T-Mobile will pay for your first month of 5G home internet, and give you up to $200 back - here's how

T-Mobile / Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET

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In 2026, a fast home internet connection is a must-have, but the monthly bill doesn't have to hurt. Right now, new T-Mobile 5G Home Internet customers can get their first month on T-Mobile via bill credit (plus tax), along with up to $200 back via a virtual prepaid Mastercard, for a limited time.

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This offer applies to all three of T-Mobile's home internet plans, which start at $50 per month with AutoPay, so you don't have to spring for the top-tier All-In plan to get paid. If you go with the entry-level Rely plan or the mid-tier Amplified plan, you'll qualify for $100 back, while going for the All-In plan will get you $200.

In addition to the prepaid card bonus, the All-In plan also includes Hulu (with ads) and a Paramount+ Essential subscription, so you should consider this plan if you're already paying for those separately and want to maximize your savings. The perks only stick around while your internet line stays active and in good standing, though, so falling behind on payments puts them back on your dime.

Since 5G home internet performance depends a lot on your address, T-Mobile also gives you a 15-day test drive. That means you can see how well the service works at your place and get your money back if you're not happy. The offer requires a new internet line rather than a brand-new T-Mobile account, so if you already have a T-Mobile phone plan, you can still get in on it, and pricing drops by another $15 per month with a voice line on your account. There's no annual contract or monthly equipment fee either, though you'll need to return the gateway undamaged when you're done or pay up to $370.

To get your prepaid Mastercard, you'll have to sign up online at T-Mobile.com or through the T-Life app and enter the code MONTHONUS at checkout, which covers the first-month bill credit. Once you're set up, you'll need to register at promotions.t-mobile.com within 30 days of activation. Your card should arrive within 7 weeks of the rebate submission, and it will expire 6 months after that. Keep in mind that in-store activations don't qualify for this offer.

A screenshot of the T-Mobile 5G Home Internet plans.

T-Mobile/ZDNET

Note: A $35 device connection charge is due at sale, credit approval is required, and the AutoPay pricing requires a bank account or debit card; otherwise plans run $10 more per month. Since the service runs on T-Mobile's 5G network, speeds and availability vary by area, and speeds may slow during busy hours or after 1.2TB of monthly use. You should check coverage at your address via the T-Mobile 5G Home Internet website before you commit to a plan.

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How I rated this deal

I've done quite a bit of home internet coverage over the years, and I can say that a covered first month plus up to $200 back is one of the stronger welcome offers I've seen from an internet provider. On the All-In plan, that works out to around $270 in value against your first year of service. The catch here is that the full $200 requires the priciest All-In plan, and the rebate takes a few steps and up to 7 weeks to land, which is expected from a prepaid card offer but still a bit of a wait. Gift card offers of a similar size do pop up at other big home internet providers, but adding the covered first month makes this one competitive. That's why I gave this deal a 4/5 Editor's deal rating.