T-Mobile Buys New Fiber Internet Infrastructure

T-Mobile already made a big splash with its 5G Home Internet service, but now the cellular carrier is expanding its fiber network with the purchase of Lumos.

The deal comes with about half a million fiber customers for T-Mobile, and the company plans to build out the network to reach another 3.5 million homes by 2028.

The Lumos acquisition follows T-Mobile’s 2023 entrance into the fiber marketplace. Back then, it used the networks of two regional internet providers—Pilot Fiber in NYC and Intrepid Fiber in Colorado—to get customers connected.

With the Lumos acquisition, T-Mobile’s fiber footprint will expand to 32 markets in the following eight states:

• California
• Colorado
• Florida
• Illinois
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• New York
• Wisconsin

Why is T-Mobile embracing fiber?

T-Mobile probably wants to sell fiber internet because, well, fiber is the best kind of internet. Fiber-optic cable connects vast networks worldwide, and residential fiber-optic plans give customers incredibly fast speeds over a reliable network.

Despite the hype around 5G, the bandwidth capabilities of 5G home internet don’t come close to what fiber can do. The fixed wireless connection of 5G home internet also makes it more susceptible to slowdowns and outages, especially in areas with poor cell service.

T-Mobile’s two big competitors in the cellular space, AT&T and Verizon, already maintain fiber networks and sell fiber internet. Verizon regularly sweeps to the top-five list on our Fastest Internet Providers report, while AT&T offers plans with speeds of up to 5,000Mbps in some areas. Both providers get excellent ratings in our annual customer satisfaction survey, largely thanks to their fiber offerings.

These days, the lines have begun to blur between phone companies and internet providers as they aim to win over customers in an increasingly connected world. It makes sense that T-Mobile would want to stake a claim as a fiber internet provider to stay competitive. By offering fiber internet alongside more budget-friendly 5G Home Internet plans, T-Mobile can offer its customers a wider array of choices and faster speeds.

Compare T-Mobile Fiber plans

T-Mobile Fiber plans include unlimited data and a Wi-Fi 6 router at no extra cost. You get 24/7 customer support, and you don’t have to sign an annual contract, so you can cancel at any time without having to fork over early termination fees. Also, if you preorder now, you get the first month free and could get a gift card worth $300.

What’s better—T-Mobile, Verizon, or AT&T?

T-Mobile’s baseline fiber plan gives you faster speeds for a lower price compared to the lowest-tier plans from Verizon and AT&T. Its gigabit plan is also $10 to $20 cheaper per month, making it the same price as Google Fiber’s gigabit plan.

On the other hand, Verizon and AT&T have much larger networks—and proven track records for providing fiber service. Both have multi-gigabit plans and do away with data caps and extra fees, like T-Mobile.

Ultimately, the fiber provider you choose depends most of all on what’s available in your area: it’s rare to find more than a single fiber provider anywhere. If you can get T-Mobile Fiber on your block, it’s well worth trying out.

When can you get T-Mobile Fiber?

T-Mobile fiber internet is already available in 17 communities, and listed as “coming soon” in many more. It has ambitions to grow rapidly, reaching 12 to 15 million households with fiber by 2030.

Enter your zip code below to see if you’re eligible. If not, you may be able to sign up for T-Mobile’s 5G service or get added to the T-Mobile Fiber waiting list.

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