T-Mobile is set to roll out a new upgrade for its home internet service, promising improved 5G performance. However, this new offering may not be beneficial for everyone, as it omits a feature that many users valued. Currently, T-Mobile relies on the Arcadyan G4AR gateway for its home internet, which has gained popularity due to its external antenna ports. These ports allowed users, especially those in rural areas, to enhance their signal strength.
The upcoming replacement, the G5AR gateway, is expected to provide significantly faster speeds—potentially doubling the performance of its predecessor in ideal conditions. It will also offer lower latency and improved reliability for activities like gaming, streaming, and video calls. The specifications of the G5AR reveal enhancements such as better beamforming capabilities, ensuring a more reliable signal in congested areas. Additionally, it introduces faster upload speeds using new technologies, improved carrier aggregation for better connection handling, and innovative power-saving features to extend the battery life of connected devices.
It will also be equipped with support for WiFi 7, enabling multi-gigabit wireless speeds. However, a notable drawback is the elimination of external antenna ports in the new model. T-Mobile plans to exclusively offer the G5AR gateway through its Amplified plan, which may leave users on the All-In plan without this upgraded gateway for the time being. Speculations suggest this could be due to compatibility issues with mesh WiFi systems that the All-In plan currently utilizes.
As T-Mobile prepares this launch, customers may want to weigh the benefits of the new technology against the potential loss of features that have previously enhanced their home internet experience.