Router Cellular Data Plans
Finding suitable cellular data plans to meet home and work needs is always a challenge. This becomes even more challenging for cellular embedded routers, like Peplink. Routers need cellular data plans designated specially for use in data only devices.
This article goes over the considerations for finding cellular plans for use on a Peplink or other cellular embedded routers like Insty Connect, MoFi, InvisiGig, Cradlepoint, GL.iNet, Winegard and more.
This guide covers our current top pick plans, using 3rd Party Reseller plans, using non-router plans and Peplink's own plans for their eSIM capable devices.
We also have a full guide going over our current top pick data plans that also includes mobile hotspot devices, smartphones and tablets:
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Peplink Cellular Data Plans Video
Cherie of MIRC and Erik of MobileMustHave.com joined up to present on finding cellular data plans for Peplink Routers in an exclusive member webinar. The first 20 minutes of the webinar archive are available to the public below (members, please be logged in to see the full content of this article, including the entire webinar archive at the end of this article).
Shopping For Router Cellular Plans - Carrier Direct
Cellular embedded routers at an prosumer caliber is only worthwhile if you can get data plans suitable for your needs. So carefully consider the current options out there before investing in expensive cellular routers.
Gear made by companies like Peplink/Pepwave, Cradlepoint, Insty Connect, GLi.Net, WiFiRanger, Winegard and more are considered routers, and thus to be legit with the carriers you need cellular data plans designated for data only devices.
Below are cellular data plans amongst our Top Pick Data Plans that are designated as for use in routers, which can help you narrow down the options. Click through to learn more about the details of each plan in our Gear Center.
We also have other plans in our Data Plan Gear Center (use the 'Routers' filter) and our Data Plan Pricing Grid (member exclusive) that are suitable for use in routers. These haven't made our top pick classification, but might be options to consider as well.
Activating Cellular Data Plans on Routers
If you go direct with the carriers, it's not uncommon for a router's modem to not be in their IMEI database for easy activation. You may encounter carrier reps who interpret this as your device not being compatible with their network - which is not true.
All of Peplink's modems are unlocked, carrier certified and support all carriers. Other manufacturers may or may not have gone through the process of being fully carrier certified. But they should work with any cellular data plan SIM card authorized for used in routers, or not otherwise tied to a specific device.
To activate a plan directly you may need to find a carrier representative who knows how to activate on a device not in their database. Some stores have an internal IMEI they can use, or are willing to use a store display hotspot unit to activate on.
And worst case, if you a select a cellular data plan that is not locked to a specific device or device type - you can always purchase a hotspot and swap the SIM to your router. You can then return the hotspot (minus a restocking fee) or keep the hotspot as a back-up option. Having a back-up hotspot can be handy in the unlikely scenario your router has an issue, or if you want a mobile internet option away from your RV/boat to pop your SIM into.
We have notes in our top data plan pick overview pages with tips for many plans and using them in routers.
Tip: Receiving SMS/TXT Messages on a Peplink Router
Some cellular data only plans require the carrier sending you a TXT/SMS to activate the plan or online account to manage it. Peplink routers are actually able to receive SMS messages, and they can be accessed via the dashboard under Advanced -> SIM Tools. Other devices may have this feature as well.
Legacy Cellular Data Plans for use in Routers
Over the years we have tracked many awesome cellular data plans that are no longer available, but have been grandfathered in. If you're fortunate enough to have one of these, here's a list of those that are known to be usable in a Peplink or other router:
- Verizon gUDP - Postpaid unlimited smartphone plan that retired in 2011 that works in hotspots and routers. This plan does work in a Peplink and other routers, but you will get a message from Verizon about a new device (just ignore it). Check the linked guide for care and feeding of this plan.
- Verizon pUDP - A prepaid unlimited Jetpack plan that came out in 2018 and retired in mid-2019. It works in all Verizon compatible data devices, including a Peplink router.
- AT&T Connected Car "Mobley" - A postpaid plan for connected car devices that was unlimited for just $20/mo. Swapping the SIM from the Mobley device into a hotspot or router just works, even though there's no official stance on this. These plans however are provisioned only for AT&T's LTE network, no 5G coverage is included.
- AT&T Unlimited Plus LTE/Hotspots - Available for a short time in 2017-2018 these unlimited hotspot lines could be added on to smartphone lines. The SIMs work in all AT&T compatible data devices, but are also not provisioned for 5G at this time.
- T-Mobile Mobile Internet 100GB - From when the plan launched in December 2020 until about mid-2021, the 100GB version of this plan was SIM swappable into any T-Mobile compatible hotspot or router. Plans purchased after this are locked to a 5G T-Mobile branded hotspot device.
Using Non-Router WAN Sources
A Peplink and other routers typically have the ability to bring in multiple internet sources - so be sure to think outside the modem embedded in your router.
Your router might also be able to use an Ethernet WAN source (such as to Starlink or a cellular internet source with Ethernet out), USB tethering to a hotspot or phone or connecting over Wi-Fi to another source.
All of these give you the ability to use data plans designated for hotspots, smartphones, home internet gateways and tablets with your router.
For more on using Peplink's Multi-WAN features:
Peplink & Multi-WAN: Using Multiple Internet Sources – Cellular, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Starlink
3rd Party Resellers / Vendors Warning
Using a 3rd Party Reseller data plan is sometimes the only way to get high amounts of data - so they are a tempting option. Usually the primary risk is that the plan can be shut down or changed with little to no notice.
However, we have been tracking some reports of the carriers getting more aggressive when shutting down 3rd party resellers - especially those sold without authorization.
In particular, in 2022 AT&T shut down several reseller accounts - and blacklisted the modems using these plans. That meant the modem could no longer be activated on that network - even when using legit plans.
In the case of high end routers like Peplink, having a modem blacklisted is a major investment that can turn a device into a paperweight.
While we haven't seen this sort of aggressive action being taken often, it is definitely a consideration when using any non-direct carrier plan with a high priced router. With AT&T in particular getting more aggressive with this, it might be wise to be extra caution using 3rd Party AT&T based plans.
Our Education & Action Partner, MobileMustHave.com, does offer data plans to their customers who have purchased devices from them. While all resellers have risks as they are not the carrier themselves - and the carrier can change things - we feel that MobileMustHave has gone to great lengths to provide a lower risk threshold than some other resellers out there. And at the very least, they go out of their way to help their customers have a less frustrating experience when things out of their control happen. But that in no way implies that their plans aren't subject to all of the risks of reseller plans - including blacklisted devices.
Member Exclusive Content Below
We hope you have found the above content useful - it's a free preview of the sort of content we create for our premium members.
If you're one of our members, please do log in to continue with this resource article. The further topics we explore include:
Complete Webinar Archive
Deeper Dive into Third Party Plans
Using Non-Router Cellular Data Plans
Peplinks’s eSIM Celluar Data Plans
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