Brightspeed vs. T-Mobile Home Internet: Which Internet Provider Is Best for You?
Choose T-Mobile 5G or Brighstpeed fiber if you can
Nov 8, 2024 | Share 
Provider Comparisons (Versus), Provider Reviews
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Best for rural areas
- Customer rating: 3.1/5
- Price: Starting at $39.00/mo.*
- Top speeds: 15–2,000Mbps
- Internet type: DSL, fiber
- Data cap: None
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Best for speed and price
- Customer rating: 4.1/5
- Price: Starting at $50.00/mo.†
- Top speed: 245Mbps
- Internet type: 5G home internet
- Data cap: None
*Brightspeed
- Autopay required. Installation fee may apply. Limited availability in select areas. Prices may vary depending on location.
- Monthly prepayment required. Additional taxes, fees, and surcharges apply. Limited availability in select areas. Prices may vary depending on location.
†w/ Auto Pay. Regulatory fees included in monthly price for qualified accounts. See full terms. Delivered via 5G cellular network; speeds vary due to factors affecting cellular networks, including data prioritization.
Compare Brightspeed and T-Mobile Home Internet head-to-head
T-Mobile’s 5G Home Internet is cheap, fast, and easy to set up—what’s not to like? It’s definitely a better option than Brightspeed DSL, which is most of what the new company offers. But fiber internet from Brightspeed is a different story. You can get fast, reliable connections for prices that are comparable to what T-Mobile offers, and you won’t have to worry about deprioritiazation compared to mobile devices.
If you live in an area with great T-Mobile service but only DSL from Brightspeed, we recommend T-Mobile. But if you live somewhere with spotty 5G but access to a shiny new fiber plan from Brightspeed, go with Brightspeed.
We’ve been following the trajectories of both of these internet providers closely over the past several years—both are plucky underdogs with big plans and a lot to offer internet customers. So read on for our analysis of which one of these providers gives you the most bang for your buck.
Pros and cons: Brightspeed vs. T-Mobile 5G Home Internet
Pros:
- Wide availability
- More reliable than satellite
- Fast fiber in some areas
Cons:
- Slow DSL speeds
- Equipment fees on DSL plans
Pros:
- Reasonable prices
- Faster max speeds than DSL
- Free equipment and easy self-installation
Cons:
- Limited availability in rural areas
- Slower and less reliable than fiber internet
Want to know if Brightspeed or T-Mobile Home Internet are in your area? Take a look by typing in your zip code below.
Plans and pricing: Brightspeed vs. T-Mobile Home Internet
Brightspeed came online in 2022 as part of a deal to take over CenturyLink’s DSL customers, and it remains a DSL provider primarily—although, you can find its far superior fiber coverage in all 20 of its states. T-Mobile’s 5G Home Internet service is also relatively new, but it’s gotten rave reviews thanks to its reasonable monthly pricing, reliable speeds, and affordable pricing when you bundle with a mobile phone plan.
Brightspeed plans and pricing
| Package | Price | Top speed | Order online |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internet DSL | $50.00/mo.* | 15Mbps | |
| Brightspeed Internet DSL | $50.00/mo.† | 40Mbps | |
| Fiber 200 | $39.00/mo.║ | 200Mbps | |
| Fiber 500 | $59.00/mo.║ | 500Mbps | |
| Fiber 1 Gig | $59.00/mo.║ | 940Mbps | |
| Fiber 2 Gig | $79.00/mo.║ | 2,000Mbps |
Data effective 11/8/2024. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
*Autopay required. Installation fee may apply. Limited availability in select areas. Prices may vary depending on location.
†Monthly prepayment required. Additional taxes, fees, and surcharges apply. Limited availability in select areas. Prices may vary depending on location.
║Autopay required. Installation fee may apply. Limited availability in select areas. Prices may vary depending on location.
Many Brightspeed customers are limited to DSL plans, which gives you speeds up to 40Mbps. The plan isn’t exactly an eye-popping offering—it’s actually kinda slow—but the price is right, especially considering that the plan includes unlimited data and doesn’t require an annual contract.
Brightspeed’s fiber internet service is harder to find, but the company has installed it in half its footprint, with offerings in all 20 of the states it covers. That said, you should definitely spring for one of the fiber plans if you can get it. Brightspeed gets you superb speeds at a fair price.
Pro tip:
Want the full scoop on Brightspeed? Take a look at our in-depth review of Brightspeed internet.
T-Mobile Home Internet plans and pricing
| Package | Starting price | Speed | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| T-Mobile 5G Home Internet Unlimited | $50.00/mo.* | 72–245Mbps | View Plan |
| T-Mobile 5G Home Internet Plus | $70.00/mo.* | 72–245Mbps | View Plan |
Data as of 6/14/2024.
*w/ Auto Pay. Regulatory fees included in monthly price for qualified accounts. See full terms. Delivered via 5G cellular network; speeds vary due to factors affecting cellular networks, including data prioritization.
T-Mobile keeps it simple with a single internet plan. With advertised speeds of between 72 and 245Mbps, you get enough bandwidth to cover plenty of streaming, gaming, and more in a small to mid-sized household—not enough to launch a crypto-mining farm, but plenty for the average netizen.
You don’t have to worry about data caps, contracts, or equipment or installation fees with T-Mobile. Even better, you get a $20 discount if you’re also signed up for one of T-Mobile’s flagship cellular plans, Go5G Next, Go5G Plus or Magenta MAX.
Pro tip:
You can learn more about T-Mobile Home Internet in our comprehensive review. Get the full low-down on pricing, speed capabilities, 5G availability, and more.
Deals and promotions: Brightspeed vs. T-Mobile
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Want to know if Brightspeed or T-Mobile are in your area? Take a look by typing in your zip code below.
Extra fees: Brightspeed vs. T-Mobile Home Internet
| Equipment Fee | Installation Fee | Data overage charge | Early contract termination | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brightspeed | $15.00/mo. for modem+router or $200.00 to purchase; no charge for fiber plans | Up to $100 for pro install Equipment fee on DSL plans | None | None |
| T-Mobile Home Internet | None | None | None | None |
One of T-Mobile’s big selling points is that it doesn’t tack on any extra fees to its 5G home internet service. You don’t have to pay for equipment or installation, and there are no data caps or early termination fees for canceling your service.
Brightspeed charges a fee for professional installation, whether you’re getting fiber or DSL. DSL customers also need to pay a fee to lease one of Brightspeed’s modem+router gateways during the length of your service, but you can opt out of that monthly expense by paying $200 to buy the modem outright.
An even better idea, though, would be buying your own modem and router. That way, you can ensure you’re getting top-quality hardware at a price within your budget! Take a look at our best routers guide for ideas.
Customer ratings: Brightspeed vs. T-Mobile Home Internet
| Overall Rating | Reliability Rating | Customer Service Rating | Speed Rating | Price Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brightspeed | 3.3/5 | 3.3/5 | 3.3/5 | 3.5/5 | 2.9/5 |
| T-Mobile Home Internet | 4.1/5 | 4.0/5 | 4.1/5 | 3.9/5 | 4.1/5 |
T-Mobile rocks the house in our annual customer satisfaction survey. In an analysis of 15 internet providers, the 5G provider sweeps to the top in crucial categories like price and customer service, beating out formidable contenders like Google Fiber and Verizon.
Brightspeed doesn’t make the cut as a featured ISP in our report—the provider launched about a year ago, and it doesn’t quite rank with the big boys just yet. But we still solicited customer feedback, and they gave Brightspeed below-average scores across the board, as you can see in the full results tallied at the end of the report. (See the “Results for All ISPs” section.)
Best TV and internet bundles
| Package | Best bundle deal | Price | Order online |
|---|---|---|---|
|
| Brightspeed Internet with Digital Voice | Contact customer service | |
|
| $20/mo. off T-Mobile 5G Home Internet when you add Go5G Next, Go5G Plus or Magenta® MAX mobile plan | $30.00/mo. + price of mobile plan |
T-Mobile is best known for its cell phone plans, so of course it’s going to hook up customers who bundle their internet with cellular service. You can get up to $20 a month off your 5G Home Internet plan when you also have a qualifying wireless plan. Although some plans get you a $10 monthly discount, you get the full $20 discount with Go5G Next, Go5G Plus, or Magenta MAX.
You can’t get a bundle deal from Brightspeed—this provider doesn’t have TV or cellular offerings like T-Mobile does. However, you can get a digital phone line through Brightspeed, and you can sign up for moving services if you’re moving to a new place too. Contact customer service for more details.
Internet types: Brightspeed vs. T-Mobile Home Internet
| Internet type | Order online | |
|---|---|---|
| Brightspeed | DSL, fiber | View Plans |
| T-Mobile Home Internet | 5G | View Plans |
Although Brightspeed offers fast fiber in some areas, it’s mainly a DSL provider. DSL runs over the copper wiring of a landline phone network, making it widely available but also slow and prone to technical issues. A lot of internet providers are phasing out their DSL services due to dwindling customer interest.
By comparison, T-Mobile’s 5G home internet is all the rage in urban areas and big cities. 5G is the fifth generation of cellular network technology—it works over wireless transmitters and is capable of delivering impressive speeds. 5G’s wireless connection makes it less stable compared to wired connections like fiber and cable, but many customers still give it positive reviews and report receiving fast and reliable service.
Data caps: Brightspeed vs. T-Mobile Home Internet
| Data Cap | Order online | |
|---|---|---|
| Brightspeed | None | View Plans |
| T-Mobile Home Internet | None | View Plan |
Neither Brightspeed nor T-Mobile impose data caps on customers. You can use as much internet data as you like all month long to stream, game, make video calls, and more—no need to worry about overage charges or throttled speeds.
Contracts: Brightspeed vs. T-Mobile Home Internet
| Annual contract | Order online | |
|---|---|---|
| Brightspeed | None | View Plans |
| T-Mobile Home Internet | None | View Plan |
You don’t have to sign up for an annual contract when you get Brightspeed or T-Mobile. You can cancel your service any time without shelling out early termination fees—so breathe easy if you’re going to move soon or just not happy with your service.
Installation: Brightspeed vs. T-Mobile Home Internet
| Installation options | Order online | |
|---|---|---|
| Brightspeed |
| View Plans |
| T-Mobile Home Internet |
| View Plan |
Brightspeed lets you choose between professional installation or self installation. You’re better off getting the self-install kit because the internet is fairly straightforward to set up. You don’t need a professional to handle it unless you need someone to run wiring through your walls or underground.
T-Mobile 5G Home Internet also comes with a self-installation kit. Setting things up is quick and easy: you use the T-Mobile app to find a good place for your gateway and then follow the instructions to get your Wi-Fi activated.
Availability: Brightspeed vs. T-Mobile Home Internet
You can find Brightspeed in 20 states in the South and Midwest, as well as Pennsylvania and New Jersey. T-Mobile has a larger nationwide footprint—it’s mostly up and running in large cities and metro areas with ample 5G network access. Search your zip code below to see if you can get either of these providers on your block.
To see if Brightspeed or T-Mobile Home Internet is in your area, enter your zip code below:
Final call: Brightspeed vs. T-Mobile Home Internet
If you can get only DSL from Brightspeed but you have good 5G in your neighborhood, T-Mobile Home Internet is definitely the way to go. T-Mobile’s home internet service is cheap, fast, and ridiculously easy to set up. It also comes with tons of deals, including a $20 monthly discount for select T-Mobile cellular customers.
Brightspeed isn’t too shabby either. The relatively new provider has solid prices and features for fiber internet, and we recommend jumping on that if you can get it. But “if” is the key word here. Most of Brightspeed’s customers only have access to DSL, which is only good if you live in a small town or rural area with limited internet options.
Methodology
Our HighSpeedInternet.com editorial team bases our analyses on customer input from our annual customer satisfaction survey, results from our speed test tool, and proprietary internet provider data on speeds and pricing. To strengthen our research, we look closely at provider contracts to get hard-to-find information on price hikes, data caps, and extra fees, and we keep tabs on the latest news reports and online reviews. When applicable, we also rely on our personal experiences testing these services.
More about Brightspeed and T-Mobile Home Internet
Author - Peter Holslin
Peter Holslin has more than a decade of experience working as a writer and freelance journalist. He graduated with a BA in liberal arts and journalism from New York City’s The New School University in 2008 and went on to contribute to publications like Rolling Stone, VICE, BuzzFeed, and countless others. At HighSpeedInternet.com, he focuses on covering 5G, nerding out about frequency bands and virtual RAN, and producing reviews on emerging services like 5G home internet. He also writes about internet providers and packages, hotspots, VPNs, and Wi-Fi troubleshooting.
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