Our database contains cell coverage information for AT&T, USCellular, T-Mobile, and Verizon.

Results show indoor and outdoor coverage for 5G data for every zip code in the USA for each carrier.

5G has started to roll out in many locations across the United States. It's the next generation of mobile networking and offers faster speeds than any of the previous generations. The improved wireless technology brings you faster downloads and less lag, so you can rely on the network to provide you with a robust connection. Connecting to WiFi is often the best option when you want to get online but when WiFi is slow or unavailable, you need a good alternative. 5G promises to be even better than 4G or other previous versions of the wireless technology available on mobile devices.

If you're thinking of getting a new phone, you might be wondering whether you should be looking for a phone compatible with 5G, as well as which network is best. With 5G, you should be able to stream video and audio and download large files, without too much trouble. Internet calls are becoming more popular too, including both voice and video, and these are both possible using 5G too. Even when you're sharing the network with a lot of other people in your vicinity, it should work well. If any of this sounds like something that you want to be able to do, 5G could be for you.

Should You Get 5G?

5G could be a good option for just about anyone, but you'll need to think about it before you decide if it's the right choice for you. Some people might find that it benefits them greatly, while others don't have much use for it. Another thing to keep in mind is that 5G is still being rolled out across the country. So, while you might be interested in 5G, it could be better to wait a little longer if you want to benefit from it fully. 5G's fast speeds are extremely beneficial though, whether you want to stream your favorite show, play games, or join a video conference.

There are some signs that 5G could definitely be the right choice for you. If you're a heavy user of your phone or other mobile devices and find you often run out of data, 5G could help you. It's also a good choice if you often find yourself without a WiFi connection and struggling to do what you want using only 4G or other previous generations of wireless technology. As for when you should get 5G, it's a good idea to wait until you need a new phone because you'll need one that's compatible with 5G.

Where Is 5G Available?

One of the biggest things you need to consider if you're thinking about getting a 5G phone and phone plan is whether you can actually access 5G. 5G needs to be rolled out in your area for you to use it. As well as checking that you can get it at home, you might need to consider whether it's available in the places that you visit frequently, whether for work or fun.

Whether 5G is available in your city depends on which networks have rolled it out and where they have installed 5G so far. Providers such as Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile are working on bringing 5G to people around the US, but they haven't all expanded as far as each other. They also don't all offer the same standard of coverage. For example, Verizon is already offering high-speed 5G in over 70 cities, while AT&T is offering fast 5G in 38 cities (as of April 2021).

The best thing to do is check with different networks to see where they are providing 5G and the speeds that they are offering. Low-band 5G service is available in many more cities than faster 5G, so it's also important to check just how fast the speeds are (especially compared to 4G LTE) and when faster speeds will be available.

Which 5G Network Should You Choose for Better Coverage?

There are a couple of things to consider if you want to know which network in the US has the best 5G coverage. Firstly, there's the coverage of basic 5G technology, which offers less impressive coverage. Then there's the rollout of faster 5G speeds that provide better coverage. For example, AT&T has low-band 5G service in 14,000 cities across the country so far, but only has their faster 5G Plus in 38 cities.

At the moment, T-Mobile is your best choice for 5G coverage. 287 million people are covered by their Extended Range 5G. If you live in an urban or suburban area anywhere in the country, there's a good chance you can get 5G coverage from T-Mobile. The best way to find out if 5G is available from T-Mobile in your area is to use their tool to see if 5G is on the map for your region.

In comparison, Verizon's low-speed 5G is available for around 230 million people, and their high-speed service can be found in more than 70 cities. Check their coverage map to find out more.

5G Abroad

For people who sometimes travel out of the country, whether it's to Canada or China, you might also be wondering if you can get 5G coverage abroad. Other countries are rolling out 5G too, so 5G is available in many other places. However, whether your phone works with networks abroad is something to take into account. If your phone only works with one specific network, you may be unable to use it for 5G abroad. Whether your network offers roaming is important too. Currently, AT&T offers roaming with 5G but other networks don't. However, you might be able to use roaming with other wireless technologies such as 4G.

Which Network Offers the Best 5G Speeds?

5G is faster than previous wireless technology, but that doesn't mean you can benefit from the same speeds from all networks. Different networks offer different experiences, so it's definitely smart to check up on possible speeds before you decide which network is right for you. It's also a good idea to keep in mind that you might see both the highest possible speeds and average speeds. While some networks might offer higher potential speeds, it doesn't mean their average speeds are necessarily higher.

According to OpenSignal, Verizon is the top choice for 5G speeds. They say that Verizon can offer average download speeds of over 560mbps (megabits per second), making it the fastest option of 10 that they looked at from around the world. Other US networks are toward the bottom of the list, with Sprint offering average speeds of 114.2mpbs, AT&T providing 62.7mpbs on average, and T-Mobile delivering 47mbps. For all networks, these are faster speeds than 4G.

When you compare speed and availability, you'll see that although T-Mobile and AT&T have lower speeds, they are able to offer a wider reach.

What's the Cheapest 5G Network in the US?

In addition to speed and availability, price is a key factor to take into account when you're comparing 5G deals. You'll want to look at how much mobile data the plan includes, as it could be unlimited or there may be a data cap. It's also important to look at what else you get with the plan and what restrictions you might need to consider.

AT&T has three options for 5G plans. The cheapest is the Unlimited Starter plan at $65 per month for one line or $45 per line for three lines. As well as unlimited data, you also get unlimited talk and text with this plan. T-Mobile is a little cheaper, with their least expensive Essentials plan at $60 per month (or $30 per line for multiple lines). Verizon is the most expensive of the major suppliers, starting from $70 per month for their Start Unlimited plan.

Which Networks Offer 5G?

When it comes to the networks that provide 5G right now, you have a number of options. There are the three main networks, as well as MVNOs (mobile virtual network operators), which use the infrastructure of the main networks to provide their services.

Your three main options for 5G are:

In addition, there's also US Cellular.

If you want to consider an MVNO, which could help you to get cheaper prices, you can consider:

The Best USA 5G Networks Compared

Taking a closer look at each of the available 5G network providers can make it easier to choose which one is right for you. Let's take a look at the key players first before looking at the networks that resell their services.

AT&T

AT&T is the largest telecommunications company in the world and the second-largest provider of mobile phone services. Because it's such a big name, you might automatically consider it above other providers. AT&T might offer you the best balance between coverage and speed for 5G, and its prices aren't the most expensive either. The network offers fairly good 5G coverage and it beats out T-Mobile for average speeds too.

AT&T is also growing its 5G offering quickly. They have a good 4G LTE network too, enabling you to still benefit from fast speeds on your 5G phone if you're not able to connect to 5G.

T-Mobile

T-Mobile offers excellent 5G coverage, as well as good prices, although their average speeds are slower. The provider Sprint has also recently become part of T-Mobile. T-Mobile provides 5G access at no extra cost as part of all of their plans and also offers extras such as Netflix subscriptions, special offers on T-Mobile Tuesdays, international texting, and unlimited talk, text, and data in Mexico and Canada.

You can choose add-ons such as Netflix multi-screen upgrades, extra mobile hotspot data, and HD streaming. The wide coverage offered by T-Mobile makes it a great choice and they're continuing to improve their 5G network too.

Verizon

Verizon is the major provider that offers the fastest average speeds. So if speed is what you're looking for, it could be the right choice for you. However, there is a catch. The provider also doesn't offer coverage that's as extensive as other options. If you're in one of the areas where they're offering their fast 5G, you're in luck and can benefit from their high speeds. However, if they haven't yet rolled out their fast 5G in your area, you might want to wait before getting a 5G plan with Verizon.

You can get 5G on all of their plans, but they only offer the faster 5G Ultra Wideband from the second cheapest plan. Other perks include 4G LTE data, various streaming services such as Disney+, Hulu, and Discovery, and unlimited mobile hotspot data.

Cricket

Cricket uses the AT&T network, making their 5G coverage the same. They're also slightly cheaper than AT&T, with their single-line plan with 5G data costing $60 per month. However, only one of their plans offers 5G, while the others only offer up to 4G LTE. Some of the benefits of their 5G plans include 150GB of cloud storage, 15GB of mobile hotspot data, and HD voice and WiFi calling.

Metro by T-Mobile

Metro by T-Mobile is a prepaid option that offers 5G on its plans. With plans starting from $40 per month, it could be a cheaper option, especially as you can save money on additional lines. They offer extras such as Google One membership, Amazon Prime membership, and hotspot data. You get access to the T-Mobile 5G network with no extra costs.

Mint Mobile

Mint Mobile also uses the T-Mobile network. They're focused on how much data you get each month, with unlimited talk and text available for all plans. The cheapest plan offers 4GB of data, while the most expensive offers unlimited data. All plans have 5G and 4G LTE access, depending on which is strongest. In terms of price, their plans usually start at $75 per month, although you might be able to grab a good deal for the first few months. You can also renew your plan after the first three months to keep saving money. WiFi calling and text offer a great perk too.

Simple Mobile

If you're looking for a no-contract cell phone plan, you might use Simple Mobile. They also use the T-Mobile infrastructure to provide their services, so they offer 5G at no extra cost. Their plans start at $25 per month for a single line, but you'll have to pay $50 per month if you want unlimited high-speed data. Their add-ons include extra high-speed data and international calling.

Straight Talk

Straight Talk offers no-contract plans using the T-Mobile network. Their plans start from $30 for one line, but that only offers 100MB of data. If you want unlimited data, you can get the first 25GB per month at high speeds for $44, or you can have unlimited high speeds for $55. You can add extras like international calls and data upgrades to your 30-day plan.

Which Phones Are 5G Compatible

Once you've chosen a provider that offers 5G, you need a phone that's capable of using 5G. That's why it makes sense to switch your plan when you're looking for a new phone or if you already have a 5G-compatible phone.

Some phones can be used with 5G on all networks. However, others can only be used on some networks, so it's important to check before you buy.

Here are some of your options for phones that are compatible with 5G:

Remember to check which phones are compatible with your preferred network before you choose one. While many phones work with all 5G bands, not all of them do. Consider whether you might switch networks in the future too. You could be stuck with one you're not happy with if your phone isn't compatible with others. More phones will be compatible with 5G as the technology continues to roll out, and 5G phones will probably get cheaper too.

Will You Pay More for 5G Compared to 4G?

5G might be a more sophisticated technology, but you don't necessarily have to pay more for it. T-Mobile promises to provide 5G to their customers at no extra cost, and AT&T and Verizon also include 5G in all their plans. However, you can end up paying more if you want faster 5G or you want more data. For example, Verizon offers their faster 5G Ultra Wideband only from their second most expensive plan. You might also find that with some providers, you get a limited amount of 5G data on some plans, then data at lower speeds once it's gone.

It's worth keeping in mind that 5G could become more affordable too. As 5G becomes more widely available, you won't have to pay more for faster speeds. Additionally, phones that are compatible with 5G will also become more widely available and affordable. Eventually, pretty much all phones are likely to be compatible with 5G and it doesn't take long before new phones have gone down in price as yet more new phones are released.

There are lots of options to choose from too. In addition to the big three network providers, you can explore your other options. You might find that the idea of a no-contract plan works for you, giving you the flexibility to change your plan or switch providers more easily if you're not happy with the service. Finding a phone and a plan that suits your budget could be easier than you think.

Making the Switch to 5G

If you're ready to make the switch to 5G so that you can benefit from faster connection and download speeds, there are a few steps that you should take. The first thing that you should investigate is coverage. You should take a look at the coverage maps for different providers and work out if 5G is available in your area. Remember to check not just if you can get 5G, but also what type of 5G it is and what sort of speeds you can expect. It's great to be able to use 5G in principle, but it won't be very useful if you can never connect to 5G or if speeds are always slower than you had hoped.

Next, take a look at the plans that are offered by the providers you're interested in. This will help you to determine what features and perks you can get, as well as how much it's going to cost you. If you're already a customer of the network that you want to use, take a look at the deals that they have on plans and phones. They might have deals on trade-ins and other options to help you save money. You need both a 5G phone and a 5G SIM card, so the next thing to do is find a phone that you like. The phone needs to be compatible with the type of 5G offered by your provider. It's easier to find the right one if you look at the phones being sold as 5G phones from the provider. However, if you want to buy your phone from elsewhere, you could shop around and save some money.

Fast 5G makes it possible to do much more on your phone. But before making the switch, do a little research and compare plans to find the right one.

What these results mean

These results show what the cell signal for each network should be in the postcode you've searched for.

We are confident that these results will be accurate, however sometimes signal conditions may vary slightly within a zip code.

Cell phone signal levels can be affected by a number of different things:

Your location - the further away you are from a cell phone tower the weaker your signal will be, as the signal gets weaker this affects the signal quality which will reduce your data download speeds.

Your local environment - hills, buildings, being in a basement or underground will all affect your cell signal.

Travelling - if you are in a car or train and moving fast you may find your signal will be affected as you move from strong signal areas to weak or no signal areas.

Your phone - some models of phones are just better at getting a signal than others, a phone with low battery can also affect the way your phone works depending on the model.

The Weather - believe it or not even the weather can interfere with your cell signal, heavy rain and snow can degrade the signal temporarily.

Before choosing a cell phone network always check their own coverage checkers:

AT&T Coverage Checker

T-Mobile Coverage Checker

U.S. Cellular Coverage Checker

Verizon Coverage Checker