View Full Version : Home 5G Internet



Pete
03-01-2020, 07:05 AM
Anyone have a feel for when we might see the first 5G Home internet services in OKC?

For those who don't know, 5G should be fast enough to run your entire home network. It would require an antenna on your house that would grab the signal from cell towers, then run a traditional cable down to your router.

It has limited implementation but in the current markets, it's pretty reasonable from traditional carriers like Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile.


I desperately want to cut Cox Cable but I still need internet. 5G seems to be the best hope.

Swake
03-01-2020, 08:34 PM
All 5g is not the same. Be aware.

pure
03-01-2020, 09:32 PM
I recently listened to a podcast about 5G (and its supposed health effects) and from what I understand, it will be on the high frequency band of the wireless spectrum, and since high frequency waves have a harder time traveling over distance and objects, cell antennas need to be really close to each other, I think the guy on the podcast said they are almost a block or two apart in NYC. So, from that information and the large footprint of OKC, I imagine OKC may be one of the last major cities to get true 5G like on Verizon. (note- I'm no expert on this subject at all!)

Also, as Swake mentioned, 5G is truly not the same across all the major companies, I watched some speed test on Youtube, guy on Verizon was getting 2 gigabits down, which is twice as fast as Cox's fastest offering and I also watched a guy on Tmobile's "5G" network only getting 60 megabits down, which is basically 4G LTE speed.

Plutonic Panda
03-02-2020, 04:54 AM
From whah I’ve read there are no health problems that will come with 5g but it hogs too much of the frequency spectrum and one that is used by meteorologists.

I have the 5Ge crap on AT&T here in LA and it’s a load of rubbish. Not sure how companies are allowed to virtually lie to their customers like that.

Pete
03-04-2020, 03:14 PM
BTW, there have been a ton of new AT&T cell tower permits all over OKC in the last few months.

I suspect they are in the process of implementing 5G here.

MadMonk
03-05-2020, 05:28 AM
I recently listened to a podcast about 5G (and its supposed health effects) and from what I understand, it will be on the high frequency band of the wireless spectrum, and since high frequency waves have a harder time traveling over distance and objects, cell antennas need to be really close to each other, I think the guy on the podcast said they are almost a block or two apart in NYC. So, from that information and the large footprint of OKC, I imagine OKC may be one of the last major cities to get true 5G like on Verizon. (note- I'm no expert on this subject at all!)

Also, as Swake mentioned, 5G is truly not the same across all the major companies, I watched some speed test on Youtube, guy on Verizon was getting 2 gigabits down, which is twice as fast as Cox's fastest offering and I also watched a guy on Tmobile's "5G" network only getting 60 megabits down, which is basically 4G LTE speed.

With the higher frequency, you do get more attenuation from obstacles, much like a 5GHz wifi signal won't have as much range through typical home walls, etc. than the 2.4GHz signal. But keep in mind that we have a lot of wide open spaces in OK that are ideal for transmitting data in that frequency range, unlike the steel and concrete canyons in NYC.

MadMonk
03-05-2020, 05:29 AM
Deleted weird duplicate post.

djohn
03-05-2020, 06:58 AM
BTW, there have been a ton of new AT&T cell tower permits all over OKC in the last few months.

I suspect they are in the process of implementing 5G here.

I've noticed MANY new poles on Penn just north of Memorial. They are on the east side of the road, about every block and have a cylindrical device on top. I think these are 5G towers.

BBatesokc
03-05-2020, 08:30 AM
Would be curious about the future availability of this too. I upgraded to COX's Panoramic Gigablast service ($100/mo) with their pod mesh network and it improved my network connectivity tremendously. I have 93 devices that connect randomly (many are bandwidth hogs) and used to sporadically loose connection or have lags - Not anymore. Definitely worth the upgrade. But I'd love to get away from COX completely.

HangryHippo
03-05-2020, 08:41 AM
Would be curious about the future availability of this too. I upgraded to COX's Panoramic Gigablast service ($100/mo) with their pod mesh network and it improved my network connectivity tremendously. I have 93 devices that connect randomly (many are bandwidth hogs) and used to sporadically loose connection or have lags - Not anymore. Definitely worth the upgrade. But I'd love to get away from COX completely.
If COX's Panoramic Gigablast service has improved your connectivity tremendously, why are you still anxious to get away from them completely?

BBatesokc
03-05-2020, 08:51 AM
If COX's Panoramic Gigablast service has improved your connectivity tremendously, why are you still anxious to get away from them completely?

Can't stand doing business with them. Basically the same reason you always see tons of people complain about them. I'd much prefer to give my money to someone else. Hating doing business with them was the main reason we cut the cable TV cord years ago. They are holding us hostage with Internet service though.

Pete
03-05-2020, 08:58 AM
Would be curious about the future availability of this too. I upgraded to COX's Panoramic Gigablast service ($100/mo) with their pod mesh network and it improved my network connectivity tremendously. I have 93 devices that connect randomly (many are bandwidth hogs) and used to sporadically loose connection or have lags - Not anymore. Definitely worth the upgrade. But I'd love to get away from COX completely.

Is it $100/month all-in or are there additional taxes and add-ons?

I really want to drop everything but internet (and I'll drop that too as soon as there is a viable alternative).

TheTravellers
03-05-2020, 08:59 AM
Would be curious about the future availability of this too. I upgraded to COX's Panoramic Gigablast service ($100/mo) with their pod mesh network and it improved my network connectivity tremendously. I have 93 devices that connect randomly (many are bandwidth hogs) and used to sporadically loose connection or have lags - Not anymore. Definitely worth the upgrade. But I'd love to get away from COX completely.

93?!?!?!? We must be living in the 1800s, we only have a desktop, laptop, work laptop, and blu-ray player connecting, wow....

BBatesokc
03-05-2020, 09:03 AM
Is it $100/month all-in or are there additional taxes and add-ons?

I really want to drop everything but internet (and I'll drop that too as soon as there is a viable alternative).

Typical song and dance with COX. I was paying $89 for the 300 speed. I went in to a COX retail store when my 'promotion' was ending and the guy offered me GigaBlast with their all-in-one modem/router for right at $102 all-in for the next 12 months. Then I'm sure I'll have to negotiate all over again after that.

I've found that the COX stores give me a better deal than calling in. I go to the one in Edmond off Broadway and 33rd.

We recently added the Ring alarm system and lots of Ring cameras and the 300 service couldn't handle it. Their mesh pods really got my signal out further too. I like the product - hate the company.

BBatesokc
03-05-2020, 09:10 AM
93?!?!?!? We must be living in the 1800s, we only have a desktop, laptop, work laptop, and blu-ray player connecting, wow....

I know, right?!!? It starts adding up fast (Alarm system, cameras, Sonos, Echos, Tivos, game systems, laptops, desktops, tablets, etc.).

Pete
03-05-2020, 09:10 AM
^

Very helpful, thanks.

I have their regular Internet service with my own router plus several far-flung Arlo security cameras and the connection has been solid, even for a cam I have mounted at a good distance in my backyard.

BBatesokc
03-05-2020, 09:17 AM
^

Very helpful, thanks.

I have their regular Inernet service with my own router plus several far-flung Arlo security cameras and the connection has been solid, even for a cam I have mounted at a good distance in my backyard.

When we started having connectivity issues COX did the typical, "Well it could be your 3rd party router or 3rd party modem. It's $60 for us to come out." So, I dumped the 3rd party stuff and paid the $10/mo to get their stuff. Now when I have an issue it's 100% on them to fix it. Another great tip the guy at the retail store clued me in on. I live in an older home and the coax is not the same as is used now and the instal has way too many spilts. I wanted to utilize a MoCA network but couldn't under the current configuration (at least not reliably). He had me sign up for the $10/mo service plan and it covered them coming out and totally rewiring our house. You just have to keep the plan for 3 months. So, for $30 I got the house rewired and that would have costs hundreds of dollars had I not had the plan or called a 3rd party installer.

Thomas Vu
03-05-2020, 01:25 PM
I imagine 300 would be fine for 93 devices. The congestion between so many devices and overloading on what may (not) be a single access point is where I would suspect issue would be.

Mr. Blue Sky
03-05-2020, 02:35 PM
Waiting for T-Mobile Home Internet.
It is live in quite a few cities, by invitation. With the Sprint merger cleared, we should see this up and running across the country soon.
50Mbps $50
https://www.t-mobile.com/isp

pw405
03-05-2020, 05:39 PM
No AT&T Fiber in your area Pete? I was paranoid to make the switch, but can't complain. I wish the router had a bit more flexibility, but overall, can easily handle anything I throw at it.

Pete
03-05-2020, 05:51 PM
No AT&T Fiber in your area Pete? I was paranoid to make the switch, but can't complain. I wish the router had a bit more flexibility, but overall, can easily handle anything I throw at it.

Not on my street otherwise I'd use them.

SSEiYah
03-06-2020, 10:31 PM
ATT's 4g services have been vastly improved on the far NW Side in the area near Memorial and Council. Instead of 1-2 bars it is near full bars now. I hope 5g home internet is available soon but I am not holding my breath.

djohn
04-26-2021, 02:03 PM
T-mobile is offering home 5G now for $60/month with no contract, no data caps, no equip fees and includes all taxes/fees. At my house, 5G (on my phone) is faster than my current Cox internet level.

Has anyone tried the 5g Home from Tmo?

Pete
04-26-2021, 02:25 PM
T-mobile is offering home 5G now for $60/month with no contract, no data caps, no equip fees and includes all taxes/fees. At my house, 5G (on my phone) is faster than my current Cox internet level.

As I was looking to get completely away from Cox, I took a flier on T-Mobile when it was at $50/month, including tax and everything else.

For a month, I operated it in parallel to my Cox service and over that time determined it was more than adequate. I first made a call to Cox to see if they could come close in pricing (and drastically reduce my ever-increasing bill) and they could not so I canceled with them completely. I waited a couple of weeks for the pre-paid shipping box so I could return their equipment -- it never came. Another call to Cox, and this time they said they could match the T-Mobile price. Reluctantly (and because I already had the necessary wiring and a recently purchased router) I decided to stay with them. When the new equipment failed to come after a week, I promptly canceled -- this time for good -- and drove my Cox stuff down to their location in Uptown.

And I'm glad I did because I've been very happy with T-Mobile and even happier to never give Cox another dime of my money.


One somewhat substantial limitation is that T-Mobile only offers one speed and if you decide you need more bandwidth, you're out of luck. But I work from home and it's been more than adequate. When I first converted, my streaming services could be a little slow to cache but either I've become used to it or it is no longer happening. Either way, I'm a satisfied customer and suspect I won't have the weather outages I had this past winter with Cox.

And worse case, I can just return to Cox and will now have the added bargaining power of a 'new' customer.

Yet another bonus: I am locked in forever at $50/month total cost.

jerrywall
04-26-2021, 02:37 PM
^^ I wish I could sign up. It's frustrating, because a friend of mine who lives about 1/2 a mile away is able to get it, but there's no availability for me yet. My Cox bill just jumped up $30 a month, and AT&T doesn't offer fiber in my neighborhood so I'm a captive subscriber. First change I get I'll be gone.

Plutonic Panda
04-26-2021, 02:41 PM
^^ I wish I could sign up. It's frustrating, because a friend of mine who lives about 1/2 a mile away is able to get it, but there's no availability for me yet. My Cox bill just jumped up $30 a month, and AT&T doesn't offer fiber in my neighborhood so I'm a captive subscriber. First change I get I'll be gone.
Jerry, I’d recommend checking Starlink and see if it would work for you. I know they started prototype testing and I’m not sure what the current status of it is but it is worth a look:

https://www.starlink.com/

FighttheGoodFight
04-26-2021, 02:45 PM
I have seen TMobile starting to ramp up 5G coverage but there are different "5Gs" when it comes to speed. Low band, Mid band, and High Band (mmWave). Most carriers are using that low band "5G" and it really isn't much faster than LTE. I expect the mmWave to be the game changer. I do think we are quite a ways away from that.

I do have a family member who got Starlink for their lake property. Works great and much better than their old satellite internet.

FighttheGoodFight
04-26-2021, 02:46 PM
Jerry, I’d recommend checking Starlink and see if it would work for you. I know they started prototype testing and I’m not sure what the current status of it is but it is worth a look:

https://www.starlink.com/

You can get it anywhere in Oklahoma. $500 for the equipment then $90 a month for the service.

Pete
04-26-2021, 02:48 PM
I would have switched to AT&T in a heartbeat some time ago but for some strange reason the service is all around me but not in my cul-de-sac.

It's probably because on my street the utilities are buried, likely making it not economically profitable to service our little enclave.


I have to say, dropping off that Cox equipment and severing that business relationship was very satisfying.

T-Mobile provides a cylinder that looks like a smart speaker and doesn't even require a router. I should probably sell the one I bought for my Cox setup and if I did, it would represent yet another cost savings.

Plutonic Panda
04-26-2021, 02:50 PM
You can get it anywhere in Oklahoma. $500 for the equipment then $90 a month for the service.
It’s impressive and their plans are ambitious. Elon just raised the bar on the company’s goals:

https://screenrant.com/spacex-starlink-gbps-internet-download-speeds-goals-updated/amp/

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.cnbc.com/amp/2021/02/04/spacex-starlink-satellite-internet-service-has-over-10000-users.html

FighttheGoodFight
04-26-2021, 02:52 PM
It’s impressive and their plans are ambitious. Elon just raised the bar on the company’s goals:

https://screenrant.com/spacex-starlink-gbps-internet-download-speeds-goals-updated/amp/

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.cnbc.com/amp/2021/02/04/spacex-starlink-satellite-internet-service-has-over-10000-users.html

And as competition from Amazon and others coming in the near future I think people will have more freedom with their internet choices.

Pete
04-26-2021, 02:55 PM
I always say your cable company is headed for the same fate as Blockbuster: after decades of screwing their customers, they will be abandoned as soon as there is a decent alternative, even if it isn't quite as good.

When Verizon brought fiber optic to my neighborhood in California, I was one of the very first people to sign up and dump my cable provider. It proved to be a great decision in every way.

djohn
04-26-2021, 02:57 PM
I have seen TMobile starting to ramp up 5G coverage but there are different "5Gs" when it comes to speed. Low band, Mid band, and High Band (mmWave). Most carriers are using that low band "5G" and it really isn't much faster than LTE. I expect the mmWave to be the game changer. I do think we are quite a ways away from that.

I do have a family member who got Starlink for their lake property. Works great and much better than their old satellite internet.


My current speed tests from my 5g phone are about 180Mbps. Sometimes it is over 200Mbps.

Plutonic Panda
04-26-2021, 03:00 PM
I’m frustrated with my Apple phone I bought the new one and it said 5G and all I see is this LTE crap

FighttheGoodFight
04-26-2021, 03:09 PM
My current speed tests from my 5g phone are about 180Mbps. Sometimes it is over 200Mbps.

Ya on Verizons mmWave high band 5G people pull down 1.4Gbps

djohn
04-27-2021, 06:47 AM
Ya on Verizons mmWave high band 5G people pull down 1.4Gbps

Woah - that's awesome!

I'm just happy to find an alternative to Cox!

catch22
05-03-2021, 09:24 AM
I am supposed to be getting fiber in my neighborhood sometime... They sent me a message about it a year ago and never heard another peep. I have Xfinity, which is just as awful as Cox was. Unfortunately they are the only provider in my neighborhood. And I am not going to go to satellite internet. I don't like service interruptions every time there is a thunderstorm, which is quite literally every day during our monsoon season in early summer.

SSEiYah
05-06-2021, 03:30 PM
What kind of up/down speeds and latency are y'all seeing with T-Mobile 5G Internet?

Pete
05-06-2021, 03:47 PM
What kind of up/down speeds and latency are y'all seeing with T-Mobile 5G Internet?

My download speeds have not been good; usually around 20 Mbps; but I live alone so never have multiple devices to serve at the same time and it's been sufficient.

Uploads have been faster than Cox, about 15 Mbps.

Bunty
05-07-2021, 12:26 PM
Anyone have a feel for when we might see the first 5G Home internet services in OKC?

For those who don't know, 5G should be fast enough to run your entire home network. It would require an antenna on your house that would grab the signal from cell towers, then run a traditional cable down to your router.

It has limited implementation but in the current markets, it's pretty reasonable from traditional carriers like Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile.


I desperately want to cut Cox Cable but I still need internet. 5G seems to be the best hope.

That sounds like a massive technological step backward to the early 1950s when people had to put up TV antennas on the roofs of their houses. At least 5G would require a much smaller antenna and be less of an eyesore on your roof.