5G Fixed Wireless vs LEO vs Cable Home Internet Performance 

September 1, 2023

At long last, the previously limited menu of internet connection options for the home is expanding to include 5G fixed wireless and low earth orbit (LEO) satellite services. To help households make informed decisions about which available connection option is best for them, NetForecast tested and compared performance across a representative collection of fixed wireless, LEO satellite, and cable network providers.

Fifty-five participants in 29 states hosted NetForecast QMap® test probes to measure the performance of two fixed wireless internet services, one LEO satellite internet service, and two cable internet services from December 2022 through May 2023.

NetForecast measured latency, effective bandwidth, and packet loss. With 10 or more probes per service provider testing around the clock, we completed more than six million latency tests and nearly a half million effective bandwidth tests during the test period. This report summarizes the results. The chart below some latency results.