Verizon is a major US cellular carrier.
Verizon owns most of their network, so you are very infrequently roaming - and even when you are, they don't impose domestic data roaming caps.
For those who want a flexible plan or are not eligible for a postpaid account, Verizon's direct prepaid accounts are available for both smartphones and data-only devices.
Currently Available Prepaid Plans:
- Unlimited Phone on Device: $65 ($70 w/o autopay)
8GB16GB Phone w/ mobile hotspot: $45 ($50 w/o autopay)3GB6GB Phone w/ mobile hotspot: $35 ($40 w/o autopay)500MB1GB Phone plan: $30-
15GB30GB Tablet/Hotspot Device: $65 ($70 w/o autopay) *TOP PICK* 8GB16GB Tablet/Hotspot Device: $45 ($50 w/o autopay)3GB6GB Tablet/Hotspot Device: $35 ($40 w/o autopay)500MB1GB Tablet/Hotspot Device: $30
For Our Comparative Pricing Grid:
Guide to Cellular Data Plan Pricing
Testing Status
We have tested, and keep a Verizon Prepaid Unlimited Hotspot Device plan in our arsenal.
Policies & Perks:
- Carrier Networks Used: Verizon
- Carrier Relation: Direct, prepaid
- Plan Types Available: Phone, data only
- Device Types Permitted: Phones, Hotspots, Tablets
- Hotspot (Jetpack) Devices: Can be added as a line on an account for the full price of line, including as the only line on the account, except for the 500mb plan.
- Device Purchase Required: No, but can purchase a device
- Mobile Hotspot Use:
- Throttling: Plans experience un-throttled network speeds for on-device data. After the data bucket on tiered plans is used, on-device speeds and hotspot speeds are throttled to 2G/128kbps for the remainder of the cycle - except for the 15GB (30GB with promo) Jetpack plan, which is throttled to 3G/600kbps.
- Network Management: All prepaid plans are always subject to deprioritization behind postpaid customers on congested towers.
- International Roaming: TravelPass is available for prepaid plans - for $5 a day per line, customers can use their plan data in Canada and Mexico, the US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. For $10/day per line, plan data can be used in 30+ other destinations.
- Domestic Roaming: Some - but not full. Verizon prepaid utilizes most of Verizon postpaid domestic roaming for calls or data when you are off their network domestically. To view the disparities, see Verizon's map comparisons here. There are no additional charges for domestic roaming when it is supported - but you may see slowed data speeds (3G/2G speeds).
- Plan Period: 30 days
- Data Roll Over: Base data on current Verizon tiered-data prepaid plans does not roll over - you lose what you don't use at the end of your billing period. (Older prepaid plans included roll-over data, and that feature is grandfathered in for those who keep their accounts in good standing. Upgrading an older line to the new prepaid plan will eliminate carry over data from the line).
- Overage Charges: There are no overage charges on prepaid plans. Once you use your data, data use is throttled to 128kbps speeds for the rest of the billing cycle. However high-speed data top-ups are available on smartphone plans at $5 for 500mb to be used within 30 days, and $10 for 1GB or $20 for 3GB (which can be used within 90 days).
- Streaming: No streaming services are provided with prepaid accounts. All video streaming is capped at 1080p for tablets, 720p for hotspot devices, and 480p for phones.
- Unlimited Data Plans: All data on the unlimited phone plan is always network managed. Unlimited plan phone lines do not include any hotspot data - all data in on device. pUDP Jetpack lines were retired to new customers on May 21st, 2019, but those who maintain those lines can utilize unlimited, network managed hotspot data from their hotspot device.
- Lines permitted per account:
- 10 lines are allowed per account.
- Additional lines after the first are eligible for up to a $20/month discount depending on device and plan.
- A family plan allows for the ability to mix-and-match line types on a single account.
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Potential Alternatives to Consider:
For other featured cellular data plans ideal for RVers and Crusiers - here's some other options to consider:
Verizon postpaid native cellular phone & data plans, with "unlimited" plans offering 15-30GB of high speed mobile hotspot use.
Sprint's postpaid plans, some offering 50-100GB of high speed mobile hotspot use from phones and data devices.
Verizon's prepaid Jetpack data plan - currently offering a double data promo of 30GB of high-speed data for $65/month.
T-Mobile's offers the Global Plus 15GB add-on to their Magenta plans - which allows for unlimited high speed mobile hotspot from a smartphone for $120/month.
AT&T's data plans available with the Togo Roadlink 2 and Airstream Connected Kit. Top pick plan is $360/year for unlimited data.
FMCA offers a Sprint based unlimited data plan to their members on a month to month basis for $49.99/mo.
AT&T's cellular data plans & mobile router intended for homes. They offer a 100GB data plan for $100/month that is suitable on the road.
AT&T's DataConnect prepaid unlimited plan for tablets starting at $34.99/month. While intended for tablets only, the SIM cards currently just work when placed in hotspots.
3rd party rental vendors (ie. OTR Mobile, Netbuddy, LivinLite, etc) offer AT&T based unlimited data plans ranging in price from $49-$200/month - on a month-to-month no contract basis.
A clause in the Sprint's terms allows some non-profits (ie. Calyx, PCs for People) to offer low cost unlimited data plans to their members, ranging from $10-33/month.
Learn More About Selecting Cellular Data Plans
Purchasing Options
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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