Total Wireless is one of Verizon's prepaid brands. It offers prepaid phone, data, and home internet service on the Verizon network.
Total by Verizon was formerly Total Wireless but was rebranded as Total by Verizon in September 2022. In July 2024, it was rebranded back to Total Wireless.
Total Wireless's tablet plans do not meet our criteria for mobile internet (at least 50GB of high speed mobile hotspot data) so we do not track them.
We initially considered Total's 100GB Hotspot plan a Top Pick. On paper, the value is there, but the poor experience by one of our staff members trying to get the hotspot line to activate in any device showed that we awarded it in haste. If you are willing to gamble with their customer service, you may have better luck than we did.
Data Only
Mobile Internet for Hotspots
- 100GB - $45/month
- 40GB - $35/month
- 15GB - $25/month
Plan Specifications:
- Carrier Networks Used: Verizon
- Carrier Relationship: Prepaid Subsidiary
- Plan Activation:
- Device Types Permitted: Hotspots
- eSIM: No
- Autopay Discount: $5 (included in pricing above)
- Paper Free Billing: Not Specified
- Additional Fees: Not Specified
- Plan Period: Monthly
- Lines Permitted Per Account: 5
- Notes: Must Use Total Wireless Hotspots Available (4G LTE & 5G Offerings)
- Data Allotments:
- On Device: Not Applicable
- Hotspot/Tethering: High-speed to plan cap, then throttled to 2G speeds
- Additional Data Options: Extra rollover data can be added: 5GB - $10 15GB - $20 as needed
- Network Priority: Always Deprioritized
- Video Streaming Throttle:Data Optimizer can be turned off by contacting Customer Care
- Domestic Roaming: Yes - but Total Wireless may terminate the service of any customer whose roaming usage exceeds 50% of their total usage in any three cycles within a twelve-month period
- International Roaming: None
- Extras: None
Smartphone
Mobile Internet for Smartphones
- Total 5G+ Unlimited w/ Unlimited 5 Mbps Speeds Hotspot - $60/month
Plan Specifications:
- Carrier Networks Used: Verizon
- Carrier Relationship: Prepaid Subsidiary
- Plan Activation:
- Device Types Permitted: Phones. Phone plans cannot be used in a data-only device
- eSIM: No
- Autopay Discount: Not Specified
- Paper Free Billing: Not Specified
- Additional Fees: Not Specified
- Plan Period: Monthly
- Lines Permitted Per Account: 5
- Notes: Not Specified
- Data Allotments:
- On Device: Unlimited 5 Mbps (limited to 1 device)
- Hotspot/Tethering: Unlimited 5 Mbps (limited to 1 device)
- Additional Data Options: Not Specified
- Network Priority: Always Deprioritized
- Video Streaming Throttle: Data Optimizer can be turned off by contacting Customer Care
- Domestic Roaming: No additional charges for using the Service while roaming domestically, Total Wireless does not guarantee your ability to roam nor the availability and/or the quality of Service. Domestic roaming may be discontinued or changed at any time without notice. Due to network restrictions, Total Wireless reserves the right to terminate the Service of any customer whose roaming usage exceeds 50% of their total usage in any three (3) Plan cycles within a twelve (12) month period
- International Roaming: Yes
- Extras: Disney+ (no ads) for the life of the plan
We only track smartphone plans that meet our criteria for mobile internet, which is having at least 50GB of mobile hotspot data. Other smartphone plans may be available from the carrier other than those listed here.
If you want information on other available smartphone plans, our friend Stetson Doggett manages the website Best Phone Plans, which provides comprehensive information on all plans provided by each carrier.
Home Internet
Mobile Internet for Home Internet
- Unlimited - $50/month * Mobile use is prohibited.
Plan Specifications:
- Carrier Networks Used: Verizon
- Carrier Relationship: Prepaid Subsidiary
- Plan Activation:
- Device Types Permitted: Home Internet Router Only
- eSIM: Not Applicable
- Autopay Discount: $10 (included in pricing above) $25 off with active mobile line
- Paper Free Billing: Not Specified
- Additional Fees: Not Specified
- Plan Period: Monthly
- Lines Permitted Per Account: Not Specified
- Notes: Device Must be Purchased ($99 router). Mobile Use is Prohibited
- Data Allotments:
- On Device: Unlimited
- Hotspot/Tethering: Unlimited, 200 Mbps speeds
- Additional Data Options: Not Specified
- Network Priority: Always Depriotized
- Video Streaming Throttle: None
- Domestic Roaming: None. This is a Fixed Location Service
- International Roaming: None
- Extras: None
News, Videos & Status:
We have tested Total Wireless's 100GB data plan and our testing notes are in our member section below.
Alternatives to Consider
Also consider some of our other top pick data plans:
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Purchasing Options
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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.
Here's our video going over ways to get LOTS of data for use in your travels:
But a data plan alone will not keep you online. You also need the right gear, signal enhancing strategy and planning your travels around the options you carry with you. Head on over to our collection of guides:
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Top Data Plan Picks
Our constantly updated list of the BEST data plans.
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Which Carrier is Best?
Is Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile or Dish best for your travels?
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Selecting Data Plans
Our deep dive into understanding data plans and shopping for them.
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Data Plan Pricing Grid
Our always updated spreadsheet comparing all data plans suitable for mobile internet.
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Getting LOTS of the Data
Learn how to get lots of cellular data in your mobile internet arsenal.
Mobile Internet Resource Center (dba Two Steps Beyond LLC) is founded by Chris & Cherie of 