Best 4G LTE Home Internet Providers

In the same way your cell service gets routed through cell towers and connects your phone to the internet, LTE home internet uses cell towers to connect your specialized home router to the internet. LTE home internet tends to be faster than satellite internet, though it can also have data restrictions.

Wireless 4G LTE home internet has been overshadowed by the next-generation 5G Home Internet. While 5G is faster and has become more available, it's still not as built out as 4G LTE internet infrastructures, so if you live in a more rural area, you're likely to see LTE home internet plans from 5G home internet providers like T-Mobile and Verizon home internet. Both rarely give the option of a standalone 4G plan when 5G plans are available in your area.

We think T-Mobile offers the best LTE and 5G home internet overall because of its excellent price and wide coverage map, but Verizon is also a solid choice. If you’re looking for portable 4G internet, Unlimitedville is the best choice.

• Best overall: T-Mobile
• Lowest price: Verizon
• Most flexible: Unlimitedville
• Best customer service: Ladybug Wireless
• Best cheap portable option: UbiFi

Whether you’re looking for a home 4G plan or a portable 4G service that you can take with you, the first thing to consider is the cellular network that works best for where you want to use it. Verizon and T-Mobile sell their home internet service only in specific locations.

If you’re looking for portable 4G internet, most providers offer plans that use different cellular networks: Verizon, AT&T, or T-Mobile. Verizon has the most substantial network overall so that it will have better speed and reliability in more places—but it’s usually the most expensive. On the other end, T-Mobile plans tend to be the cheapest but aren’t the best coverage. However, you’ll save a lot of money by using the service in places that get good coverage from a more affordable plan.

T-Mobile has been one of the major cell phone providers in the US for years and is rapidly expanding the reach of its home internet service by leveraging its extensive 4G LTE and 5G network. As with Verizon, T-Mobile’s home 5G service isn’t available in every area.

One of the most significant differences between T-Mobile and other 4G providers is the lack of upfront costs. There’s no equipment rental or registration fee for new customers, which can be a huge relief, especially for rural customers who are used to satellite internet costs. There are also no price hikes or contracts with T-Mobile’s home internet plan, so you don’t have to worry about unexpected fees down the road either.

T-Mobile 4G LTE home internet offers a combination of high download speeds and unlimited data, making it an excellent choice for those who want to stream video from places like Netflix without worrying about hitting data caps. You can get some of the highest 4G speeds for the lowest monthly cost.

Verizon has been a leader in 4G LTE home internet over the last few years, and that effort shows. Its current equipment generation offers a much more stable connection and easier installation than most other home 4G LTE providers.

Verizon’s biggest advantage for customers is that if you bundle your home internet with its phone service, the price is considerably lower than T-Mobile’s.

Verizon’s speed is low compared to other wireless internet providers but is still a step up compared to satellite internet, especially when comparing latency. Its home 4G LTE internet is also unavailable in all areas of Verizon’s cellular network. While its availability is still limited, Verizon recently doubled its 4G LTE Home Internet coverage, catching up to the competitors quickly.

Unlimitedville offers customers a lot of flexibility, including the option of three different mobile carriers, which gives the plan a massive coverage range. The plan’s monthly price depends on which network you’re using: T-Mobile costs $149, AT&T costs $199, and Verizon costs $249. If multiple carriers have coverage in your area, make sure you go with the least expensive, as the difference in cost is pretty substantial.

Along with high monthly costs, new customers must pay their first month upfront and a one-time membership fee of $249. That membership fee covers the price of the hotspot, so the trade-off is that there are no monthly costs for equipment. Switching to Unlimitedville is a pretty hefty upfront investment, but it’s worth it for people who want a lot of flexibility in their internet plan. It’s a great portable option because it sets up in new locations in seconds.

Ladybug Wireless is a smaller provider of mobile hotspot service. It emphasizes customer service and technical support and assists with various issues, from updating your device’s firmware to changing your password. This makes it a good choice for people interested in switching to a mobile hotspot but nervous about dealing with new technical issues.

Ladybug Wireless offers various plans and the option to operate on several nationwide networks. Plan pricing depends on the network you connect to and the amount of data you get per month, which can mean a lot of variability in price. Its starter packages also include the purchase of a modem, making for some very high upfront costs.

Ladybug Wireless does have a BYOD (bring your own device) option, which allows you to avoid these upfront costs, provided your device is compatible with the network you want. For help picking out your equipment, check out our list of the best mobile hotspots.

One of Ladybug Mobile’s most significant downsides compared to other 4G LTE providers is the limited data on its plans. That said, its data caps are still considerably higher than those offered by satellite providers like Hughesnet and Viasat, so many internet users will never have to worry about hitting them. However, if you use video streaming services like Netflix and Hulu, you can quickly burn through data.

UbiFi is widely available in rural areas of the US and offers low-monthly service. Thus, It lowers the barriers for rural customers who need low-latency connections for activities like playing online games or using video chat. 

Although UbiFi is portable, its equipment doesn’t have a battery option, so you can’t wander far from an outlet while you can take it with you. It uses AT&T’s 4G network, one of the largest networks, but it has no other network options.

One major pitfall in UbiFi’s otherwise affordable plan is the hefty initial setup cost of $314.99. This cost includes purchasing a router, so you don’t have to worry about equipment fees later on, but this can be a major hurdle for those looking to use UbiFi as a budget option.

4G LTE internet providers offer two distinct plans: direct-from-carrier plans and mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) plans.

Direct-from-carrier plans, like those offered by T-Mobile and Verizon, are provided through the provider that owns the network infrastructure. This allows these providers to offer plans at lower prices and higher speeds.

MVNOs buy data from the big carriers (AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile) and resell it to their customers. This usually means higher and more variable prices, but it also means that a single MVNO carrier can offer service on several different networks, giving MVNOs a much wider footprint.

Portability is one of the main differences between direct-from-carrier plans and MVNOs. Carriers can offer lower prices because home 4G plans are tied to your home address, allowing them to manage network traffic more efficiently. Home 4G equipment can also be placed in the part of your home with the best signal, providing a more reliable connection.

MVNOs, on the other hand, generally offer mobile internet hotspots that you can take with you in an RV or set up in a hotel on a business trip. Since these plans are typically more expensive, we suggest that you choose a home 4G plan unless portability is important enough for you to justify the additional cost.

Additionally, not all portable internet is created equal. Providers that offer equipment that can run on batteries make it much easier to take your internet on the road. Some providers also provide a variety of devices or the option to buy your device, allowing you to customize your equipment to your specific needs.

Although carriers like T-Mobile and Verizon have extensive 4G cellular networks, 4G home internet is unavailable in every area with cellular reception. However, as carriers continue to upgrade their infrastructure, the availability of home 4G is expanding.

Mobile 4G plans offered through MVNOs generally have much wider availability. Still, it’s crucial to ensure your plan uses the most widely available network in areas where you travel. For example, suppose your provider offers Verizon and T-Mobile networks in your home area, but you regularly travel to places where T-Mobile doesn’t have coverage. In that case, you might want to sign up for the plan that uses Verizon’s network instead.

It’s important to remember that the price of MVNO plans generally varies depending on the carrier’s network. We recommend choosing the least expensive option available in your area.

Most 4G LTE internet providers advertise speeds between 25 and 100 Mbps. Home 4G LTE internet plans generally offer faster speeds and more reliable connections. Mobile 4G hotspots often have slower speeds, depending on their location and carrier network.

The two biggest reasons to go with 4G LTE internet instead of satellite internet is to save money on the lower monthly cost (in most cases) and to avoid restrictive data caps. Most 4G plans offer unlimited data; those with data caps give you considerably more than satellite.

It might seem like a never-ending supply for customers switching over from satellite and suddenly having 30 times your usual monthly data allowance. Still, it’s surprisingly easy to burn through data if you’re watching a lot of video.

With any plan that offers unlimited data, it’s always important to read the fine print. Unlimited data usually means no restrictions on data at any point—no throttling, downgrading, or deprioritizing. Some 4G providers that advertise as technically unlimited will start restricting your connection speed after a certain amount of data use, with some even downgrading your connection to 3G.

We always prefer providers that are upfront with their data restrictions and won’t hit you with hidden fees or unexpected service interruptions. Truly unlimited data is still the safest bet. But if you have a good handle on your monthly data use, you can still get by on the amount of data most 4G providers offer.

Wireless 4G LTE home internet is prevalent in rural communities, but it's not available everywhere. Satellite internet is available anywhere in the U.S. and is sometimes the only way to get internet in the country's most remote areas.

A 4G LTE home internet plan from T-Mobile or Verizon is an excellent option for rural locations that can get cell service but can’t get a wired connection like cable. 4G LTE home internet provides a reliable connection without the harsh data limits and high cost of satellite internet.

Portable 4G internet is a good choice for people who want to ensure a good wireless internet connection for traveling or use between multiple homes. The prices for portable 4G internet are significantly higher than non-portable home internet options. Still, the portable services are another option for your home if Verizon and T-Mobile home internet aren’t available where you live.

For those who just have home internet but don’t have 4G LTE home internet service in their area, mobile hotspots can still be a more affordable alternative to satellite internet as long as you have a strong enough 4G signal at home.

• Best 5G Home Internet Providers
• How to Get Internet without a Phone Line
• Best Cheap Internet Plans and Providers for Rural Areas
• What Is Latency?
• Your Guide to Internet Data Caps: How to Stay Within Your Limits

Advertised internet speeds for 4G LTE internet are typically between 25 Mbps and 100 Mbps. You’re more likely to receive those faster speeds from home (non-portable) 4G internet providers like Verizon and T-Mobile, while portable 4G providers may struggle to meet the 25 Mbps threshold.

Home 4G LTE internet plans usually cost $40.00 to $60.00 per month. Mobile 4G hotspot plans cost $100.00 to $150.00 per month and often have larger upfront costs for equipment.

4G is the fourth generation of cellular technology. To advertise a network as 4G, it must meet certain technical requirements, including minimum standards for speed. Networks that use 4G technology but are still working toward meeting the speed requirements for 4G are labeled “4G LTE.”