T-Mobile Internet for Seniors: Our Hands-On Test
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June 11, 2025
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Key Findings
- 5G Home Internet: T-Mobile notes its typical internet download speeds will be between 87-415 Mbps*; however, in our tests, we often had faster speeds.
- Fiber Internet**: New fiber plans offer speeds up to 2 Gbps with a 5-year price guarantee***.
- At $50 per month for Rely Home Internet (with AutoPay), T-Mobile’s internet is not the most affordable; however, the company charges no extra fees for equipment.
- T-Mobile internet requires no long-term contracts, meaning you can cancel your service at any time and stop making monthly payments.
FYI: In addition to the internet, T-Mobile is also one of my favorite cellular providers. To learn more, take a look at my guide to T-Mobile phone plans for seniors.
Disclaimer: Rely plans can experience faster speeds with T-Mobile’s latest 5G gateway, delivering typical download speeds between 87 Mbps– 318 Mbps. All-In and Amplified Internet plans can experience faster speeds with T-Mobile’s latest 5G gateway, delivering typical download speeds between 133 Mbps – 415 Mbps. 25% of our customers see speeds below and 25% see speeds above these ranges. Mobile 5G Home Internet is delivered via 5G cellular network and speeds vary due to factors affecting cellular networks.
**Not available in all areas. Return each device undamaged or fee may apply. AutoPay discount requires bank account or debit card, otherwise $5 more/line/mo. May not be reflected on first bill. See Terms and Conditions (including arbitration provision) at https://fiber.t-mobile.com/legal/terms.
***Disclaimer: 5-year price guarantee means that T-Mobile won’t change the price of fiber internet data for at least 10 years while you are on an eligible plan. Taxes & fees, voluntary equipment or speed upgrades, future wireless generations, select limited-time promotions, per-use charges, third-party services, and network management practices aren’t included. This guarantee starts when you activate or switch to an eligible plan and doesn’t restart if you add a line or change plans after that.
T-Mobile Home Internet Pros and Cons
T-Mobile Pros
- Bundle discounts: If you currently bundle T-Mobile internet with one or more T-Mobile voice lines, then you’ll get a $15 monthly bill credit on most plans.
- Fast speeds: T-Mobile 5G home internet delivered consistent download speeds near 245 Mbps in our testing, while fiber plans can reach up to 2,000 Mbps. This is more than enough for streaming movies and browsing the web on multiple devices.
- No long-term contracts: Unlike other providers, who often require two-year commitments, not to mention subsequent price hikes, T-Mobile allows you to cancel your service at any time without extra fees.
- No equipment fees: Many internet providers charge extra to rent necessary equipment like routers and modems. However, T-Mobile includes all required equipment with your monthly costs.
- No data caps: For heavier users, T-Mobile won’t throttle your internet speeds once you reach a certain threshold, allowing your service to remain consistent.
- Price guarantees: T-Mobile internet plans come with a five-year price guarantee, meaning your internet price won’t increase during this period.
T-Mobile Cons
- No budget plan: Although $50 per month is relatively affordable, several internet providers offer senior-specific plans and deals at lower costs.
- Location restrictions: Both 5G and fiber internet availability vary by location. 5G internet is not yet available everywhere, and fiber is currently limited to select addresses.
- Fluctuating download speeds: While my internet speeds were consistently fast, 5G internet has the potential to fluctuate greatly.
T-Mobile Internet Video Review
In this video, I walk through the process of setting up T-Mobile internet, and I run some speed tests.
T-Mobile Home Internet Plans and Pricing
T-Mobile now offers both 5G wireless home internet and fiber internet plans. The 5G plans are available in more locations, while fiber offers faster speeds but with limited availability.
5G Home Internet Plans
| T-Mobile Internet Plan | Monthly Price* | Download Speeds | Included |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rely Home Internet |
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87-318 Mbps |
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| Amplified Home Internet |
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133-415 Mbps |
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| All-In Home Internet |
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133-415 Mbps |
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| Home Internet Backup |
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87-318 Mbps |
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*Disclaimer: Rely plans can experience faster speeds with T-Mobile’s latest 5G gateway, delivering typical download speeds between 87 Mbps– 318 Mbps. All-In and Amplified Internet plans can experience faster speeds with T-Mobile’s latest 5G gateway, delivering typical download speeds between 133 Mbps – 415 Mbps. 25% of our customers see speeds below and 25% see speeds above these ranges. Mobile 5G Home Internet is delivered via 5G cellular network and speeds vary due to factors affecting cellular networks.
Fiber Internet Plans
| Fiber Plan** | Monthly Price (Autopay) | Price with Voice Line | Download/Upload Speeds | Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fiber 500 | $75/month | $60/month | 500 Mbps/500 Mbps | 5-year price guarantee***, no annual contracts |
| Fiber 1 Gig | $90/month | $75/month | 1,000 Mbps/1,000 Mbps | 5-year price guarantee***, no annual contracts |
| Fiber 2 Gig | $105/month | $90/month | 2,000 Mbps/2,000 Mbps | 5-year price guarantee***, no annual contracts |
**Not available in all areas. Return each device undamaged or fee may apply. AutoPay discount requires bank account or debit card, otherwise $5 more/line/mo. May not be reflected on first bill. See Terms and Conditions (including arbitration provision) at https://fiber.t-mobile.com/legal/terms.
***Disclaimer: 5-year price guarantee means that T-Mobile won’t change the price of fiber internet data for at least 5 years while you are on an eligible plan. Taxes & fees, voluntary equipment or speed upgrades, future wireless generations, select limited-time promotions, per-use charges, third-party services, and network management practices aren’t included. This guarantee starts when you activate or switch to an eligible plan and doesn’t restart if you add a line or change plans after that.
5G Home Internet vs. Fiber Internet
5G Home Internet is the current industry standard in wireless internet connection. Instead of being connected to broadband internet through a cable, you’ll use the same cellular network as your 5G phone through a fixed receiver. Your modem and router transform the signal into Wi-Fi so you can use it throughout your home.
Fiber Internet uses fiber-optic cables to deliver internet directly to your home, providing faster and more consistent speeds than wireless connections. Fiber offers symmetrical upload and download speeds, making it ideal for activities like video conferencing, cloud storage, and streaming on multiple devices simultaneously.
While 5G is fast and available in more locations, it’s not available everywhere, especially in remote or rural areas. Fiber offers the fastest speeds but is currently limited to select addresses. 5G works best in cities but may have issues with interference from walls, while fiber provides consistent performance regardless of location factors.
My Experience With T-Mobile Home Internet
Because I live in a small home, I chose the Amplified Home Internet plan for $60 a month — I already have phone service from Verizon. I went on T-Mobile’s website, chose the plan, and entered my address. Because I live in a city, I wasn’t surprised to see it was available. Shipping was free, and nothing was due upfront; all I had to do was enter my name and residential address, create an account, and verify my email address. In a few days, my Wi-Fi Gateway, power cord, and quick start guide arrived at my home in a few days.
Savings Tip: T-Mobile advertises its internet service as low as $50 per month. However, this price reflects the amount you pay when enrolled in AutoPay, a service that automatically bills your payment method each month. That price also takes into account a discount for bundling internet and phone.
Installation
Once I received the Wi-Fi gateway, setting it up was as easy as plugging it in, syncing it with my T-Mobile app, and waiting about a minute for the connection to establish. Overall, the process was very simple and quick. The only caveat is that you’ll need a smartphone to set up your home internet. Fortunately, I already had one, so this was a quick and easy process.
Then, I wanted to test my internet speeds. So, I used Google’s internet speed test. Read on to find out how fast my connection was.
Fiber Internet Testing
I also had the opportunity to test T-Mobile’s new Fiber 1 Gig plan at a friend’s eligible address. The fiber installation was handled by a professional technician at no charge, and the process took about two hours from start to finish. The technician ran fiber-optic cable from the street to the home and set up the included gateway.
Fiber Performance
The fiber internet consistently delivered the advertised 1 Gbps download and upload speeds. Unlike the 5G service, which can fluctuate based on network conditions, the fiber connection remained stable throughout our testing period. This made it particularly impressive for bandwidth-intensive activities like 4K streaming on multiple devices and large file uploads.
T-Mobile Internet Speeds
When I spoke to a T-Mobile representative on the phone, he explained that their internet speeds vary with location, typically ranging from 133 to 415 Mbps. To put this in perspective, 72 Mbps is enough to stream high-definition movies without sacrificing quality. Higher speeds allow for multiple users to use the internet without interruption. Unlike broadband internet providers, T-Mobile Home Internet does not support faster speeds, unlike Cox, Verizon, and Xfinity.
In my experience, my speeds were consistently around 300 Mbps, an impressive speed for the price. What’s more, T-Mobile doesn’t put limits on the amount of data I can use. For example, Viasat internet decreased my internet speeds after I reached a data threshold. In contrast, T-Mobile kept my speeds consistent regardless of how much data I used.
Fiber Internet Speeds
The fiber plans delivered exactly what was advertised. The 1 Gig plan consistently achieved close to 1,000 Mbps for both download and upload speeds during our testing. The symmetrical speeds make fiber particularly valuable for activities requiring high upload speeds, such as video conferencing and cloud backups.
To put speeds in perspective, 72 Mbps is enough to stream high-definition movies without sacrificing quality. The fiber plans’ gigabit speeds allow for dozens of devices to use the internet simultaneously without any performance degradation.
T-Mobile Phone and Internet Bundles
By bundling a T-Mobile voice line with T-Mobile home internet, you can get a $15 bill credit on your monthly bill with the following plans:
5G Plans:
- Rely Home Internet
- Amplified Home Internet
- All-in Home Internet
Fiber Plans:
- Fiber 500
- Fiber 1 Gig
- Fiber 2 Gig
Notably, this discount is not applicable with T-Mobile’s Home Internet Backup plan.
FYI: The AutoPay discount requires bank account or debit card, otherwise $5 more/line/mo. May not be reflected on first bill.
T-Mobile Home Internet vs. Spectrum
Let’s compare T-Mobile’s internet to Spectrum’s, which is not 5G but broadband. Broadband internet may be a better option if you live in a rural area. It also has fast maximum speeds compared to T-Mobile, and the starting price is comparable. That being said, T-Mobile didn’t make me sign a long-term contract, and its speeds will suffice for many households.
| T-Mobile 5G | T-Mobile Fiber* | Spectrum | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price (Internet Only) | $50 per month | $75 per month | $50 per month |
| Price Increases | 5-year price guarantee (exclusions like taxes and fees apply) | 5-year price guarantee** | After the first year |
| Speeds | 87-415 Mbps | 500 Mbps-2 Gbps | 500 Mbps-1 Gbps |
| Data Caps | None | None | None |
| Long-Term Contracts | Not required | Not required | 1 year |
| Activation Fees | $35 | None | $30 for self-install activation |
While T-Mobile and Spectrum have similar starting pricing for 5G plans, T-Mobile really stands out when it comes to bundling its internet with phone service and offering price guarantees. The fiber plans offer significantly faster speeds and longer price protection.
*Not available in all areas. Return each device undamaged or fee may apply. AutoPay discount requires bank account or debit card, otherwise $5 more/line/mo. May not be reflected on first bill. See Terms and Conditions (including arbitration provision) at https://fiber.t-mobile.com/legal/terms.
**Disclaimer: 5-year price guarantee means that we won’t change the price of fiber internet data for at least 5 years while you are on an eligible plan. Taxes & fees, voluntary equipment or speed upgrades, future wireless generations, select limited-time promotions, per-use charges, third-party services, and network management practices aren’t included. This guarantee starts when you activate or switch to an eligible plan and doesn’t restart if you add a line or change plans after that.
*Disclaimer: Rely plans can experience faster speeds with T-Mobile’s latest 5G gateway, delivering typical download speeds between 87 Mbps– 318 Mbps. All-In and Amplified Internet plans can experience faster speeds with T-Mobile’s latest 5G gateway, delivering typical download speeds between 133 Mbps – 415 Mbps. 25% of our customers see speeds below and 25% see speeds above these ranges. Mobile 5G Home Internet is delivered via 5G cellular network and speeds vary due to factors affecting cellular networks.
While T-Mobile and Spectrum have similar pricing, T-Mobile really stands out when it comes to bundling its internet with phone service. With any postpaid T-Mobile line, you can get a $15 monthly bill credit, essentially reducing your monthly internet price from $50 to $35 in the case of the Rely Home Internet plan.
FYI: To learn more about Spectrum services, read my guide to Spectrum internet for seniors.
Bottom Line
What I appreciate most about T-Mobile internet is its transparency and flexibility. Whether choosing 5G or fiber, you know exactly what you’re paying each month with no hidden fees for equipment. The 5G plans offer easy self-installation, while fiber includes professional installation at no charge.
The 5G plans’ 87-415 Mbps speeds are perfect for most households, while the fiber plans’ gigabit speeds accommodate even the most demanding users. The price guarantees (5-10 years, depending on the plan) provide long-term cost certainty that most competitors can’t match.
For seniors looking for reliable internet without complicated contracts or surprise fees, T-Mobile offers compelling options, whether you need the flexibility of 5G or the ultimate performance of fiber.
To learn more about other internet providers for seniors, take a look at my guides for AT&T internet for seniors and cheap internet for seniors.
T-Mobile Frequently Asked Questions
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Is T-Mobile home internet good?
While its speeds won’t typically exceed 415 Mbps, T-Mobile internet is overall reliable, speedy, and affordable.
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Does T-Mobile home internet limit monthly data?
T-Mobile’s Rely, Amplified, and All-In Home Interent plans include unlimited monthly data.
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Can T-Mobile home internet be moved to another location?
Your T-Mobile Wi-Fi gateway is set to your address, so you can’t move it to another location. With that said, you can transfer your service to a new home, provided this home has adequate coverage.
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Is 100 Mbps good for streaming?
For one person, 100 Mbps is more than enough to stream 4K video in high definition.