Optimum Internet or 5G Home Internet: Which to Choose?

In this article, we will be discussing the differences between Optimum’s Internet and 5G Home Internet so you can decide which type of service best suits you and your family.

How is Optimum Fiber Internet different from 5G Home Internet?

Unlike 5G Home Internet, which brings Internet service to customers through cell towers and mobile hubs, Optimum Internet is served to customers through both HFC and Fiber connections.

Hybrid fiber-coaxial (HFC) refers to combined optical fiber and coaxial cable. It has been employed around the world by cable television operators since 1948. It provides high-quality service without compromising cost since users do not need to change their coaxial networks as it provides a separate connection and supports high-frequency bandwidth.

In certain areas, Optimum offers Internet speeds up to 8 Gig (8,000 Mbps). These super-fast speeds power more connected devices in the home, while providing symmetrical download and upload speeds.

Optimum is continuing to expand our Fiber service area network and deliver speeds up to 8 Gigs. Get notified and be the first to know when Optimum Fiber is coming to your neighborhood.

Optimum home Internet customers enjoy 99.9% secure Internet reliability, the inclusion of Smart WiFi 6, allowing for whole home Internet coverage, increased bandwidth to connect to multiple devices, and so much more.

What is 5G?

5G refers to traditional mobile service that followed 1G, 2G, 3G, and 4G (LTE) networks. The average 5G speeds range from 75 – 400 Mbps with top speeds going up to 1 Gbps. Maximum speed is dependent on factors such as proximity to a 5G tower and how much traffic it is handling.

What is 5G Home Internet?

5G Home Internet speed relies on the same cell towers as 5G mobile devices, which means they are essentially competing for capacity with cell phones, and impacted by the same obstructions such as buildings, trees, and inclement weather.

5G stands for fifth generation, as in the fifth generation of mobile networks dating back to the 1990s. It does not stand for 5 gigabits per second. 5G Home Internet users will experience Internet speeds at a fraction of what wired services can provide.

5G networks are mobile networks. This means they are inherently less reliable than wired networks due to mobile users in the same area sharing the same capacity, as well as the same signal obstructions such as weather, buildings, and trees. This may lead to unwanted speed fluctuations and lagging in response during video calling and gaming.

Home Internet services based on mobile networks face continuous issues since they were built for users on the go. It results in slower speeds and lagging due to sharing space with mobile user traffic.

Some other downsides of 5G are that it is not available everywhere yet. It is most prevalent in large cities and can be a decent option for those not eligible for fiber Internet.

What’s faster, Optimum Internet or 5G Home Internet?

Optimum Fiber Internet delivers our fastest, most reliable performance. It offers symmetrical (equal upload and download) speeds up to 8 Gig (8,000 Mbps), ensuring the fastest connectivity across multiple devices in your home. With upload speeds that are 145x faster than 5G home Internet*, it's a powerful and reliable option for content creators, serious gamers, and busy connected homes.

Optimum HFC (Cable) Internet Our Hybrid Fiber-Coaxial (HFC) connection also provides a fast, reliable Internet experience. It delivers download speeds up to 1 Gig , offering more than 2x faster download speeds than 5G Home Internet.

5G home Internet download speeds typically range between 33–415 Mbps, with upload speeds between 6-55 Mbps. While this is faster than previous wireless generations, it is not as fast or reliable as a wired cable or fiber connection.

Furthermore, 5G performance can be inconsistent and is subject to network congestion. Some 5G providers may also enforce data caps and throttle (intentionally slow) your speeds if you use a certain amount of data.

5G vs. 8 Gbps

It is a common misconception that 8 Gbps Internet and 5G mobile are one in the same. This is because the 5 Gig Internet is often mistakenly called “5G.” 5GHz adds to the confusion.

8 Gig, also known as 8 Gbps (Gigabit per second) is an ultra-fast fiber to the home (FTTH) Internet. It provides powerful network performance and speed. As mentioned above, 5G refers to the fifth generation of cellphone networks being installed by mobile carriers. G stands for “generation.”

Which service offers more security?

Fiber Internet is difficult to tap into since they emit electromagnetic energy and emissions cannot be intercepted. Fiber is the most secure medium available for carrying sensitive data.

5G Home Internet consists of an over-the-air broadcast. and unless the 5G network is private, there are concerns about the security and privacy of the public network, since more users can be connected to the network.

How to connect to the Internet

Optimum Fiber is the faster and more reliable home Internet option. Optimum home Internet customers, when combined with Optimum’s Whole Home Wifi, have a wall-to-wall service which mitigates WiFi coverage issues throughout the home. Users receive automatic software updates on their network-connected devices to maintain protection against online threats.

In comparison, most 5G home Internet services typically deliver speeds from 33 Mbps up to 415 Mbps — with speeds varying based on your service; the location of the modem, router, or Internet gateway in your home, and, potentially, the time of day you are trying to get online.

Ready to experience the power of Optimum Internet? Visit Optimum.com/internet or check availability in your area and discover what true ultra-fast Internet can do for your digital lifestyle.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is 5G Home Internet?

5G Home Internet speed relies on the same cell towers as 5G mobile devices, which means they are essentially competing for capacity with cell phones, and impacted by the same obstructions such as buildings, trees, and inclement weather.

5G stands for fifth generation, as in the fifth generation of mobile networks dating back to the 1990s. It does not stand for 5 gigabits per second. 5G Home Internet users will experience Internet speeds at a fraction of what wired services can provide.

What’s faster, Optimum Internet or 5G Home Internet?

Optimum Fiber Internet can deliver symmetrical (upload and download) speeds up to 1 Gig via Fixed Internet or up to 8 Gig (8,000 Mbps) via Fiber. These are fast, reliable options which allow for fast speeds amongst multiple devices throughout your home.

5G home Internet download speeds range between 33 Mbps and 415 Mbps. Upload speeds typically range from 6-23 Mbps, averaging around 10 Mbps. It offers faster wireless speeds than previous generations, but it is not as fast as the speeds offered through a reliable cable connection.

How is Optimum Fiber Internet different from 5G Home Internet?

Unlike 5G Home Internet, which brings Internet service to customers through cell towers and mobile hubs, Optimum Internet is served to customers through both Hybrid Fiber Coaxial (HFC) and Fiber connections. Hybrid fiber-coaxial (HFC) refers to combined optical fiber and coaxial cable. It has been employed around the world by cable television operators since 1948. It provides high-quality service without compromising cost since users do not need to change their coaxial networks as it provides a separate connection and supports high-frequency bandwidth.

Optimum home Internet customers enjoy 99.9% secure Internet reliability, the inclusion of Smart Wi-Fi 6E, allowing for whole home Internet coverage, increased bandwidth to connect to multiple devices, and so much more.

Which service offers more security, Fiber Internet or 5G Home Internet?

Fiber Internet is difficult to tap into since they emit electromagnetic energy and emissions cannot be intercepted. Fiber is the most secure medium available for carrying sensitive data.

5G Home Internet consists of an over-the-air broadcast. and unless the 5G network is private, there are concerns about the security and privacy of the public network, since more users can be connected to the network.

Is 5G Home Internet fast enough for streaming or gaming?

5G Home Internet can handle light-to-moderate streaming, but speed and latency may fluctuate based on signal strength and congestion. Fiber or cable Internet offers more consistent performance for data-heavy activities like online gaming or 4K streaming.

What factors can slow down 5G Home Internet?

Distance from the nearest 5G tower, physical obstructions (like trees or buildings), and local network congestion can all affect your connection speed and reliability.

Are you getting your money's worth from your Internet provider? Check out Optimum's Internet plans.