Cricket 5G Home Internet has entered the broadband fray, adding a fresh competitor for T-Mobile and Verizon as both carriers draw customers away from traditional cable and telco internet providers.
In recent months, consumers have increasingly shifted from cable broadband to lower-cost fixed wireless and fiber options offered by wireless carriers. According to figures from Recon Analytics, T-Mobile added roughly 520,000 broadband subscribers in the second quarter of 2026. Verizon reported about 348,000 net internet additions over the same period. In a May analysis, a telecom researcher said the long-standing U.S. broadband duopoly of cable and telephone companies is weakening as carriers and alternative providers expand availability, simplify setup, and reduce prices.
Cricket 5G Home Internet service details
Cricket Wireless, owned by AT&T, has launched Cricket 5G Home Internet, a fixed wireless home service running on AT&T’s network. The offering, announced in a Sept. 16 press release, touts straightforward pricing with taxes included, no annual contracts, and do-it-yourself setup.
The standard plan is priced at $65 per month. New customers who also take Cricket Wireless pay $75 per month for the bundle, while existing Cricket Wireless customers can add the home service for $45 per month with a $5 autopay discount applied.
The plan includes unlimited data for streaming, gaming, browsing, and household use. Typical performance ranges from 90 to 300 Mbps for downloads, 8 to 30 Mbps for uploads, and latency of 30 to 65 milliseconds. Customers can self-install within minutes using the myCricket Internet App, the company said. “Customers are looking for fast, reliable internet that’s simple to buy, easy to understand, and backed by a brand they trust,” said Angela Rittgers, president of Cricket Wireless, adding that the new service aims to provide value while removing complexity.
Cricket 5G Home Internet in a push for affordability
The debut comes as the three largest U.S. wireless carriers, T-Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon, refresh their home internet lineups. In March, AT&T introduced its OneConnect plan at $90 per month, combining mobile service with 1-gig fiber home internet, offering speeds up to 1,000 Mbps. In May, T-Mobile updated its fiber portfolio with a new 300 Mbps tier starting at $45 per month, reduced its Fiber 1 Gig price from $65 to $60 per month, and kept its 2 Gbps plan at $70 per month without requiring a promotion.
Verizon followed with its Verizon One plan in June, bundling mobile and home internet for $70 per month. Providers have emphasized value as households react to rising bills. An August survey from PCMag found that 47% of U.S. consumers experienced internet price increases over the past year, averaging $16.58 more per month, or nearly $200 annually. About 11% reported monthly hikes above $30. Amid these increases, 36% said they are dissatisfied with their current service and are considering switching. A PCMag broadband editor noted that limited competition in many regions has allowed providers to maintain high prices despite modest service improvements.
As carriers and alternative providers expand availability, simplify setup, and reduce prices, some analysts have pointed to broader tech-sector shifts and consumer expectations, similar to trends noted when Amazon adds Shop the Scene to Prime Video shopping and other bundled digital services.