T-Mobile Home Internet WOW!

[1492]

I cut the Cable TV/Internet cord over a decade ago, and have relied on wireless data connections ever since. My most recent supplier was AT&T 4G wireless broadband w/400G monthly allowance. However, been experience a 4G outage since the beginning of this month.

My inept service provider was for all purposes none existent, offering only chat (2-hr wait) or form mail tech support. Only now indicating they've solved the issues. Thank goodness for Verizon Visible 4G hotspot backup.

I decided to check T-Mobile's Home Internet service and my home address indicated it was available.

Went to my local T-Mobile store and was in/out in 10-minutes with a 'no cost' 4G/5G wireless router kit, resembling something like a mini Apple Mac Pro trash can. They didn't even ask for a credit card.

I did try getting the free T-Mobile router shipped to my home address by phone. But the call center was oversees, and I never give out identifiable/financial info to anyone having to manually input to a computer. At the store, you fill out your info on a touch pad that obscures private info, so no manual input by a representative.

The T-Mobile router has the SIM already installed, and you just power it up. Download a smartphone app which you can use to connect to the router via Bluetooth, and can control or view basic settings such as SSID, passwords, signal quality, and tower stats. You can also view all connected devices, and disconnect any or all if so desired.

The T-Mobile router only has two built-in Ethernet connections. But when I connected one to my aging DELL Vostro desktop, this is what my speed tests are indicating:

I must be connected by 5G wireless though have no idea where the tower is located? WiFi connections speeds were significantly slower due to my outdated MB's built-in wireless card, though my iPhone WiFi is indicating 430 Mbps download.

There are some caveats. The 4G/5G router is only meant for a fixed address, so not viable for traveling purposes. And T-Mobile indicated they are allowing just 10 home internet routers per tower to maintain high speed connections. That's what I was told over the phone, though don't know if it's accurate.

At $60. month for unlimited 4G/5G wireless data, hard to beat in any case. Now I just have to find out how to setup an account to pay for it. :h

[T18skyguy]

I would like to ditch Comcast asap so thanks for that update.
Here's an article from a guy who's been using it.

[NamMedevac_70]

I am glad to have never been an early adopter. Thanks for sharing your experiences

[dtombaugh]

1492 wrote:


There are some caveats. The 4G/5G router is only meant for a fixed address, so not viable for traveling purposes. And T-Mobile indicated they are allowing just 10 home internet routers per tower to maintain high speed connections. That's what I was told over the phone, though don't know if it's accurate.

At $60. month for unlimited 4G/5G wireless data, hard to beat in any case. Now I just have to find out how to setup an account to pay for it. :h

In my experience, it is not what it should be at this point. I'm in San Francisco Bay Area and my average is only about 18 Mbps, so not very high. Whereas my cable company is 175+ Mbps.

I thought it would be good for traveling, but like 1492 said it is designed for a fixed address. The T-Mobile forums are full of people saying that it may or may not work outside of your home area. I did NOT get a chance to test this part out.

I also had issue with some sites and VPN. My work VPN was terrible while using it. It kept dying and would have to re-connect after about an hour. I also had login issue with Google and Facebook. They did NOT like the connection through T-mobile home internet. But my phone (also T-mobile) was fine - no issues.

It also doesn't work well with streaming services. Amazon Prime was OK, Netflix OK, HBO Max was iffy, Disney+ was poor (slow). Discovery+ and Hulu would NOT stream connected to the T-mobile Home internet (it was a problem with the digital rights management {DRM} for T-mobile Home). A very serious blow for use on the road.

I ended up canceling the T-mobile Home internet and staying with my cable company.

Obviously, results will vary. If you have the option of running your current provider and T-Mobile, that would be a good way to test it out.

[cptqueeg]

Thanks for posting. Not available in my location so I put myself on the waiting list. We pay $50/month for copper wire speeds. :S

[Walaby]

Double thanks for posting.

My future home (land purchased and house in works) is in middle of pink but interactive map says limited signal strength. AT&T cell I get 2 bars.

I have limited options for internet access in country where Im at, so knowing TMobile might work is good to know. On the waiting list for Starlink.

Mike

[Thermoguy]

Thanks for posting - I'm looking in to this. My DSL is slow where I live and looks like 5G might be available. However with Verizon and ATT we get only 1 or 2 bars at home. Not sure if T-Mobile is better. It looks like I'm right in the middle of the pink on the map. I pay $85 now for land line with DSL, so not sure if splitting that makes sense, but sure seems like faster internet.

[wa8yxm]

Nearly all the T-Mobile towers are now 5G... I'm not sure who has the better coverage T or Verizon (Even the manager at the T-Mobile store was not sure) But ... I'm betting on T. and there is a Samsung Galaxy a-32 5g to my left as I type. Yup. it's T-mobile.

Speeds vary depending on location Right now here at home I am getting about 35-40 Mbps.. at the store over 100.

My Computers have to gang up to eat data that fast.