A 5G home broadband plan needs no engineer, no phone line and no cable into the house. A hub arrives in the post, you plug it in near a window, and it shares the mobile signal with every device at home over Wi-Fi. If the 5G signal at your address is strong, the speed can match an entry level full fibre plan. Prices on the best deals now sit below most fixed line packages.
Our simple pick for most homes is Vodafone 5G Broadband 150 on a 24 month contract. It’s currently the cheapest 5G plan we’ve found, it comes with a voucher, and Vodafone can send an outdoor hub if your indoor signal is weak. If you’d rather not sign up for two years, Vodafone and Three both offer a 12 month plan, and Vodafone also has a rolling monthly option. To learn how 5G home broadband works before you choose, read our 5G and mobile broadband guide.
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5G home broadband deals
| Deal | Avg download speed | Monthly price |
|---|---|---|
| Vodafone 5G Broadband 150 24 month contract | 150Mb | £14.00 |
| Three 5G Hub Unlimited 24 month contract | 150Mb | £15.00 |
| Vodafone 5G Broadband 150 30 day rolling | Up to 150Mb | £30.00 |
| EE Smart 5G Hub 7 Plus 18 month contract, £50 upfront | 146Mb | £45.00 |
For yearly price rises and the prices you pay after your contract ends, see our broadband price rises guide.
Check the signal before you order
With 5G broadband, everything depends on the signal reaching your home. A good result on a coverage map tells you about the street outside, not your living room. Thick walls, energy efficient glass and hills between you and the mast can all reduce the speed you get indoors.
Start with our broadband checker to see what fixed line options reach your address. If full fibre or cable is available, it will usually give steadier speeds. Where 5G is the strongest choice, check each network’s coverage map for your postcode. Then put the hub somewhere high and close to a window, and run a broadband speed test in the first few days. Three gives you a money back period, so a weak result early on is your cue to return the hub rather than live with it for two years.
Which network is best for 5G broadband?
There are now three mobile networks in the UK, because Vodafone and Three have merged. EE runs one network. Vodafone and Three run on a combined network that has been growing since the merger, but they still sell their broadband plans separately.
- Vodafone has the widest choice of contracts and offers an outdoor hub for homes where the signal is weak indoors.
- Three has focused on home 5G for longer than the others. All its plans include unlimited data and come with no setup fee.
- EE charges more each month and an upfront fee for the hub. In return you get one of its newest routers and EE’s own network, which may be the strongest option where you live.
In practice, the right network is simply the one with the best signal at your address. Two homes on the same road can get very different results.
Rolling plans and short contracts
5G broadband is one of the easiest ways to get online without a long commitment. Vodafone’s rolling plan lets you leave with 30 days’ notice, which suits renters, people waiting for full fibre to arrive and anyone in temporary accommodation. You pay more each month for that freedom, so if you know you’ll stay put, a fixed contract costs less overall. Our no contract broadband page compares rolling plans on fixed lines too, and students can find term friendly choices on our student broadband page.
Portable mobile broadband
Home 5G hubs need mains power, but there are smaller options for using the internet on the move:
- A pocket Wi-Fi device (often called a MiFi) runs on its own battery and shares a mobile connection with a few devices. It’s handy for travel, caravans and working away from home.
- A data only SIM fits a pocket Wi-Fi device, a tablet or a spare phone. Data SIMs sold for home broadband use often come with large or unlimited allowances.
- A 4G home hub suits areas where 5G hasn’t reached yet. Its speeds are usually lower, but it can still beat a slow copper line in rural areas.
Our rural broadband guide covers other options for homes that fixed networks have bypassed.
Is 5G broadband right for you?
5G broadband is a strong choice if:
- full fibre and cable haven’t reached your street, or the installation would take months
- you move often and want a connection that moves with you
- you don’t need a landline and would rather not pay for one
It’s a weaker choice if:
- you game competitively online, because mobile connections usually have higher ping and more variation in speed than fibre
- several people work from home and upload large files every day
- your home sits in a weak signal spot
If you can get full fibre, compare our full fibre broadband deals first, since many plans now cost about the same. If price is your main concern, see our cheap broadband deals.
Getting the best from your 5G hub
Signal strength changes from room to room, so try the hub in a few places before you settle on one. Upstairs rooms and windowsills facing the nearest mast usually work best. If the hub has to sit at one end of the house, a mesh system can carry the Wi-Fi to the other rooms. Our guide to Wi-Fi boosters and mesh explains the choices. For the speed most households actually need, see what broadband speed you need.
FAQs
What is the cheapest 5G broadband deal?
On this page, Vodafone 5G Broadband 150 on a 24 month contract has the lowest monthly price, with Three’s 24 month plan close behind.
Is 5G broadband unlimited?
Three’s home plans all include unlimited data, and most home 5G plans from the other networks do too. Check the data allowance before you order, especially on portable mobile broadband plans, which often have a monthly cap.
Can I get 5G broadband without a contract?
Yes. Vodafone sells a 30 day rolling 5G plan, and Vodafone and Three both offer 12 month contracts as a middle option.
Do I need a landline for 5G broadband?
No. 5G broadband connects through the mobile network, so you don’t need a phone line or a line rental charge. If you want a home phone, see our broadband and phone deals.
Can I take my 5G hub when I move house?
The hub works anywhere the network has coverage, but your contract is tied to your address. Tell your provider before you move so it can check the signal at the new home. Our guide to moving home with broadband explains what to do.
Do 5G broadband prices go up during the contract?
Yes, on 12 and 24 month plans. Vodafone, Three and EE all add a fixed amount to your bill each spring.