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.

Device
Plans

AT&T Wireless Internet Router

The older 'Home Base' device (smaller) and newer AWI device (larger)

In November 2017, AT&T quietly retired the Home Base cellular home router (read our review) and replaced it with the substantially updated ZTE AT&T Wireless Internet router - which looks nearly identical but is significantly larger. In Spring of 2019 the ZTE AT&T Wireless Internet Router was quietly replaced with a very similar device, manufactured by NetComm instead, which appeared visually nearly identical to the second (larger) version. The larger versions offer two SMA antenna ports, while the original 'Home Base' device offered no antenna ports.

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 device can only be activated on AT&T Wireless Internet plans (AWI).

Specifications

Model: ZTE MF279 or NetComm IFWA-40
# 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:
LTE Bands: 2,4,5,12/17,29,30
4G: HSPA+ 850/1900/2100MHz
3G: UMTS
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:
- Claimed Battery Life: (Primarily for short-term backup) 2.5 hours use, 1+ days standby
- Can Be Powered Without a Battery: Unknown
Dimensions:
- ZTE MF279: 5.4 x 5.43 x 1.18"
- NetComm IFWA-40: 7.21 x 6.74 x 1.71''
SIM Card Type: Nano SIM
Retail Price: $199.99 / $169.99 refurbished

Review & Testing 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.

Plan Information

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
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:

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

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