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AT&T’s Cricket Wireless launched a 5G home internet service on September 16, 2026, offering fixed wireless broadband at $65/month for new customers. The service, which competes with T-Mobile and Verizon’s broadband offerings, comes as both carriers added 520,000 and 348,000 broadband customers respectively in Q2 2026. The move intensifies competition in the U.S. broadband market, where consumers increasingly favor lower-priced, no-contract alternatives.

Cricket Wireless, owned by AT&T, entered the broadband market with its 5G home internet service, which provides download speeds of 90-300 Mbps, upload speeds of 8-30 Mbps, and latency of 30-65 ms. The service simplifies connectivity with no annual contracts and includes plan taxes in the monthly price. Existing Cricket Wireless customers can add the service for $45/month, while new customers pay $65/month or $75/month when bundled with wireless service.

Analysts note the shift toward fixed wireless broadband is reshaping the U.S. market, with consumers increasingly seeking affordable, no-contract plans. Jeff Moore of Wave7 Research highlighted that "increased competition from carriers and alternative providers is giving consumers more choices, wider availability, and lower prices." This trend follows T-Mobile’s Fiber 300 Mbps plan at $45/month and Verizon’s $70/month Verizon One plan, which combines mobile and home internet service.

The new entrant pressures T-Mobile and Verizon to maintain their market share amid rising consumer dissatisfaction with internet pricing. A PC Mag survey found 47% of U.S. consumers saw monthly bill increases of $16.58 over the past year, with 36% considering switching providers. Cricket’s entry adds to a broader push by AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile to revamp broadband offerings, reflecting growing demand for simplified, cost-effective solutions.

Cricket’s 5G home internet service launched on September 16, 2026, joining AT&T’s One Connect plan ($90/month) and Verizon’s Verizon One plan ($70/month). T-Mobile’s Fiber 300 Mbps plan starts at $45/month, while its Fiber 1 Gig plan is priced at $60/month. These developments underscore the ongoing shift toward affordable, no-contract broadband options.

Cricket Wireless’ 5G home internet service introduces new competition in the U.S. broadband market, forcing T-Mobile and Verizon to refine their pricing and service models. While the trend toward fixed wireless and no-contract plans may improve consumer choices, the long-term market dominance of any single provider remains uncertain.

Topics: Broadband Competition, Fixed Wireless Internet, U.S. Telecommunications, AT&T Cricket Wireless, T-Mobile Broadband, Verizon Internet, No Contract Plans, Internet Pricing Trends

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Source: Yahoo Finance