Cheap $20 a month Stand Alone Unlimited Rural Internet through AT&T Wireless

[mike0000]

I dont know how good your signals are, but with the M1 connected via ethernet to a wireless access point (Netgear EX7000), I consistently get 120+mbps speed, upto ~200mbps. Faster and cheaper than cable. Don't use the built-in wireless on the M1 unless you must, as its weak and limited to about 40mbps.

Also, use a good quality QC 3.0 wall charger and USB-C cable to power the thing constantly. It'll provide better and cleaner power for more consistent connections and speed.

Thank you

 

[kcflhrc]

I moved my SIM from the Mobley to a Netgear LB1120 And then put a Netgear Night Hawk with external antennas behind that modem. The M1 will not give you as good as wifi coverage than a device with external antennas will. But either is a good alternative. You can put any kind of wireless router behind the LB1120 which is a great benefit if you have a large area to cover with wifi, even a good Mesh System will work and give you fantastic coverage. Hell my Chicken's even have wifi it works so well

 

[the old grind]

The RV folks have been on top of this for a few years with the Mobley and SIMs. Firmware updates beyond a certain version will force-reset any SIM card inserted to the default PUK. Multiple failed attempts to activate one in another device can lock out a SIM permanently so I'd advise searching for the latest info.

AT&T may no longer be anxious/willing to share PUKs (two levels, btw) due to huge home data vs vehicle use as originally intended. Timeouts are also forced with firmware updates. Newer plans/devices are intended to limit such 'abuse'.

Be wise not to interrupt your account if looking to expand/upgrade and it's possible. Once closed there may be no option but to start over with Spark program. Still cheap but timeouts are one thing that can't be disabled with the newer plans and rates are higher, ~$10/mo or so. Tread with caution.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

Took me a couple tries but I finally got the PUK codes for mine, and been running in a netgear ever since.

 

[TractorGuy]

This is the ZTE Velocity unit I switched to. Super easy SIM install and setup. Has it's own rechargeable battery so you can take it anywhere and have wi-fi.

At home I run a AR-GL300 EXT travel router behind it and connect everything on my home network to the router. The ZTE Velocity only sees the one connection from the router. I added longer antennas to the router but I'm not sure they help. I have one wi-fi camera set out almost 500 feet from the house that connects to it. I have 4 other cameras ranging from 50 feet to 300 feet from the router I can connect to and view over the network.

Used working units start around $35 on eBay. Careful not to buy one that says for parts only.

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Mine has been running non stop for over 3 years but I just ordered another for backup.

 

[BigBlue1]

I moved my SIM from the Mobley to a Netgear LB1120 And then put a Netgear Night Hawk with external antennas behind that modem. The M1 will not give you as good as wifi coverage than a device with external antennas will. But either is a good alternative. You can put any kind of wireless router behind the LB1120 which is a great benefit if you have a large area to cover with wifi, even a good Mesh System will work and give you fantastic coverage. Hell my Chicken's even have wifi it works so well

Good advice. The built-in wifi in the M1 is really geared towards the "mobile hotspot sitting next to the laptop" scenario. Definitely not a full home wifi situation.

Rob

 

[BigBlue1]

The RV folks have been on top of this for a few years with the Mobley and SIMs. Firmware updates beyond a certain version will force-reset any SIM card inserted to the default PUK. Multiple failed attempts to activate one in another device can lock out a SIM permanently so I'd advise searching for the latest info.

AT&T may no longer be anxious/willing to share PUKs (two levels, btw) due to huge home data vs vehicle use as originally intended. Timeouts are also forced with firmware updates. Newer plans/devices are intended to limit such 'abuse'.

Be wise not to interrupt your account if looking to expand/upgrade and it's possible. Once closed there may be no option but to start over with Spark program. Still cheap but timeouts are one thing that can't be disabled with the newer plans and rates are higher, ~$10/mo or so. Tread with caution.

That's been the talk since forever (about AT&T cracking down), but other than a lot of people speculating and worrying about it I have never heard of anything coming from it. At this point, 4-5 years since the $20 Mobley plan was first offered, I think it is such a miniscule thing to AT&T that they have zero care about it. They may discontinue it just because it is an old plan and very lightly used (compared to any mobile phone plans volumes) but I'd bet money they will never 'crack down' due to usage.

Good advice about not changing your cell plan if you have the $20 Mobley plan on it though. That would be the major risk. It is what has kept me from changing to another phone plan these past 4 years.

Rob

 

[mike0000]

I sure appreciate all the recommendation, we have been using a GL iNet 300M Mini Smart Router with the Mobley. It works ok but distance isn’t so good, it does allow us more than the 5 connects through the Mobley. May decide to upgrade that too.

Mike

 

[Midniteoyl]

Good advice about not changing your cell plan if you have the $20 Mobley plan on it though. That would be the major risk. It is what has kept me from changing to another phone plan these past 4 years.

Rob

I switch from the old Family Share plan to the Unlimited Starter with phone upgrade in a ATT Store and they made sure the Mobley plan remained untouched. Been about a year now and all's still good. Make sure its a real ATT store and not one of the 'authorized' ones that look the same.

 

[the old grind]

Indeed an AT&T 'company store' vs an affiliate is the way to go for anything, if one can. Going to even that a few yrs ago to set up my plan the employees didn't know what I was asking for at first. One guy got through it all and was explaining it to others by the time I left.

btw, if I'm not mistaken a router can be assigned as just one of the five devices connected and what-have-you connected to that. I don't use a router or better antenna with the Mobley so can't confirm the possibility. I DO like taking my own i'net along vs logging into public access when on the road or on a job. I'm keeping it simple vs making waves to get more data/usage. 5 Mb down & 1.5 Mb up isn't much but it's enough for my use, .. one device at a time.