T-Mobile offers Home and Small Business Internet plans intended to be fixed wireless products competing with traditional landline internet service providers like cable and fiber.
Plan Information
Even though these plans are intended to be used at a residential or business address like a traditional ISP, T-Mobile is not - for now at least - enforcing any location restrictions for use, only for signing up for service, where potential customers must provide an address in a valid service area.
- See our Fixed Residential Service entry for similar options from AT&T, Verizon, and others.
- Additionally, similar business-only plans are available for BYOD and include other features. Details are in our T-Mobile Business entry.
T-Mobile's ISP service includes a 5G gateway router for no extra charge, and this device must be used with the plan. The SIM cards will only work in T-Mobile's Gateway routers.
**TOP PICKS**
Top Pick Notes: T-Mobile Home Internet Plans have options we consider Top Picks worth considering. Here are the highlights of the recommended options:
Home Internet
- Device: T-Mobile Home Internet Gateway Device
- Data: Unlimited
- Price: $60/month
- Top Pick Notes: Come with additional deprioritization after 1.2TB of use in a month. This plan can only be used with the provided Home Internet Gateway Device. It is only for fixed home use, but T-Mobile has not enforced this.
- Tiered Plans: "T-Mobile Internet Lite" options are available in areas where an unlimited plan is not.
- More Info: View the 'Home/Small Business Internet' tab
Small Business Internet
- Device: T-Mobile Small Business Internet Gateway Device
- Data: Unlimited
- Price: $60/month
- Top Pick Notes: This plan can only be used with the provided Internet Gateway Device and is the same as the consumer Home Internet option, but only on a business account. It doesn't come with the 1.2TB deprioritization threshold. These plans are intended only for fixed location use, but T-Mobile has not enforced this.
- Tiered Plans: "T-Mobile Internet Lite" options are available in areas where an unlimited plan is not. Business customers can also get much better tiered-data business plan options.
- More Info: View the 'Home/Small Business Internet' tab
Business Internet
- Device: Routers and Hotspots
- Data: Unlimited
- Price: $60/month
- Top Pick Notes: These plans are eligible for BYOD, including most mobile routers. These plans are intended for fixed business use, but T-Mobile advertises them as options for remote and "popup" locations. T-Mobile has not enforced any location restrictions. The Unlimited plan is available only in limited areas but capped data plans are also available in other locations. Often confused with the Home/Small Business Internet plans.
- Tiered Plans: 10-300GB options available.
- More Info: T-Mobile Business Plans
Home/Small Business Internet
Currently Available Plans:
- Unlimited - $60/month **TOP PICK**
- Discounts up to $20/month off are available when bundled with certain smartphone plans
Customers not in an area eligible for the unlimited plans may instead be eligible for a tiered data option:
- Internet Lite (Tiered) Plans:
- 100GB - $60/month
- 150GB - $85/month
- 200GB - $110/month
- 300GB - $160/month
All pricing reflects autopay discounts.
Plan Specifications:
- Carrier Networks Used: T-Mobile
- Carrier Relationship: Direct
- Plan Types Available: Data
- Device Types Permitted: Gateway Router (provided by T-Mobile)
- Unlimited: Yes
- High-Speed Mobile Hotspot Use: Yes - all
- Throttling: Yes, on tiered data plans only. 128 Kbps after cap. You can switch tiers if needed mid-month. Data passes may be available for purchase as well.
- Network Management: Always deprioritized.
- Home Internet: Starting 1/18/2024, new Home Internet (but not Small Business Internet) lines come with additional deprioritization after 1.2TB of use.
- Video Streaming Resolution: Up to 4k
- 5G Access: Yes
- eSIM: No
- Device Purchase Required: Yes, included with service
- Plan Period: Monthly
- International Roaming: None
- Domestic Roaming: None
- Data Roll Over: N/A
- Overage Charges: None
- Lines per account: 1
- Extras: N/A
Metro Home Internet
Currently Available Plans:
- Unlimited - $50/month
- Customers must have a voice line with Metro
- Only available in stores
- Gateway NOT included - must be purchased from a store
Plan Specifications:
- Carrier Networks Used: T-Mobile
- Carrier Relationship: Direct
- Plan Types Available: Data
- Device Types Permitted: Gateway Router (Must be purchased)
- Unlimited: Yes
- High-Speed Mobile Hotspot Use: Yes - all
- Throttling: No
- Network Management: Always deprioritized.
- Video Streaming Resolution: Up to 4k
- 5G Access: Yes
- eSIM: No
- Device Purchase Required: Yes
- Plan Period: Monthly
- International Roaming: None
- Domestic Roaming: None
- Data Roll Over: N/A
- Overage Charges: None
- Lines per account: 1
- Extras: N/A
T-Mobile Home/Small Business Gateway Devices
T-Mobile has offered several different gateway routers for its home internet service, and one that is for business customers only. The current routers are the Arcadyan G4AR / Sercomm G4SE, Sagemcom Fast 5688W, Arcadyan KVD21 Gateway, the Inseego Wavemaker FX2000 (business only), and the Nokia 5G21. The original LTE router option, which is now phased out, is the LTE Wi-Fi Gateway TM-RTL0102 built by Taiwan-based Askey Computer Corp.
The plan must be used in the provided gateway, which comes at no extra charge (Except on Metro) and must be returned when service is canceled. The SIM card for the plan cannot be used in other devices, and the gateways are locked to T-Mobile and cannot be used on other carriers' networks.
Typically when you order the service, you can not request a specific gateway device. You have to just use whichever device they send you. We have seen occasional reports of customers being able to request a specific device, so if there is a particular gateway device that you want, it may be worth asking. But there is no guarantee that T-Mobile will honor such requests.
G4AR / G4SE
The Arcadyan G4AR was first offered in September 2023 and is the first gateway for the home/small business internet service to include external cellular antenna ports. A nearly identical model, the Sercomm G4SE, came out approximately one month later. T-Mobile treats these models as the same, and they look the same from the exterior, but there are some differences, especially the cellular modem.
Specifications
- Model: TMO-G4AR/G4SE
- Router Specs:
- # of Connected Devices: Not Specified
- Wi-Fi Router:
- Wi-Fi Standard: Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) - Simultaneous Dual-Band (2.4GHz / 5GHz) with 4x4 MIMO
- Wi-Fi Antennas/Ports: Internal
- Wi-Fi as WAN: No
- Guest Wi-Fi Network: Yes
- Default Control Panel Address and Password:
- Address: On device label
- Password: On device label
- USB Tethering Support: No
- Ethernet Ports: 2x Gigabit Ethernet LAN
- Router Throughput: Not Specified
- Cellular Modem Specs:
- Cellular Modem: Single 5G
- Modem Module or Chipset:
- Arcadyan model: MediaTek T750 (Fibocom FG360-NA)
- Sercomm model: Qualcomm X62 (Compal RML-N1)
- Supported Networks and Bands: T-Mobile
- 5G Bands: n25, n41, n48, n66, n71, n77
- LTE Bands: 2, 4, 5, 12, 25, 41, 46, 66, 71
- Carrier Certification: T-Mobile
- MIMO Support: 4x4 Download, 2x2 Upload
- 5G Cellular Performance:
- Max Theoretical 5G Performance: Not specified
- 5G Carrier Aggregation: Not Specified
- LTE Performance:
- LTE Performance Category: Not specified
- LTE Carrier Aggregation: 5x Download, 3x Upload
- Cellular Antennas/Ports: Internal and 4x4 MIMO external ports
- SIM Slots: 1 Nano
- Dimensions: 8.9 x 7.1 x 3.0 inches
- Other Ports: USB-C (Unknown purpose)
- Power Source: 3A at 15v USB-C (AC Adapter included)
- Outdoor Rated: No
- Special Features: Antenna switching between internal and external cellular antennas. Optional external antenna available from T-Mobile.
- Retail Price: Included ($370 charge if not returned when service is canceled)
Fast 5688W
The Fast 5688W by Sagemcom is a 5G gateway for T-Mobile's home and small business internet service that came out in August 2022.
Specifications
- Model: Fast 5688W
- Router Specs:
- # of Connected Devices: Not Specified
- Wi-Fi Router:
- Wi-Fi Standard: Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) - Simultaneous Dual-Band (2.4GHz / 5GHz) with 4x4 MIMO
- Wi-Fi Antennas/Ports: Internal
- Wi-Fi as WAN: No
- Guest Wi-Fi Network: Yes
- Default Control Panel Address and Password:
- Address: On device label
- Password: On device label
- USB Tethering Support: Not Specified
- Ethernet Ports: 2x Gigabit Ethernet LAN
- Router Throughput: Not Specified
- Cellular Modem Specs:
- Cellular Modem: Single 5G
- Modem Module or Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon X62 (Quectel SG520TM)
- Supported Networks and Bands: T-Mobile
- 5G Bands: n25, n41, n66, n71, n77
- LTE Bands: 2, 4, 5, 12, 25, 48, 66, 71
- Carrier Certification: Not Specified
- MIMO Support: 4x4 Download, 2x2 Upload
- 5G Cellular Performance:
- Max Theoretical 5G Performance: Not Specified
- 5G Carrier Aggregation: Not Specified
- LTE Performance Category:
- LTE Performance Category: Not Specified
- LTE Carrier Aggregation: 5x Download, 3x Upload
- Cellular Antennas/Ports: Internal Only
- SIM Slots: 1 Nano
- Dimensions: 4.92 x 4.92 x 8.46 inches
- Other Ports: USB-C (unknown purpose)
- Power Source: 2.5A at DC 15V (AC Adapter included)
- Outdoor Rated: No
- Special Features: Not Specified
- Retail Price: Included ($370 charge if not returned when service is canceled)
KVD21
The Arcadyan KVD21 is one of the 5G gateway for T-Mobile's home and small business internet service.
Specifications
- Model: KVD21
- Router Specs:
- # of Connected Devices: Not Specified
- Wi-Fi Router: Yes
- Wi-Fi Standard: Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) - Simultaneous Dual-Band (2.4GHz / 5GHz) with 4x4 MIMO
- Wi-Fi Antennas/Ports: Internal
- Wi-Fi as WAN: No
- Guest Wi-Fi Network: Yes
- Default Control Panel Address and Password:
- Address: On device label
- Password: On device label
- USB Tethering Support: Not Specified
- Ethernet Ports: 2x Gigabit Ethernet LAN
- Cellular Modem Specs:
- Cellular Modem: Single 5G
- Modem Module or Chipset: MediaTek T750 (Fibocom FG360-NA)
- Supported Networks and Bands: T-Mobile
- 5G Bands: n25, n41, n66, n71
- LTE Bands: 2, 4, 5, 12, 41, 46, 66, 71
- 4G/3G Bands: N/A
- Carrier Certification: Not Specified
- MIMO Support: 4x4 Download, 2x2 Upload
- 5G Cellular Performance:
- Max Theoretical 5G Performance: 4.3 Gbps Down / 1.1 Gbps Up
- 5G Carrier Aggregation: Not Specified
- LTE Performance:
- LTE Performance Category: Cat-19 (Max Theoretical Speed: 1.6 Gbps Down / 150Mbps Up)
- LTE Carrier Aggregation: 5x Download, 3x Upload
- Cellular Antennas/Ports: Internal only
- SIM Slots: 1x Nano
- Dimensions: 4.73 x 4.73 x 7.52 inches
- Other Ports: USB-C (Data)(Not Functional)
- Power Source: 12V / 1.2A USB-C (AC Adapter included)
- Outdoor Rated: No
- Special Features: Integrated GPS
- Retail Price: Included ($370 charge if not returned when service is canceled)
5G21
The Nokia 5G21, colloquially known as the "trash can" due to its shape, was the first 5G gateway for T-Mobile's home and small business internet service.
Specifications
- Model: 5G21-12W-A
- Router Specs:
- # of Connected Devices: Up to 64
- Wi-Fi Router: Yes
- Wi-Fi Standard: Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) - Simultaneous Dual-Band (2.4GHz / 5GHz)
- Wi-Fi Antennas/Ports: Internal
- Wi-Fi as WAN: No
- Guest Wi-Fi Network: Yes
- Default Control Panel Address and Password:
- Address: On device label
- Password: On device label
- USB Tethering Support: No
- Ethernet Ports: 2x Gigabit Ethernet LAN
- Router Throughput: Not Specified
- Cellular Modem Specs:
- Cellular Modem: Single 5G
- Modem Module or Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon X55
- Supported Networks and Bands: T-Mobile
- 5G Bands: n2, n25, n41, n66, n71
- LTE Bands: 2, 4, 5, 12, 25, 26, 41, 48, 66, 71
- Carrier Certification: Not Specified
- MIMO Support: 4x4 Download, 2x2 Upload
- 5G cellular Performance:
- Max Theoretical 5G Performance: Not Specified
- 5G Carrier Aggregation: Not Specified
- LTE Performance:
- LTE Performance Category: Not Specified
- LTE Carrier Aggregation: Not Specified
- Cellular Antennas/Ports: Internal only
- SIM Slots: 1 Nano
- Dimensions: 4.72 x 8.50 inches
- Other Ports: RJ-11 and USB-C (Not functional)
- Power Source: 12V / 1.2A (AC Adapter included)
- Outdoor Rated: No
- Special Features: Integrated GPS
- Retail Price: Included ($370 charge if not returned when service is canceled)
Wavemaker
The Inseego Wavemaker devices are available for business plans only. The Wavemakers have antenna ports, but depending on the specific model, they may only support a limited frequency range, greatly limiting their utility.
Check out our dedicated Gear Center entry for more information on the Inseego Wavemaker.
Antenna
T-Mobile offers an antenna for use with their Home Internet Gateways. This antenna can only be used with a gateway that has antenna ports - which at this time is only the Arcadyan G4AR or the Sercomm G4SE.
Specifications
- Model: T-Mobile Internet 5G Antenna
- # of Antennas: 4x4 MIMO
- Direction: Omnidirectional
- Frequency Range: Not Specified
- Impedance: 50 ohms
- Cable Type & Length: 6.6' long cable
- Connector: SMA
- Internal Ground Plane: Yes
- Dimensions: 5.9 x 5.4 x 0.8 inches
- Weight: 0.95 pounds
- Mounting: Suction cup
- Outdoor Rated: No
- Frequency / Gain: Not Specified
- Retail Price: $99.99
Retired Gateways
The original T-Mobile LTE Gateway (the Askey TM-RTL0102), which we tested for our original review, is now retired. Those who still have this gateway can upgrade to a 5G gateway for no cost by calling T-Mobile.
Details and specifications for the Askey Gateway are on T-mobile's website.
News, Videos & Status
A team member acquired the T-Mobile Home Internet device and service when it was introduced in 2020 and tested it for both fixed location service and the potential of mobility. Then in May 2022, this same team member acquired the 5G Small Business Unlimited version (identical to the consumer version) with the Arcadyan 5G gateway for further testing.
Our full review from both these testing rounds is in the member section below. Additionally, our full testing notes are in the MIA forum thread linked below
Recent T-Mobile Home Internet Videos
Recent T-Mobile Home Internet News Stories
Alternatives to Consider
For other popular mobile routers on the market we are tracking - here are our featured options:
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Conclusion and Recommendation
T-Mobile's Home Internet is designed and intended as a fixed-location service to compete with landline internet service providers, but T-Mobile does not currently enforce any location restrictions for using the service. However, customers must provide a valid address at sign-up to get service. The T-Mobile Home or Small Business Internet service is one of our Top Picks and worth considering as part of a mobile internet arsenal, but just be mindful of these downsides:
- These plans are always subject to deprioritization and are dead last in terms of T-Mobile network priority levels. Mobile users considering this option should have backup options available for those times and locations when towers are congested.
- Per the TOS, mobility is not technically not allowed, and T-Mobile could start to enforce this in the future.
- The plans are tied to the included gateway device, so swapping the SIM to another device is not an option.
- Most gateways do not come with external antenna ports, and customers can't choose a specific device when ordering.
- There is no domestic or international roaming, and the service is not compatible with some live TV streaming services.
Despite some downsides, T-Mobile's Home Internet has viable mobile internet options- one that offers truly unlimited or large buckets of data with no throttling except for normal network management deprioritization.
Members - Please Share YOUR Experience!
The MIA is a community, and together we all learn from each other.
Our experience is far from being the only one, and there's no way our small team can thoroughly review every single gadget or plan out there. Be sure to scroll down this page to the comments section to see if your fellow MIA members have left any feedback on this product.
If you've had hands on time with this product, please join in the conversation below in the comments and share YOUR experience too. Or start a thread in the Member Forums.
Purchasing Options
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