Ting Mobile's model has historically provided basic, low-cost and flexible smartphone plans using the Sprint network that weren't of much interest to the nomad community.
But in late April 2019, Ting came out with a new data-only mobile hotspot plan that includes 30GB of high-speed data a month for $25.
In July 2019, Ting began absorbing Sprint based plans from FreedomPop and FreedomPop's underling company - UNREAL Mobile. During that absorption period, Ting offered FreedomPop and UNREAL customers special pricing on a plan 20GB plan ($20) to lessen the blow of this acquisition.
Soon after the announcement was made that Ting would be taking over Sprint based service from FreedomPop and UNREAL, Ting announced that they would be ending service through T-Mobile at the end of 2019. Ting reported that they would be replacing that service with Verizon base service - reportedly by mid-year 2020.
Ting prides itself in supporting a free and open internet - and has made promises to customers that it will continue to provide services under that model in to the future:
"We’re passionate advocates of the principles of net neutrality. We support a free and open Internet in word and deed. Ting will never block, throttle or otherwise interfere with the online access of our customers. - Ting"
Table of Contents
- Testing Status
- 30GB for $25 Plan
- Other plans
- Related News
- Thoughts & Analysis
- Purchasing Options
Testing Status
We do not keep a Ting Mobile plan in our testing arsenal.
The 30GB for $25 Plan
This hotspot plan runs on the Sprint network utilizing a refurbished Franklin R850 mobile hotspot device (our review).
Plan Details
Like all of Ting's offerings, this option does not require a contract but one catch is that it cannot be purchased as a standalone option. You’ll need to have an active Ting account with at least one other device to get the plan.
A Ting phone line starts at $6/month and you pay separately for voice, text, and data for the line, so one could bring an old phone and get on a very basic smartphone plan for about $10/month in order to qualify for the hotspot plan.
The 30GB of data is a hard-cap and there is no option to add more. The Ting FAQ states that customers who need more than 30GB of data can order a second hotspot.
There is also no rollover data, so any unused data at the end of the service period is lost. Unlike Ting smartphone plans, the data is not pooled with any other devices or phones.
It also requires that you get the device from Ting, so customers can't bring their own Sprint-compatible mobile hotspot device (even another R850) and activate it on the plan.
Ting sells the R850 for $40 new, or $25 refurbed.
To get this plan, you will need to go through the Buy A Hotspot portal.
Policies & Perks:
- Carrier Networks Used: Sprint
- Carrier Relation: MVNO
- Plan Types Available: Mobile Hotpot (Requires phone plan)
- Device Types Permitted: Franklin R850
- Device Purchase Required: Yes
- Mobile Hotspot Use: Yes
- Throttling: None
- Network Management: Unknown, but likely none
- International Roaming: None
- Domestic Roaming: None
- Plan Period: 1 month
- Data Roll Over: None
- Overage Charges: None, there is a hard cap at 30GB of data use until the next billing cycle
- Streaming: No streaming services or benefits are provided.
- Unlimited: None
- Lines permitted per account: Multiple, but one must be a phone line
- Extras: None
Other Ting Plans
The plans that are available to customers directly through Ting's web interface are not supportive of typical nomadic internet needs.
Ting's standard line-up of plans is based on a 'choose your own adventure' model - where you can choose the number of lines on a plan, and then from a range of voice minutes, text messages, and data by the MB/GB.
While the plans don't require you to include voice/text, the price per GB ($10) can quickly add up.
Voice, text, and data is shared amongst all the lines ($6/line) on a Ting plan.
$20/20GB FreedomPop/UNREAL Acquisition
In early July, it was announced that Ting would be acquiring all Sprint based lines from both FreedomPop and UNREAL mobile. In the process of this acquisition, FreedomPop and UNREAL customers have the choice to either migrate to Ting, or choose a new provider.
In hopes of getting folks to migrate directly to Ting, the company is offering this subset of customers a special plan. This plan provides unlimited voice, text, and 20GB of data - for $20/month.
Potential Alternatives to Consider:
For other featured cellular data plans ideal for RVers and Crusiers - here's some other options to consider:
Learn More About Selecting Cellular Data Plans
Related Articles:
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Purchasing Options
Ting Mobile products are available directly through their website.
Selecting the right cellular data plan for your mobile internet needs is only one part of the equation. Here's some further guides on understanding the selection process as well as the additional gear you might need.
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