbandNow users to review Spectrum based on four core attributes: Customer Service, Reliability, Speed, and Value.

BroadbandNow readers submitted 8707 for Spectrum. Spectrum earned an average score of 3.39 out of 5.

We asked BroadbandNow users to review T-Mobile 5G Home Internet based on four core attributes: Customer Service, Reliability, Speed, and Value.

BroadbandNow readers submitted 313 for T-Mobile 5G Home Internet. T-Mobile 5G Home Internet earned an average score of 3.11 out of 5.

Frequently Asked Questions About Spectrum and T-Mobile 5G Home Internet

  • Is Spectrum or T-Mobile 5G Home Internet cheaper?

    Spectrum is cheaper than T-Mobile 5G Home Internet, with plans starting at $49.99 per month for 12 months.

  • Which provider has faster speeds — Spectrum or T-Mobile 5G Home Internet?

    Spectrum is faster than T-Mobile 5G Home Internet, with plans reaching download speeds up to 1 Gbps (wireless speeds may vary).

  • Do Spectrum and T-Mobile 5G Home Internet have unlimited data?

    Yes, both Spectrum and T-Mobile 5G Home Internet have unlimited data on their plans.

  • Does Spectrum or T-Mobile 5G Home Internet require a contract?

    Neither Spectrum nor T-Mobile 5G Home Internet requires a contract for their Internet services.