The True State of High-Speed 5G Coverage in the United States: 5G Map

A High-Speed 5G Map based on user data

Our 5G cover map is our attempt to show the true state of high-speed 5G coverage in the US based on observed speed data from millions of wireless and 5G home internet subscribers. Approximately 206.4 million Americans can receive high-speed 5G coverage at home, which is roughly 62% of Americans.

What do we mean by the “true state of high-speed 5G coverage”?

Whereas many wireless carriers show nationwide coverage for 5G, there are actually three different types of 5G that offer significantly different speeds. The map below shows where users are consistently getting speeds at or above 100Mbps, which we define as true “high-speed internet” and would meet our standards for broadband internet speeds.

What are the three different types of 5G and why does it matter?

Low-band 5G is a blanket layer for nationwide coverage, and is slightly faster than 4G LTE. Mid-band 5G tends to be available in major metro areas, and its data speeds can be up to 6x faster than 4G. High-band 5G can be 10x faster than 4G LTE. To receive this service, a consumer needs to be very close to a tower. We believe the best 5G map is one that shows where users are actually receiving 100Mbps consistently.

Data and methodology:

We analyzed millions of speed tests for major wireless carriers from January 1st to June 30th through M-Labs.  In order to qualify as having 5G coverage, we needed to see a speed test above 100MB for a user within a specific zip code.  We expect to update this map quarterly.

You may notice that this map differs from some of the 5G Home Internet Availability elsewhere on BroadbandNow.  The source data for BroadbandNow’s internet listings is FCC Form 477, where providers submit their coverage data to the federal government.  This map shows where users are experiencing 100Mbps speeds based on actual test data.