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
T-Mobile's Home Internet plans were first introduced in 2019, and were intended to be used at a residential or business address like a traditional ISP.
Even though the fine print on the plan explicitly stated that these plans were not intended for mobile use, T-Mobile has not enforced any location restrictions. As a result, the plans became very popular in the nomad community. As long as someone had a valid address to sign up for the service, they were able to travel with it and stay connected.
However, in April 2024, T-Mobile announced a new AWAY plan geared specifically to those who want to travel with the service—and it's much more expensive. In addition, the free ride for 'mobile' use is likely coming to an end. The AWAY plans officially launched on July 25, 2024.
T-Mobile Public Relations has told us that "address verification" will eventually come for the regular Home Internet product, as it was always intended for fixed-location use. Once we have confirmed information on when that will happen and the enforcement measures and scope, we will update this article.
- 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 at no extra charge. The provided gateway must be used with the plan. SIM cards will only work in T-Mobile's Gateway routers.
Business Internet
Top Pick Notes: TMHI was a long time Top Pick here at the Mobile Internet Resource Center - however with the launch of the AWAY plan at a much higher price, and location enforcement on the horizon, we no longer consider this plan to be a top consideration. There are better alternative options out there at more competitive pricing.
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:
- Home Internet Unlimited - $50/month
- Home Internet Plus - $70/month
- Home Internet AWAY™ Unlimited - $160/month
- Home Internet AWAY™ 200GB - $110/month
- Home Internet Backup 130GB - $20/month
(Discounts up to $20/month off are available when bundled with certain smartphone plans for Home Internet and Home Internet Plus).
Customers not in an area eligible for the unlimited plans may instead be eligible for a tiered data option:
- Home 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:
- Home Internet, Home Internet Plus, and Home Internet AWAY Unlimited: Yes
- Home Internet AWAY 200GB Plan: No
- Home Internet Backup: No
- High-Speed Mobile Hotspot Use: Yes - all
- Throttling:
- Home Internet AWAY 200GB: 128 Kbps after cap.
- Home Internet Backup: 600 Kbps after cap.
- Tiered data plans: 128 Kbps after cap. You can switch tiers if needed mid-month. Data passes are available for purchase as well.
- Network Management: Always deprioritized. After 1.2TB of use in a month, priority drops to last on the network.
- Video Streaming Resolution:
- Home Internet, Home Internet Plus, and Home Internet AWAY: Up to 4K UHD
- Home Internet Backup: Not specified
- Note: These plans are not compatible with many live TV streaming services.
- 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:
- Tiered plans can purchase additional High-speed data passes: 10 GB for $10 or 25 GB for $20.
- Backup plan comes with 3x 130GB data passes per month. If the initial 130GB data allotment is used up, customers can choose to activate one of the passes if they need more data. The pass lasts for three days or until the 130GB of data is used up, whichever comes first.
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. After 1.2TB of use in a month, priority drops to last on the network.
- 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 cannot request a specific gateway device. You have to 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.
Many T-Mobile retail stores carry home internet gateways - calling around could find you the model you desire.
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. A Sercomm G4SE was acquired in April 2024 for additional comparison testing.
Our full review from our 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 family of plans provide for both fixed location and (much more expensive) mobile options.
The standard 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, that is likely to change in 2024! Additionally, customers must provide a valid address when signing up to get service. With location enforcement likey coming this year, we no longer consider this option to be a Top Pick.
The new AWAY plans are designed for mobile use and share most of the same terms of service as the fixed-location Home Internet plans - but that mobile capability comes at a much higher cost - over three times the price of the fixed-location service.
Customers of either the fixed location or AWAY options should also be cognizant of the following:
- These plans are always subject to deprioritization. Mobile users considering this option should have backup options for those times and locations when towers are congested.
- The plans are tied to the included gateway device, so swapping the SIM to another device is not an option.
- Most gateways do not have external antenna ports, and customers can't choose a specific device when ordering unless buying from a store that has the model you want.
- There is no domestic or international roaming, and the service is incompatible with some live TV streaming services.
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.
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Routers can serve as a central conductor of your local area network in your RV and boat. Mobile routers are different from residential routers in that they typically support multiple internet sources like cellular and Wi-Fi, can be powered off of 12v or AC and support external antenna for better receiving signal.
But you might not need a router in your setup. Here's a quick video overview the variety that routers come in:
Mobile Internet Resource Center (dba Two Steps Beyond LLC) is founded by Chris & Cherie of