AT&T postpaid offers data & voice plans to pair with their Wireless Internet Device.
Dubbed AWI (AT&T Wireless Internet), the plans and device are available for both consumers and businesses.
This pairing is available as a standalone plan on AT&T - you don't need to have additional AT&T based plans.
These plans appeal to some nomads thanks to decently large data buckets.
AT&T Wireless Internet Router
The AT&T Wireless Internet Router is the official companion device for AT&T Wireless Internet plans. This device uses a cellular signal to provide a local Wi-Fi hotspot. In addition, the device acts as a standard phone jack to provide "landline" style phone service over cellular.
The current AWI router model available from AT&T is the NetComm IFWA-40, which was introduced in Spring 2019. This model is very similar to the ZTE MF279 model that was introduced in November 2017, and that replaced the original device which was called the "Home Base" cellular router - the ZTE Z700A (read our review).
The two newer models are slightly larger than the original device, and they both offer two SMA antenna ports, which the original Home Base model did not.
The device can only be activated on AT&T Wireless Internet (AWI) plans.
Data Plans & Product Variations
AWI Plans
AT&T offers Wireless Internet plans that include large data buckets and a hard-wired phone line. Voice is part of these plans - and cannot be separated from the plans.
The data plans offered are only available for AT&T Wireless Internet devices as designated by AT&T and cannot be used on other types of devices. They are available for both consumers and businesses.
Currently Available Plans
- 50GB for $40/month (+$20/voice) =$60+ taxes
- 100GB for $80/month (+$20/voice) =$100+ taxes **TOP PICK**
Plan Specifications
- Carrier Networks Used: AT&T
- Carrier Relationship: Direct
- Plan Types Available: Data & Voice, Business Data & Voice
- Device Types Permitted: AT&T Wireless Internet (AWI) device only
- Unlimited: No
- High Speed Mobile Hotspot Use: All
- Throttling:
- 50GB/100GB plans and Rural Plans: No
- 50GB/100GB plans and Rural Plans: No
- Network Management:
- (Retired) Rural plans are always subject to Network Management. Being designed for 'rural users' it is expected the towers used won't be overloaded. So, you're stuck being network managed.
- Current Wireless Internet (50GB/100GB) may or may not be subject to Network Management. There is no language re: this practice on the Wireless Internet FAQ/TOS pages, and the reps we have talked to believe that the plans may not be subject to Network Management since there is no wording to designate such.
- Video Streaming Resolution: 480p
- 5G Access: No
- Device Purchase Required: No - but must have specific Wireless Internet Router
- Plan Period: Month
- International Roaming: No
- Domestic Roaming: 400MB/month
- Data Roll Over: None
- Overage Charges:
- For the 50/100GB Wireless Internet plans, if you exceed your data cap, overages are charged at $25 for 10GB, or you can elect to be automatically throttled to 128 kbps to avoid overages.
- For the (retired) 250GB/500GB Rural Wireless Internet plans, if you exceed your data cap, overages are charged at $10/10GB.
- Lines permitted per account:
- Extras:
NetComm IFWA-40
The current model available for purchase from AT&T is the NetComm IFWA-40.
Specification
- Model: NetComm IFWA-40
- # of Connected Devices: Up to 20 via Wi-Fi network (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz), 40 total, and (1) via Ethernet
- Control Panel and Default Password:
Control Panel: http://att.wirelessinternet/ or http://192.168.0.1/
Default Password: “attadmin” - USB Tethering Support: N/A
- Supported Networks and Bands:
4G/LTE Bands 2, 4, 5, 12, 29, 30, and 66
3G: UMTS/HSPA+: 850/1900MHz - LTE-Advanced Carrier Aggregation: Details Unknown
- MIMO Support: 2x2
- LTE Performance Category: Category 16 (?)
(Max Theoretical Speed: Unknown since it's unclear if all the modems features are active in these units) - Cellular Antenna Ports: 2 x SMA
- Other Ports: 1x Gigabit Ethernet (1000Mbps), 1x Analog Phone Jack
- Wi-Fi Technology / Frequencies: 802.11b/g/n/ac 2.4 & 5.0 GHz
- Battery: 3000mAh Li-ion
- Claimed Battery Life: (Primarily for short-term backup) 2.5 hours use, 1+ days standby
- Can Be Powered Without a Battery: Unknown
- Dimensions: 7.21" x 6.74" x 1.71"
- SIM Card Type: Nano
- Retail Price: $199.99
ZTE MF279
The ZTE MF270 is no longer available for purchase from AT&T, but it is very similar to the current IFWA-40.
Specifications
- Model: ZTE MF279
- # of Connected Devices: 20 via Wi-Fi (10 per band) / More Via Ethernet
- Control Panel and Default Password:
Control Panel: http://att.wirelessinternet/ or http://192.168.0.1/
Default Password: “attadmin” - USB Tethering Support: N/A
- Supported Networks and Bands:
4G/LTE Bands 2,4,5,12/17,29,30
3G: UMTS/HSPA+ 850/1900/2100MHz - LTE-Advanced Carrier Aggregation: Details Unknown
- MIMO Support: 2x2
- LTE Performance Category: Category 16 (?)
(Max Theoretical Speed: Unknown since it's unclear if all the modems features are active in these units) - Cellular Antenna Ports: 2 x SMA
- Other Ports: 1x Gigabit Ethernet (1000Mbps), 1x Analog Phone Jack
- Wi-Fi Technology / Frequencies: 2.4GHz 802.11n and 5GHz 802.11ac
- Battery: 3000mAh Li-ion
- Claimed Battery Life: (Primarily for short-term backup) 2.5 hours use, 1+ days standby
- Can Be Powered Without a Battery: Unknown
- Dimensions: 5.4" x 5.43" x 1.18"
- SIM Card Type: Nano
- Retail Price: $199.99
ZTE Z700A
The original Home Base device, the ZTE Z700A does not have any cellular antenna ports.
Specifications
- Model: ZTE Z700A
- # of Connected Devices: 10 via Wi-Fi / More Via Ethernet
Control Panel: http://192.168.1.1 or http://attwifimanager/
Default Password: "attadmin" - Networks supported:
4G/LTE Bands: 2, 4, 5, 17
3G: UMTS/HSPA+ 850/1900/2100MHz - LTE-Advanced Carrier Aggregation: No
- LTE Performance Category: Category 3
(Max Theoretical Speed: 100Mbps Down / 50Mbps Up) - Cellular Antenna Ports: None
- Wi-Fi Technology / Frequencies: 802.11 b/g/n - 2.4GHz Only
- Other Ports: 1x Fast Ethernet (100Mbps), 1x Analog Phone Jack
- Dimensions: 5.4 x 5.43 x 1.18"
- SIM Card Type: 3FF / Micro SIM
- Retail Price: $199.99
News, Videos, & Status
We reviewed the original Home Base unit. A team member upgraded to the Netcomm device in Fall 2020 and has updated members with some hands-on info below.
Potential Alternatives to Consider:
Some of our TOP PICK Cellular Data Plans to also consider:
Learn More About Selecting Cellular Data Plans Explore Our Comparative Pricing Grid
Content Included in the Member Area Below:
- Thoughts & Analysis
- Favorite Features
- Potential Downsides
- Deep Dive
- Wireless Internet Device Compared to the Original Home Base Device
- AT&T Home Base/Wireless Internet and Stream Saver
- Upgrading from a Home Base to an AT&T Wireless Device
- Retired Plan Archives
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- Consumer: AT&T Wireless Internet
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Shopping for Cellular Data Plans
Finding the right plans for your needs is no easy task - quite simply mobile travelers using cellular data as their primary way online is not how most carriers have designed their plans. Many of us want plans that provide copious amounts of data.
Understanding the different plan terms (like network management, throttling, hotspot data, video resolution) is key to determining if a plan will meet your needs or not. You also need plans that are suitable for use in the device you want to use them in - such as smartphone, mobile hotspot device or cellular embedded router.
To learn more about shopping for dataplans, check out these key guides:
As heavily as the carriers push their "Unlimited' data plans - you'll quickly discover that most have limits. Here's a video going over what you need to know about unlimited plans, including 3rd party resellers plans that you might find on the internet:
But a data plan alone will not keep you online - it's only one part of the equation. You also need the right gear and signal enhancing strategy.
For more education on assembling a cellular centric mobile internet setup, head on over to our collection of guides:
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