Cricket 5G Home Internet
Cricket 5G Home Internet provides home broadband service over the AT&T 5G and LTE network instead of using a traditional cable, DSL, or fiber line. A Cricket Internet Gateway receives the wireless signal at your home and creates a Wi-Fi network for your phones, computers, TVs, gaming consoles, and other connected devices.
The service includes unlimited data, no annual contract, no credit check, and simple self-installation. Cricket currently advertises typical download speeds of 90–300 Mbps, making the service suitable for streaming, working from home, browsing, video calls, and many other everyday household activities.
Availability is address-specific. Even if Cricket or AT&T mobile service works in your neighborhood, Cricket 5G Home Internet may not necessarily be offered at your particular address.
Cricket 5G Home Internet Plans & Features
Cricket currently offers its home internet service either as a standalone product or at a discounted price for customers who also maintain an eligible Cricket phone plan.
Cricket 5G Home Internet Pricing
The regular monthly price for standalone Cricket 5G Home Internet is currently $65 per month.
Customers who enroll in Auto Pay can receive a $5 monthly credit beginning with the second service charge, bringing the effective standalone price to:
$60 per month with Auto Pay
Cricket wireless customers can receive a larger bundle discount. When Cricket 5G Home Internet is on the same account as an eligible Cricket phone plan, the internet service currently costs:
$45 per month with Auto Pay
The discounted $45 price requires at least one qualifying Cricket voice-and-data phone line on the same account, along with Auto Pay enrollment.
| Cricket Home Internet Option | Monthly Price | Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Standalone | $65/mo | No Auto Pay discount |
| Standalone + Auto Pay | $60/mo | Auto Pay; $5 credit starts with second service charge |
| Home Internet + Cricket Wireless | $45/mo | Eligible Cricket phone plan + Auto Pay |
Taxes are generally included in Cricket’s monthly home internet price. Other fees can apply in certain circumstances. Pricing, eligibility, and discounts are subject to change.
► Explore Cricket Wireless Plans
Cricket Internet Gateway
Cricket 5G Home Internet requires a Cricket Internet Gateway. The gateway currently costs $49.99 plus applicable sales tax.
The gateway serves two purposes:
- It connects wirelessly to Cricket’s fixed wireless network.
- It creates the Wi-Fi network used by devices throughout your home.
Unlike many traditional internet providers that rent a modem or router every month, Cricket currently sells the gateway to the customer rather than charging an ongoing equipment rental fee.
The gateway is designed specifically for Cricket Home Internet and is subject to Cricket’s applicable device and unlocking policies.
No Annual Contract
Cricket does not require an annual service agreement for 5G Home Internet.
Service operates on a prepaid basis for 30-day periods, which gives customers more flexibility than traditional broadband plans that require a one- or two-year commitment.
There is also no credit check required to establish service.
Unlimited Data
Cricket 5G Home Internet includes unlimited data, meaning there is no monthly data cap and no additional charge simply because your household exceeds a particular number of gigabytes.
However, unlimited data does not guarantee a particular speed at all times.
Cricket may temporarily reduce speeds when the network is busy. The company also states that in rare cases where a customer’s usage is contributing significantly to network congestion, speeds may be reduced to as low as approximately 512 Kbps for a minimum of 30 minutes.
For normal household usage, there are no traditional data-overage charges.
Taxes Included
Cricket includes applicable government taxes in the advertised monthly home internet price, which can make billing more predictable.
Cricket may still charge certain other fees, including a customer-assistance fee for some representative-assisted or automated-phone payments.
How Fast Is Cricket 5G Home Internet?
Cricket currently reports typical fixed wireless performance of:
- Download speeds: 90–300 Mbps
- Upload speeds: 8–30 Mbps
- Typical latency: approximately 30–65 ms
These are expected ranges, not guaranteed minimum or maximum speeds.
Actual performance depends on:
- Your service address
- Distance from the network site
- 5G or LTE signal strength
- Gateway placement
- Local network congestion
- Building materials
- The number of connected devices
- Wi-Fi conditions inside your home
For many households, speeds in this range are sufficient for several simultaneous activities such as HD or 4K streaming, video conferencing, browsing, online learning, music streaming, and general smart-home use.
How Cricket 5G Home Internet Works
Cricket 5G Home Internet uses a technology known as Fixed Wireless Access, or FWA.
Instead of running a physical cable or fiber-optic line directly from the provider to your home, fixed wireless works like this:
- A nearby AT&T wireless site transmits a 5G or LTE signal.
- The Cricket Internet Gateway receives that signal inside your home.
- The gateway converts the cellular connection into Wi-Fi.
- Your household devices connect to the gateway just like they would connect to a traditional Wi-Fi router.
The entire home shares the same Cricket internet connection through the gateway.
What Can You Do With Cricket Home Internet?
A typical 90–300 Mbps connection can support most everyday household activities.
Examples include:
- Streaming movies and television
- Working from home
- Video conferencing
- Online classes
- Web browsing
- Social media
- Downloading apps and files
- Cloud backups
- Smart home devices
- Online gaming
- Music streaming
The experience will depend on the number of simultaneous users and the actual speed available at your address.
A household receiving speeds near the upper end of Cricket’s typical range will naturally have more capacity for multiple simultaneous activities than one receiving service near the lower end.
How Many Devices Can Cricket Home Internet Support?
Cricket states that the Home Internet Gateway can typically support approximately 25–30 active connected devices at the same time.
Compatible devices can include:
- Smartphones
- Tablets
- Laptops
- Desktop computers
- Smart TVs
- Streaming devices
- Gaming consoles
- Security cameras
- Smart speakers
- Other Wi-Fi-enabled smart-home devices
The number of connected devices by itself does not determine performance. What those devices are doing matters more. Thirty idle smart-home products use far less bandwidth than several TVs simultaneously streaming 4K video.
Cricket Home Internet Setup
Cricket 5G Home Internet is designed for self-installation. There is normally no need to schedule a technician or have new wiring installed.
Cricket states that most customers can complete setup in less than 15 minutes.
The basic process is:
- Purchase Cricket 5G Home Internet and the required gateway.
- Place the gateway in a suitable location.
- Plug it into power.
- Use the myCricket Internet app to complete setup.
- Connect your devices to the new Wi-Fi network.
The gateway connects to the Cricket network automatically once the service has been properly established.
Where Should You Put the Gateway?
Gateway placement can make a noticeable difference in fixed wireless performance.
Cricket recommends placing the gateway:
- Near a window when possible
- In an open area
- On an elevated surface such as a shelf or table
- Away from enclosed cabinets
- Away from direct sunlight
The myCricket Internet app can help customers find a better location for the gateway.
Moving the gateway just a few feet can sometimes produce a stronger cellular signal or better Wi-Fi coverage inside the home.
Managing Your Wi-Fi Network
The myCricket Internet app is used for initial setup, checking gateway status, and troubleshooting the home internet connection.
Customers can also manage Wi-Fi network settings such as the network name and password through the gateway’s local management interface.
The regular myCricket app continues to handle account-related tasks such as billing and payments.
Cricket 5G Home Internet Availability
Cricket Home Internet is not available everywhere Cricket mobile service is available.
The service is sold only at addresses where Cricket determines the wireless network has enough capacity and signal quality to support fixed home internet.
You must therefore check your specific street address before ordering.
Availability can differ even between nearby houses. One address may qualify while another on the same street does not.
This is normal for fixed wireless service because network capacity and expected signal conditions are evaluated by location.
Can You Move Cricket Home Internet to Another Address?
Cricket 5G Home Internet is intended for use at the approved service address associated with your account.
If you move, you should not simply take the gateway to the new home and assume service will continue normally.
Instead:
- Check whether Cricket Home Internet is available at the new address.
- Contact Cricket if necessary to update the approved service location.
- Use the gateway at the new location only after eligibility is confirmed.
This location restriction distinguishes fixed wireless home internet from a normal mobile hotspot plan.
Cricket 5G Home Internet + Wireless Bundle
The strongest Cricket Home Internet price is currently available to customers who also have a Cricket wireless phone plan.
With any eligible Cricket voice-and-data phone plan and Auto Pay, Cricket currently reduces the Home Internet service price to $45 per month.
That can represent substantial savings compared with standalone service.
For example, a customer using the Sensible 10GB phone plan can currently combine it with discounted Home Internet for a total advertised service price of approximately $75 per month with applicable Auto Pay savings.
The phone and home internet services remain separate products, but both can be managed under the same Cricket account.
For Cricket phone options, see our Cricket Wireless Plans & Pricing guide.
Cricket Home Internet vs. Cable Internet
The main difference between Cricket Home Internet and traditional cable broadband is how the connection reaches your home.
Cable internet uses physical coaxial wiring. Cricket uses a wireless connection from the AT&T cellular network to the gateway.
| Feature | Cricket 5G Home Internet | Traditional Cable Internet |
|---|---|---|
| Connection | 5G/LTE fixed wireless | Physical coaxial cable |
| Installation | Self-installation | Self-install or technician, depending on provider |
| Typical Speed | 90–300 Mbps | Varies widely by plan/provider |
| Annual Contract | No | Depends on provider |
| Data | Unlimited | Depends on provider |
| Availability | Address-specific wireless capacity | Requires wired network availability |
Cable may provide faster maximum speeds in some areas, while Cricket can be simpler to install and may offer more predictable pricing.
Cricket Home Internet vs. Fiber Internet
Fiber-optic broadband generally offers faster maximum speeds, significantly faster uploads, and lower latency than fixed wireless service.
For customers who can get affordable symmetrical gigabit fiber, fiber will usually be the stronger choice for very heavy internet usage.
Cricket can still be attractive when:
- Fiber is not available
- You do not need gigabit speeds
- You want uncomplicated self-installation
- You already use Cricket Wireless and qualify for the bundle discount
- You want unlimited data without an annual contract
For more broadband options, visit our Internet Service Providers page.
Cricket Home Internet vs. Mobile Hotspot
Cricket 5G Home Internet should also not be confused with using your smartphone as a mobile hotspot.
A phone hotspot is designed primarily for temporary or portable connections. The amount of high-speed hotspot data is determined by your Cricket wireless plan.
Cricket Home Internet is a dedicated residential broadband product with:
- A dedicated home gateway
- Unlimited data
- Support for many household devices
- Wi-Fi coverage designed for the home
- A fixed approved service address
If you only need occasional laptop connectivity away from home, smartphone hotspot service may be enough. If you need broadband for an entire household, Home Internet is the more appropriate product.
Network Management & Congestion
Because Cricket Home Internet shares wireless network resources, speeds can change depending on local demand.
Cricket may temporarily slow Home Internet traffic when the network is congested. This means performance during busy evening hours could differ from performance early in the morning.
Cricket also states that in rare circumstances where a customer’s usage is significantly contributing to network congestion, the connection can be reduced to as low as 512 Kbps for at least 30 minutes.
There are no traditional data-overage charges, but customers who need guaranteed or highly consistent bandwidth should consider whether a wired fiber or business-class connection would better fit their needs.
Cricket Home Internet for Streaming
Cricket’s typical speeds should be capable of supporting common streaming services.
A 90 Mbps connection can generally provide enough capacity for several HD streams, while speeds closer to 300 Mbps can support more simultaneous streaming and other online activity.
Performance can still vary due to Wi-Fi conditions and the number of connected devices.
For the best streaming experience:
- Place the gateway in an open location
- Keep the streaming device within good Wi-Fi range
- Avoid placing the gateway inside cabinets
- Reduce unnecessary large downloads during important streams
Cricket Home Internet for Gaming
Cricket 5G Home Internet can work for online gaming, but gamers should pay attention to latency as well as download speed.
Cricket currently lists typical latency around 30–65 milliseconds. That is reasonable for many casual and mainstream online games, but competitive players may prefer fiber because it can offer lower and more consistent latency.
Wireless network conditions can also cause latency to fluctuate more than on a high-quality fiber connection.
Cricket Home Internet for Working From Home
The service can also be suitable for remote work involving:
- Video meetings
- Cloud applications
- Web-based productivity tools
- VPN connections
- File sharing
The advertised 8–30 Mbps upload range should be sufficient for typical video conferencing and office work, although users who routinely upload very large files may benefit more from fiber internet with symmetrical upload speeds.
Pros & Cons of Cricket 5G Home Internet
Pros
- Unlimited data
- No annual contract
- No credit check
- Typical download speeds of 90–300 Mbps
- Simple self-installation
- No technician appointment normally required
- Taxes generally included in monthly price
- Discounted pricing for Cricket Wireless customers
- Gateway supports approximately 25–30 active devices
Cons
- Availability is limited by address and network capacity
- Speeds can vary more than wired fiber service
- Upload speeds are considerably lower than many fiber plans
- Network congestion can temporarily reduce performance
- $49.99 gateway purchase required
- Gateway is intended for use only at the approved service address
- Only one Cricket Home Internet line is currently allowed per account and address
Who Should Consider Cricket 5G Home Internet?
Cricket Home Internet may be a particularly good fit for:
- Existing Cricket Wireless customers who can qualify for the $45 bundle price
- Households without affordable fiber service
- Customers who want unlimited data
- Renters who prefer simple self-installation
- People who want to avoid annual contracts
- Households with moderate streaming and work-from-home needs
- Customers who do not need gigabit-class broadband
It may be less suitable for very heavy upload users, competitive gamers seeking the lowest possible latency, or households that can get high-speed fiber for a similar monthly price.
Is Cricket 5G Home Internet Worth It?
Cricket 5G Home Internet offers a straightforward fixed wireless alternative to cable, DSL, and fiber. The service combines unlimited data, no annual contract, easy self-installation, and expected speeds that should meet the needs of many typical households.
The value is strongest for existing Cricket Wireless customers. The current $45 monthly Home Internet price with an eligible phone plan and Auto Pay is significantly lower than the standalone price and makes Cricket more competitive with other fixed wireless providers.
The main question is availability and performance at your specific address. Because the service depends on wireless network capacity, checking eligibility is essential before comparing it with wired broadband options.
If your address qualifies, compare Cricket’s expected speed range and monthly cost with cable, fiber, DSL, and other fixed wireless options available in your area.
Cricket 5G Home Internet
Get unlimited home internet over Cricket’s 5G network with no annual contract, easy self-setup, and typical speeds of 90–300 Mbps. Existing Cricket Wireless customers can qualify for additional savings.
Check Cricket Home Internet Availability
Cricket Home Internet availability, prices, Auto Pay credits, bundle discounts, gateway pricing, speeds, and terms are subject to change. Service is available only at eligible addresses. Actual performance varies based on signal strength, gateway placement, connected devices, network congestion, and other conditions. Check Cricket’s current terms and address eligibility before ordering.
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