5G home broadband uses mobile networks to deliver broadband to your home, without needing a cable or fibre connection. Instead of being wired into your property, a 5G router connects to your nearest mast and turns that signal into a home Wi-Fi network. It works in a similar way to a smartphone hotspot, but with dedicated equipment and a better setup for larger households.
This type of broadband is designed to offer fast speeds with simple installation. There’s no need for an engineer visit, and no waiting for fibre to be rolled out in your area. Just plug in the hub, connect your devices and go online.
The technology is an evolution of 4G home broadband, which has been available for years, especially in rural areas. What makes 5G different is the speed and capacity. In strong signal areas, it can match or exceed fibre-to-the-cabinet broadband, and sometimes even reach fibre-to-the-premises speeds.
5G home broadband is also known as Fixed Wireless Access (FWA). It’s aimed at households that either can’t get fast fixed-line broadband, want a quick setup, or prefer the flexibility to move without losing their internet service.
5G coverage in the UK in 2025
Most of the UK now has outdoor 5G coverage from at least one network. According to Ofcom’s latest figures, the majority of the population is covered for outdoor use, but fewer households can get strong indoor coverage. That’s because 5G signals struggle more than 4G when they pass through walls.
While coverage is improving, indoor signal is still patchy in some areas. So even if your postcode shows up as covered, performance inside your home may vary.
Network upgrades are ongoing. Virgin Media O2 is rolling out standalone 5G, which removes the 4G fallback and improves reliability. Vodafone and Three, who are planning to merge, have promised a big push on network investment, which should improve availability and speeds further over the next few years.
Rural areas are improving too, but urban and suburban locations still see the most consistent performance. If you’re considering 5G broadband, it’s worth testing the signal in your home with a phone on the same network before signing up.
Which providers offer 5G home broadband?
Three providers currently offer 5G home broadband packages in the UK: Three, EE and Vodafone. O2 does not offer a dedicated home broadband plan but allows customers to use data SIMs in mobile broadband devices.
Three
Three’s 5G broadband is available in two forms: an indoor hub or an outdoor setup. The indoor option is based on the Zyxel NR5103E v2 router. It supports Wi-Fi 6, has Ethernet ports, and is designed for plug-and-play use.
The Outdoor Hub is aimed at homes with weak indoor signal. It includes an external receiver and an eero mesh Wi-Fi system inside. This helps boost signal quality by capturing it outside the property and rebroadcasting it inside.
Both hubs come with unlimited data and are available on rolling monthly or 24-month contracts. Setup is usually free, and there’s a trial window if the signal isn’t suitable.
EE
EE positions its Smart 5G Hub as a high-end alternative to fixed-line broadband. The hardware supports Wi-Fi 7, offers tri-band coverage, and can connect over 100 devices at once. There are Ethernet ports for wired connections, and EE promotes it as suitable for busy homes.
EE applies a fair usage threshold of around 1TB per month on its 5G and 4G home broadband plans. This isn’t a hard cap, but users who go over regularly may be deprioritised or asked to move to a business package.
Vodafone
Vodafone offers 5G home broadband through its GigaCube device, based on the ZTE MC888 Ultra router. It supports Wi-Fi 6, has two Ethernet ports, and is capable of connecting up to 64 devices.
You can choose between large data allowances or unlimited plans. Vodafone advertises average speeds between 150 and 200Mbps, depending on signal quality. GigaCube plans are available on rolling or fixed-term contracts.
O2
O2 doesn’t offer a specific 5G home broadband product. However, you can buy a 5G-enabled hotspot like the Netgear Nighthawk and use it with an O2 data SIM. This works similarly but lacks the home-focused features and unlimited plans offered by other providers.
Coverage and availability
Coverage maps don’t tell the full story. While many postcodes now fall under 5G service areas, indoor signal varies due to local factors like wall thickness, building layout and nearby mast locations.
Outdoor 5G coverage is far more common than indoor coverage. Even in cities, some properties struggle to get a strong enough signal indoors to support reliable home broadband.
EE typically performs well in independent tests such as RootMetrics, with strong performance in central urban areas. Three has rolled out 5G quickly, expanding its footprint into more towns. Vodafone’s coverage varies depending on location and mast upgrades.
Standalone 5G (5G that doesn’t rely on 4G in the background) is being rolled out by some networks. This can help reduce latency and improve consistency, but it’s not yet available everywhere. Where available, standalone 5G improves the user experience, especially for real-time tasks like video calls and gaming.
What kind of performance can you expect?
Speed depends heavily on your location and the strength of the 5G signal at your property.
Providers often quote speeds of up to 1Gbps, but these are best-case scenarios. In practice, most households will see speeds between 100Mbps and 300Mbps if they have good signal. Three quotes average speeds of around 150Mbps, and Vodafone lists 150 to 200Mbps. EE quotes a typical average of 146Mbps.
These speeds are enough for streaming, gaming and working from home in most households. Upload speeds are also higher than on most fixed-line copper connections.
Latency is lower on 5G than 4G, especially with standalone networks. That means faster response times, which helps for online gaming and video calls. But it’s still higher and more variable than on a fibre line, particularly at peak times when the local mast is congested.
Because 5G home broadband uses mobile spectrum, it shares capacity with other mobile users. That means performance can drop during busy periods — a key difference compared to dedicated fibre connections.
Hardware: what you get and how it works
The routers supplied with 5G broadband plans differ between providers, and features matter.
Three provides the Zyxel NR5103E v2 for its indoor hub, which supports Wi-Fi 6, includes two Ethernet ports and has TS9 connectors for external antennas. It’s a solid option for most households and can be installed without help. The Outdoor Hub adds an external receiver and eero mesh Wi-Fi indoors, which helps in properties with weak indoor signal.
EE supplies the Smart 5G Hub, which supports the newer Wi-Fi 7 standard, has tri-band connectivity, and can handle over 100 connected devices. This makes it suitable for busy homes and shared properties.
Vodafone uses the ZTE MC888 Ultra for its GigaCube service. It supports Wi-Fi 6 and has two Ethernet ports. Some models do not have external antenna connectors, so positioning the hub well is important.
All three routers are plug-and-play, meaning you don’t need an engineer to set them up. Signal placement is crucial. Positioning the hub near a window or upstairs can make a noticeable difference. If the signal is poor, external antennas can help — but only if the router supports them.
Pricing and contracts
Prices vary by provider and plan length.
Three typically offers the lowest prices for 5G home broadband, with rolling or 24-month contracts. The Outdoor Hub is usually tied to a longer term. Setup is free, and there’s a 30-day return policy if the service doesn’t work at your address.
EE sits at the higher end of the price scale, reflecting the premium router and target market. Plans may come with annual price increases, usually tied to inflation plus a fixed percentage. Always check the terms before signing.
Vodafone offers plans with large data caps or unlimited data, on short or long contracts. Pricing is in the mid-range, and the GigaCube router is included.
Be aware that most providers now include yearly price rises as part of their terms. These are applied in April based on the Consumer Price Index plus an extra amount — typically around 3.9%.
Are the plans really unlimited?
Not all unlimited plans are the same.
Three offers truly unlimited data with no fair use policy for UK use. This makes it a good choice for heavy users, households with multiple streamers or anyone using cloud storage or backups.
EE applies a soft cap of around 1TB per month on its home 5G and 4G router plans. If you go over this regularly, your speed may be slowed at peak times, and you may be asked to move to a business plan.
Vodafone offers unlimited data too, but the fair use terms can still apply, especially when roaming. For home use, these plans should not throttle data, but performance may still vary during busy periods.
Always check the latest fair usage terms in the contract before signing up, especially if your household downloads a lot or streams in high resolution.
Gaming, NAT types and remote access
5G home broadband has enough speed for gaming, but it can create issues with NAT type and IP address access.
Most UK mobile networks use carrier-grade NAT. This means your router shares a public IP address with other users, which makes it difficult to open ports or run services that require incoming connections. Gamers may see strict NAT types on their consoles, which can limit online features.
For casual gaming, this might not be a problem. But if you want to host game servers, use remote desktop software, or access your home devices from outside, it becomes more difficult.
Some routers support IPv6, which can help in specific games. VPN services that offer a static IP are another workaround. In some cases, a business broadband plan may allow a public static IP.
It’s also possible to set up bridge mode to avoid double NAT if you’re connecting your own router. However, support for these features varies by provider and router model.
When does 5G broadband make sense?
5G home broadband isn’t a straight replacement for fibre, but it can be a good fit in certain situations.
It’s especially useful where fibre isn’t available yet. If your only fixed-line option is a slow FTTC connection or ADSL, 5G can be a faster alternative.
It’s also a good option for renters, students and people in short-term lets. With no need for installation, you can set up broadband without affecting the property — and take it with you if you move.
5G home broadband also works well as a backup connection for hybrid working households or small businesses that can’t afford downtime.
However, it’s less suitable if indoor signal is weak, if you need a static IP, or if you play online games that rely on open NAT types. In these cases, a fibre connection is more reliable.
How to choose a 5G broadband plan
Start by checking signal quality at your address. Use your mobile phone on the same network as the provider you’re considering, and test the signal from the room where you’ll place the hub. Coverage checkers can give an idea, but they don’t show indoor strength.
If signal indoors is poor, Three’s Outdoor Hub or a router that supports external antennas can help.
Make sure the router meets your needs. If you have many devices, look for a hub with Wi-Fi 6 or 7. Check how many Ethernet ports are available if you rely on wired connections.
If you’re a heavy user, choose a plan with no fair usage threshold. And if gaming or remote access matters, check for workarounds to CGNAT or options for a static IP.
Look out for trial periods or return windows, so you can cancel if the service doesn’t work well in your home.