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ZDNET's key takeaways
Cellular access is faster than Wi-Fi at most US airports.
A full 70% of US airport Wi-Fi networks still use Wi-Fi 5.
Run a speed test at your local airport to see which is faster.
Here's a common scenario for many travelers. You're at an airport waiting for your flight. You want to hop online with your mobile phone to stream a movie, play an online game, or download some apps. Your first instinct is to connect to the airport's Wi-Fi. But that may not be your best option. Have you ever tried your mobile carrier instead?
Also: Should you upgrade your Wi-Fi router to mesh? I tested it for a month, and here's my verdict
Yes, cellular could provide faster service compared with Wi-Fi, according to the latest data from Speedtest provider Ookla. To conduct its research, Ookla analyzed Speedtest user data for median download speeds at 50 of the top US airports for the first half of 2025. The testing compared Wi-Fi coverage against that of mobile carriers AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon.
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