At a glance
5G broadband lets you get online without a phone line or fibre optic cable.
If you live in an area with a 5G signal, you’ll be able to sign up for 5G home broadband.
Benefits of 5G broadband at home include easy set-up with no installation costs.
Vodafone, EE and Three are among the main networks that offer 5G home broadband deals.
What is 5G?
5G is the fifth and newest generation of mobile technology, following on from 4G and 3G. In fact, 5G literally means ‘fifth generation’.
It offers much faster download and upload speeds than the earlier generations, plus less lag time. So you can stream and game without any annoying delays.
Most of us would probably associate 5G with mobile phones. But the same technology can also be used for a home broadband connection.
Want to download an HD movie in seconds? Or stream your favourite TV shows in 8K? 5G can do that.
How does 5G broadband work?
5G broadband lets you get online without the need for a phone line or fibre optic cable. It works in a similar way to the latest smartphones, using a 5G mobile signal and connecting to the internet via a 5G-enabled SIM card.
But instead of sitting in a phone, the SIM sits inside your home router. The 5G-enabled router sends out a WiFi signal for all your home devices, like laptops, smartphones and tablets, to connect to quickly and easily.
Connecting devices don’t need to be 5G enabled for them to work with a 5G home router, so there’s no need to buy loads of compatible new kit.
The router will have to be connected to a power socket, but it won’t need to be fixed to a phone line like a traditional router. That means you can position your router to catch the strongest 5G signal, or even take it with you when you go away on holiday or move home.
You can still connect your 5G home router to your devices with an ethernet cable for optimum stability for things like gaming.
Find dealsCan I get 5G broadband in my home?
If you live in an area that already has a 5G signal, you’ll be able to run your home internet on 5G by signing up to a 5G broadband deal. This will usually involve paying a monthly bill like you would with a standard broadband contract.
You’ll be sent a 5G broadband router and SIM by your 5G broadband provider. Then all you have to do is plug in, switch on and connect.
As 5G is still being rolled out across the UK, it's not yet available everywhere, particularly in rural locations.
According to Ofgem, as of January 2026, 73% of the UK has access to 5G from at least one provider, but availability varies by region. So, if your area doesn’t currently have 5G capability, unfortunately you’ll have to wait before you can choose a 5G home broadband deal.
Mobile networks Three, Vodafone and EE all offer 5G broadband plans, ranging from rolling monthly contracts to 24-month contracts, so you can check whether any of these are available in your area.
Where is the best place to put my 5G router?
Your 5G broadband speed can depend on the position of your router, as well as the provider and network demand.
To help ensure strong coverage, here are some tips on where to put your 5G home broadband router:
Place it near a window if possible, so the signal has a clearer path
Keep it away from thick walls, and don’t hide it behind heavy furniture
Try different rooms to find the strongest signal.
How fast is your typical home broadband?
Home broadband speeds depend on your provider, package and where you live. Overall, speeds have been getting faster as fibre technology has progressed.
The average maximum download speed of broadband in the UK is now 285Mbps (megabits per second), according to the latest Ofcom data (November 2025). This has increased 28% year on year, as many households have upgraded to faster speeds, including full fibre connections.
Around 98% of homes can access at least superfast broadband (30Mbps or higher). Meanwhile ultrafast full fibre broadband (300Mbps or higher) is now available in 78% of homes.
Check your broadband speedHow fast is 5G home broadband?
In theory, 5G broadband has the potential to reach speeds of 20Gbps (gigabits per second). But right now, we’re a long way off that – with 150Mbps the current average download speed.
The fastest 5G home broadband speed you’ll get depends on the strength of the 5G signal where you live and who your network provider is.
Those based in UK towns and cities with excellent 5G coverage are currently best placed to receive ultrafast broadband speeds as the rollout of game-changing 5G technology continues.
Average 5G download speeds
These are the average 5G download speeds offered by the main network providers:
Vodafone – 150-200Mbps
EE – 146Mbps
Three – 150Mbps.
Is 5G broadband faster than fibre broadband?
Not necessarily. The download speeds offered by 5G broadband are considerably higher than standard broadband. But these download speeds are matched and, in some cases, surpassed by the top-end FTTP (fibre to the cabinet) or full fibre broadband deals.
The fastest fixed-line broadband in the UK offers average download speeds of around 2.2 Gbps. But, like 5G broadband, it's currently only available in certain areas.
Find dealsPros and cons of 5G home broadband
What are the advantages of 5G home broadband?
Capacity: 5G broadband is ideal for large households as it’s capable of handling a large number of devices and users at once without interruption.
Portability: as a 5G router isn’t fixed to one address like standard broadband, you can take it with you if you go on holiday or move home. Because it isn’t connected to a phone line, you can easily move it around your home to make sure you have a strong signal.
Easy set-up: 5G offers you a convenient way to get online quickly, without the hassle of installing cables to your home or the need for an engineer to visit. That also means you don’t have to pay line rental or installation costs.
Flexibility: EE and Vodafone both offer the option of rolling monthly/30-day contracts so you don’t have to commit to a long-term deal.
What are the disadvantages of 5G home broadband?
Limited coverage: 5G technology is still being rolled out so might not yet be available in your area.
Limited choice: with only a small number of providers currently offering 5G home broadband, your choice of packages could be very limited. With less competition, that also means prices might be higher.
Reception issues: 5G WiFi works well in most homes, but the signal can sometimes be interrupted by physical obstructions like thick walls and bulky furniture. This could cause a patchy reception in larger properties.
How do I know if I can get 5G broadband where I live?
If you can get a 5G signal on your smartphone, you’ll be able to get 5G broadband too. 5G broadband providers Three, EE and Vodafone offer tools to check 5G network coverage in your area before you sign up.
The 5G routers offered by all three providers will also allow you to connect to the 4G network, depending on the signal strength. Download and upload speeds are likely to be considerably slower for 4G broadband.
Not sure which broadband option is right for you? Use our broadband postcode checker to see what broadband deals are available in your neighbourhood. And compare broadband speeds and prices for your home broadband.
5G or fibre? Which home broadband should I choose?
5G broadband is set to be a gamechanger, reaching previously unimaginable speeds.
That said, it’s worth considering that just as 5G technology advances, so does fibre broadband. In fact, 24% of premises can now access full-fibre broadband with speeds of up to 900Mbps – that’s fast enough to download a 4K-quality movie in three minutes.
Openreach aims to reach 25 million UK homes and businesses with full fibre broadband by December 2026.
To see whether full fibre is available or planned in your area, put your postcode into the build planning map tool.
Whether 5G broadband is right for you depends on what you need. If you can’t get fibre broadband where you live or you’re not satisfied with your existing service, 5G home broadband could be a good option.
It’s also useful if your current service is unreliable, or you need a short-term or back-up connection.
It’s a good idea to have a clear picture of what’s available to you before you choose so you can compare price and broadband speeds. That’s where we can help. Simply enter your postcode into our broadband postcode checker to see what deals we have available in your area.
Where can I find 5G home broadband deals?
5G home broadband deals are not widespread at the moment. If 5G broadband isn’t in your area yet but you still want faster broadband speeds, you can check out fibre broadband deals here at Compare the Market.
Simply type in your postcode and we’ll show you a list of deals in your area from our panel of leading providers. You can order the results by speed, contract length and overall price to find a deal that’s right for you.
FAQs
How much does 5G home broadband cost?
Costs will depend on the 5G broadband package you choose, how long your contract runs for and which provider you choose.
Three offers unlimited home 5G broadband from £18 a month for a 24-month contract, while Vodafone provides a 1-month rolling contract from £29 a month for 50Mbps as well as offering 24-month contracts.[1]
[1]Prices correct as of June 2026.
What is a 5G dongle?
A 5G dongle is a device that lets you connect one device to a 5G signal and use it to download and upload data from the internet.
Dongles plug into the USB sockets of compatible devices, meaning you can carry your internet connectivity with you wherever you go. But unlike 5G routers they only work with one device at a time.
Mobile broadband could be a good option for those who work remotely or travel a lot for work and need to connect on the go.
Although it's more portable than lugging around a router, with the UK 5G network still in the rollout phase, you may find yourself on slower 4G speeds outside of major urban areas.
When do I need to upgrade my home broadband?
A good time to upgrade your home WiFi is when your existing contract ends. That way, you won’t have to pay an early exit fee to quit your deal early.
If you’re thinking of a future upgrade, it’s also worth looking to see when ultrafast full fibre is coming to your neighbourhood. Or if you’re ready to upgrade right now, we can help you compare what’s currently available in your area.
Can I get 5G broadband for my business?
Yes, many businesses are starting to adopt private 5G networks, which don’t rely on the public rollout. You can use 5G broadband to connect a number of smart devices, including laptops, tablets, phones and printers.
And because 5G WiFi is portable, you can take it with you to construction sites and marquee events, for example, that don’t have broadband infrastructure installed.
Looking for something else?
Over the past decade, Kate has worked in various industries, including company secretarial, small business support and property investing.
Her move to financial services in 2022 not only helped her find her niche in personal finance writing, but also just how alienating finance can be. She’s now motivated by making everyday money a piece of cake for everyone, helping her readers feel informed and in control.
Kate now specialises in savings and current accounts as well as broadband, mobile and energy products.
Ele Clark is an award-winning editor who has held leadership roles at Which? and news-stand publications in London and Dubai. She’s appeared across the press and media, including BBC’s Panorama. With almost 20 years’ experience in personal finance, insurance and consumer journalism, she leads a talented team at Compare the Market, creating insightful, accessible content to help people make informed financial decisions.
With the UK racing towards gigabit speeds and our phones more integral to our lives, Matt wants to make sure you have great packages that can keep up. And with more than 10 years' experience working with digital brands, he’s shaping our broadband, TV and phone comparison journeys.
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