Articles by Samuel Contreras

5G is the next big technology and every carrier wants in on that action. Except for on AT&T’s 5Ge network, seeing 5G on your device means that you are using the newest and fastest wireless technology available. The only problem is that every carrier has a different plan for implementing it. Verizon, for example, is making sure it’s at the front of the pack in terms of deployment and overall speed.

Understanding how each carrier will deploy 5G can be confusing but we’ve been keeping tabs on all of them. Here is everything you need to know about Verizon’s newest and fastest wireless network.

When will my area even get 5G?
Which devices should I get to be 5G ready?
Which plan do I need for access?
What tech is Verizon using?
Does it do home internet?
Is 5G worth it for most people?

The 5G Galaxy

Samsung Galaxy S20+ 5G

$1200 at Samsung

A beautiful and fast phone

One of Samsung’s fastest and most capable phones, it comes equipped with a fast CPU, 12GB of RAM, a large 4,50…

All four major U.S. carriers and even some MVNOs currently offer unlimited data plans. In the past, carriers have steered away from offering a lot of data. Now, the plans are mainly differentiated by extras such as hotspot data, streaming quality, or even bundled extras like streaming services. T-Mobile’s Magenta plan is the best value with plenty of data, 5G access, and even Netflix if you bring two or more lines.

Best Overall: T-Mobile Magenta

T-Mobile’s three main plans are all unlimited, starting with the Essentials plan and moving up to the Magenta and Magenta Plus plan. All three plans come with unlimited talk, text, and LTE data. T-Mobile also offers 5G connectivity to anyone with a compatible phone, so there’s no need to look for a special plan. The main differences come with the extras.

The Essentials plan is the most basic and doesn’t include taxes and fees in the sticker price. It starts at $60 per month for one line. For two lines, the price comes down to $45 per lin…

AT&T has one of the most developed 5G networks out right now with millimeter wave coverage alongside low-band coverage in several cities. Both networks are available to customers with phones capable of connecting to both networks. AT&T has been aggressively expanding its 5G network and now approximates coverage for 120 million people with 190 markets. 80 Million are covered by the more accessible low-band network. Here’s what you need to know if you are considering switching to, or upgrading your phone on AT&T.

When will my area get 5G?
Which phones work with 5G?
Which plan do I need?
What tech is AT&T using?
What is 5Ge?
Is 5G worth it for most people?

When will my area get 5G?

As far as true 5G goes, AT&T is building two networks. One network is a low-band sub-6 5G deployment at 850Mhz. The majority of customers will see 5G on this network. The other network is a high-band mmWave network that is capable of very fast speeds but has a much more limited range….

T-Mobile, like the rest of the big U.S. carriers, is keen on selling access to MVNOs (Mobile Virtual Network Operators). This is great since it benefits T-Mobile (income without any investment), the MVNO (no need to build its own network), and us (more choices at different prices). A lot of MVNOs use T-Mobile’s network, either exclusively or in combination with other carriers. For most people, Metro by T-Mobile is a great fit thanks to its wide range of plans and full support for T-Mobile’s 5G network.

Best Overall: Metro by T-Mobile

Metro by T-Mobile isn’t technically an MVNO since T-Mobile owns it. However, Metro operates independently and has different policies, pricing, and features.

Metro offers plans with unlimited calling and texting. The price differences come down to the data packages available at 2GB, 10GB, or unlimited. Plans start at $30 per month, which includes all taxes and extra fees.

Metro by T-Mobile keeps data usage low with a feature called “Data Maximizer” …

You never know exactly when you’ll have a solid Wi-Fi connection for your tablet or computer which is why it’s great to be able to share your phone’s data connection. While using a mobile hotspot, or tethering, isn’t a great solution for your home internet, it can be great to know you have a backup plan. If you’re looking for a tethering mobile hotspot plan that works with your preferred network these are some of the best options available.

Best Unlimited

Visible

Staff Pick

Visible makes a lot of sense if you like to use a lot of data. It keeps things simple with just one plan with unlimited talk, text, and data in the U.S. It also offers unlimited hotspot data, and while it is limited to 5Mbps, you can use it as much as you want. Long story short, browsing, social media, and music streaming should feel fast but you should only expect around 720p for videos on the hotspot.

$40 per month at Visible

Best International

Google Fi

Google Fi’s biggest trick is using a com…

Best answer: No, Mint Mobile doesn’t offer 5G support in its plans. Some users, however, are reporting 5G connectivity with T-Mobile 5G compatible phones and Mint Mobile is selling 5G capable phones on its site.

LTE service on T-Mobile’s network: Mint Mobile (From $15 per month at Mint Mobile)
T-Mobile 5G service: Google Fi (From $20 per month at Google Fi)
5G capable and available unlocked: Samsung Galaxy S20 ($1000 at Best Buy)

Thank the T-Mobile network

Mint Mobile is based on the T-Mobile network and currently uses the full LTE network for its phones. While many T-Mobile based MVNOs have started to offer 5G connectivity to customers with compatible phones on the nationwide 600MHz 5G network (Google Fi is an MVNO that uses T-Mobile’s network and has already begun to enable 5G on compatible phones), Mint Mobile has yet to make that commitment.

There is no doubt that Mint Mobile will eventually support 5G, especially given T-Mobile’s continued development of its next-generatio…

Wi-Fi 6 was designed with the future of routers in mind. As more people work from home in the wake of coronavirus, holes in our Wi-Fi are more annoying than ever. As our homes get smarter, we have more connections than ever that need to check in consistently and reliably. Wi-Fi 6 is designed to bring more capacity to a network and even allows for greater speed with a lot of devices. Wi-Fi 6 mesh systems have come down in price, and the Netgear Nighthawk MK62 is one of the best choices for most people.

Best Overall: Netgear Nighthawk MK62

The Nighthawk Mesh WiFi 6 System from Netgear takes on compact AC-only mesh systems with its compact housing and understated design. Measuring only 4.8 inches wide and 2.5 inches tall, each router has a smaller footprint than a CD case. This compact design makes this mesh system one of the easiest to integrate into a home.

While you do give up some speed compared to the larger and more expensive mesh systems, the AX1800 speeds should be more tha…

As we get closer to 5G networks on our cell phones, it’s essential to have speeds that are faster than that when we are at home. Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) has arrived and promises speeds of up to 10Gbps by combining those 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands to provide a better experience. The next cog in the wheel is finding the best Wi-Fi 6-compatible router, and we have found the best ones for you to consider.

Smarter homes

TP-Link Archer AX6000 Router

Staff Pick

If you are looking for a regular router, chances are you’ve taken a look at some of the offerings from TP-Link. The company has moved into the Wi-Fi 6 era with the AX6000 router. This router includes eight antennas attached to the base which aims to provide a “powerful” Wi-Fi signal throughout your home, without needing additional routers.

$270 at Amazon

$270 at Best Buy

Budget Wi-Fi 6

Netgear 4-Stream WiFi 6 Router (RAX15)

Let’s face it, most people don’t need a ton of Wi-Fi speed but that doesn’t mean they won’t benefit from Wi-…

Signing up for AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, or Verizon service is making a commitment to a network. MVNOs just sell access to one of the major networks with different services and plans that might work better for some people. Most of them ditch any sort of contract as well. Unless an MVNO is partially owned or operated by a specific carrier, it will have no specific commitment to any network.

With an MVNO, it can be possible to choose which network works best for you or use one that’s compatible with the phone you already have. Keep in mind that if you roam a lot or see extended LTE popping up on your phone, you’re using another carrier’s network and you may lose service in these areas on an MVNO.

Just be sure to check the coverage map for each carrier before signing up.

Sprint and T-Mobile

In April 2020, T-Mobile completed its purchase of Sprint taking over all of its network assets. While this will undoubtedly have an eventual impact on MVNOs making use of either network, for th…

Mint Mobile has some great plans but which option is the best for you?

Mint Mobile is interesting because it does things a little differently by selling phone service in bulk. You can definitely save some money if you are willing to buy more, up to a year. Now you just need to find out which plan makes the most sense for you.

The network
The plans
International service
Which plan do you need
The Phones

Savings in bulk

Mint Mobile

From $15 per month at Mint Mobile

Buy three or more months

Grab a few months and save with Mint Mobile. The T-Mobile network backing the service has great coverage and speed and is set to get even stronger.

We have a lot of Mint Mobile coverage. Take a deeper dive into what makes the service unique and see how it stacks up.

Mint Mobile: Everything you need to know
Mint Mobile review: A cheaper, better prepaid cellular plan

The network

Mint Mobile uses T-Mobile’s network exclusively. T-Mobile has been pushing its band 71 coverage out on m…