When Samuel is not writing about networking or 5G at Mobile Nations, he spends most of his time researching computer components and obsessing over what CPU goes into the ultimate Windows 98 computer. It's the Pentium 3.
5G is getting faster and coverage is improving but it still falls short of cable's consistency and reliability when it comes to home internet. As an option for someone without a cable or fiber connection, it's wonderful but until mmWave and mid-band 5G makes it to more people, it doesn't quite stack up.
The Netgear Nighthawk RAX80 is a fast dual-band Wi-Fi 6 router with simple app-based setup and detailed controls in a web browser. Take control of your network with great software that can make you feel like a home Wi-Fi expert.
The TP-Link Archer AX90 is an incredibly fast tri-band Wi-Fi 6 router with multi-gig Ethernet and a somewhat ostentatious design. If you need to connect a lot of devices and need the extra speed of 160MHz Wi-Fi on DFS without upgrading to Wi-Fi 6E, this is a great choice.
Visible and Mint Mobile both share the same goal of offering great phone service at an even better price, but which one is the best? That's what we're here to find out.
Google Wifi is a great value for building a simple and functional mesh network but thanks to it's higher speeds and the inclusion of a smart speaker, the Nest Wifi system makes the most sense today.
Mint Mobile drives costs down for one or two lines but AT&T Prepaid still has a lot of value especially if you need unlimited data or want to get the whole family on one account.
TP-Link HomeCare comes with several Archer routers and Deco mesh systems and comes with improved security, QoS options, and parental controls. Best of all, it's free to use.
Mint Mobile is a great choice for most smartphone users with T-Mobile coverage. Consumer Cellular has a lot more choice with fewer minutes but still offers plenty of data if you find you need it.
Mint Mobile has some of the cheapest data around but Google Fi offers more data as well as family plans. If you've got the right phone, Google Fi even has better coverage, especially when you leave the country.
The days of being locked into a lengthy wireless contract are over, as there are a plethora of prepaid options that allow you to pay for your phone service on a month-to-month basis.
Wi-Fi 6 mesh routers take speed to the next level with improved connectivity between the mesh nodes. Whether you need gigabit speeds or just want consistent coverage, there are plenty of options available.
Here's how to activate your Verizon wireless service on a new device.
5G deployment is moving fast and the list of cities with coverage is growing all the time. See if your U.S. city has coverage yet by Verizon, T-Mobile, or AT&T.
Verizon is bringing Ultra Wideband 5G to four new cities and expanding its 5G Home Internet service to three more covered cities. Verizon will also begin paying customers' early termination fees, up to $500, when they switch to 5G Home Internet. New customers can also get a free Samsung Chromebook 4.
Verizon has begun to deploy C-Band equipment to its cell sites from partners Ericsson and Samsung. Verizon expects to cover more than 100 million people with the 5G upgrade by March 2022. T-Mobile counters that its 2.5GHz spectrum not only has better coverage but already covers 125 million people with 200 million expected by the end of 2021.
If you are 55 and up, you can save money on the three big carriers. You can also move to a prepaid carrier if you're comfortable setting up your own device.
AT&T has the fastest 5G download speeds in the U.S. according to results from RootMetrics. With a focus on real-world results in 45 markets RootMetrics also found that AT&T and Verizon tied for the best 5G reliability with T-Mobile comfortably in the lead for best 5G coverage.
Ookla, creator of the popular Speedtest app has the data to show that T-Mobile is the fastest carrier in Q1 of 2021. T-Mobile also placed first when it came to 5G download speed, time spent on 5G, and even had the greatest network consistency.
The first two Wi-Fi 6E routers you can buy have a lot in common when it comes to network speeds both wired and wireless. The main differences come down to design and software with ROG edging out Netgear as the better value.
All three major carriers in the U.S. offer unlimited data plans. But which is the best?