May 7 | By Madeline Gearheart
Fiber and 5G came on the scene years ago, but they’re still two of the hottest terms in internet connectivity—fiber because it’s still the most powerful player, and 5G because it’s not just for mobile users anymore.
If you’re one of the millions looking forward to faster speeds but not sure how to compare these two options, this overview should help. Read on to learn more about 5G vs. fiber internet for your home or business.
Just want a summary? Skip to the table >
5G vs. fiber technology
5G internet leverages Verizon’s advanced 5G network to connect your devices at home or at work. The radio frequencies used in 5G networks allow much faster internet speeds than before—not just compared to 4G LTE, but even some traditional internet plans still offered today.
Fiber internet offers unbeatable speeds and reliability over a wired network of fiber optics. Most providers built out their networks with 100% fiber-optic composition, rather than diluting the network with speed-throttling copper cables, so you can take full advantage of fiber speeds and reliability.
5G vs. fiber internet speeds
5G speeds for homes and businesses today run up to 100 Mbps on the low end and up to 300–400 Mbps on the high end, giving you solid bandwidth for daily connectivity needs like browsing, streaming, and running smart home/office devices. Is 5G faster than fiber? No, but in many areas, 5G speeds are faster than other wired services, like DSL and cable.
Fiber speeds today run up to 300 Mbps on the low end and up to 2 Gbps on the high end for most homes and small businesses. However, tippy-top speeds can run as high as 7 gigabits in some areas. Fiber also gives you symmetrical upload speeds—something no other technology offers—for faster file sharing and smoother gaming and video calls.
5G vs. fiber reliability
5G has great latency or lag metrics—it consistently clocks under 50 milliseconds, which is competitive even with cable. However, as a wireless technology, 5G is more sensitive to interference from weather or physical obstacles. Plus, since home and business customers share the 5G network with mobile subscribers, you could experience slower speeds when traffic spikes in your area (e.g., during a holiday parade or heavy shopping weekend).
Fiber has a typical latency of under 14 milliseconds—and in the single digits for some providers. With low latency and high resistance to environmental interference (including the heat/cold that affects competing cable providers), fiber is the most reliable internet technology available. You can expect a smooth and responsive experience for just about anything you do online.
5G vs. fiber availability
5G home and business internet are widely available in metros and suburban areas and have some reach into less populated areas. (Where 5G doesn’t reach you may be able to get 4G LTE home internet.) One challenge of 5G availability is that there’s high demand, so providers have to limit subscribers per area to give each household/business the bandwidth they expect from a high-speed internet service.
Fiber availability usually starts in metros with high population density, then expands outward into surrounding suburbs. Many major cities in the US already have fiber networks, and availability continues to expand. Eventually, fiber may replace older wired networks like DSL altogether.
Did you know? Verizon offers 5G and fiber internet. Check home and business availability now >
5G vs. fiber internet costs
5G home internet prices range from about $35 to $55 per month for 5G speeds, while business internet plans start around $70 per month and increase incrementally for faster speeds.
Fiber home internet prices range from about $35 to $85 per month for speeds up to 2 gigabits, while business internet plans start around $60 per month and increase incrementally for faster speeds. Price per gig usually improves as you go up.
See Verizon home and business internet pricing >
5G vs. fiber data allowances
5G home and business internet usually offers unlimited data without fees, because providers know data limits aren’t practical for all-day internet use. However, because wireless providers have to manage network traffic more carefully than fiber providers, you may experience slower speeds after using a certain amount of data. Double-check the data policies as you shop plans.
Fiber internet comes with unlimited data since the technology is more powerful, and providers can easily offer high bandwidth without taking away from other users.
5G vs. fiber installation
5G offers quick self-installation through a mailed kit. You’ll just plug in your router and follow the included instructions to set up your Wi-Fi.
Fiber internet may offer self-installation at select addresses, but especially where fiber infrastructure is new, you’ll need a technician to install the first connection to your local fiber network.
User scenarios for 5G vs. fiber internet
What can you do with 5G home/business internet vs. fiber?
5G
- Essentials like browsing, shopping, banking, email, social media.
- Streaming TV, movies, and educational/work content in HD.
- Video calls to friends, family, and colleagues.
- Light gaming by a few users.
- Standard internet use by a small home or office.
Fiber
- All the essentials and more.
- Streaming content in HD and 4K (on compatible screens).
- Group hangouts or video conferencing for work.
- Multiplayer gaming with low lag.
- Rapid file uploads and cloud backups for home or office.
- Sophisticated smart home or IoT office devices.
- Heavy internet use by a larger household or office.
5G internet vs. fiber internet, summarized
| 5G internet | Fiber internet | |
| Best for | Fast internet where fiber isn’t available | Ultimate speed and reliability |
| Technology | Cell towers emitting wireless 5G radio signal | 100% fiber-optic network underground |
| Availability | More coverage than fiber, but spots limited per area | Major metros and suburbs, but coverage growing |
| Typical download speeds | Up to 100–300 Mbps | Up to 300 Mbps–2 Gbps with equal upload speeds |
| Typical latency | <50 milliseconds | <14 milliseconds |
| Starting rates | About $35/mo with qualifying mobile plan | About $35/mo with qualifying mobile plan |
| Data | Unlimited in most cases | Unlimited |
| Installation | Self-install in most cases | Professional install in most cases |
- FCC, “5G FAQs.” Retrieved 11 March 2025 from https://www.fcc.gov/
- FCC, “Thirteenth measuring broadband America fixed broadband report.” Retrieved 11 March 2025 from https://www.fcc.gov/
- Ludwig, R., “Who cares about latency in 5G?” Retrieved 11 March 2025 from https://www.ericsson.com/
- Waveform, “5G’s faster data rates and Shannon’s Law.” Retrieved 11 March 2025 from https://www.waveform.com/
5G internet vs. fiber: making your choice
If you’re fortunate to have the choice between 5G home internet vs. fiber, you’ll probably be happiest with fiber. It really is the fastest and most reliable internet service available, and it’s likely to stay that way for years.
But 5G also makes an excellent choice for home or business connectivity, especially if any of these apply to you:
- You want fast, affordable internet where fiber isn’t available.
- You expect low lag that holds up next to cable and outperforms DSL.
- You value low pricing, mobile bundles, and simplicity of service.
Verizon offers internet services for homes, businesses, and mobile users all over the country. For home internet and mobile bundles, shop Verizon Fios and 5G packages now. For commercial plans, shop Verizon business internet now.