Some organizations have access to a special T-Mobile-based plan intended for non-profits. These operators are qualified to tap into an old legacy plan Sprint inherited during its acquisition of Clear in 2013. Then when T-Mobile merged with Sprint, T-Mobile acquired the terms and responsibility for these plans.
These special non-profit plans are administered by master agents Mobile Beacon & Mobile Citizen behind the scenes.
Top Pick Plan Notes: These plans offer truly unlimited data with no data caps, but are subject to deprioritization. 2.5 Mbps video throttle observed. You are not the plan owner and are instead receiving the plan as a benefit of your membership to the non-profit. Pricing ranges from $15-$50/month depending on the non-profit and if you choose monthly, quarterly, or annual memberships. Some plans may require use in the provided hotspot device and are locked to that device.
Legitimate non-profits can offer these plans as part of a membership program. In the past, we have seen organizations claim non-profit status to resell these plans, and they were shut down, with customers losing the service they prepaid for.
The organizations we list in the tabs below are legitimate non-profits that have reliably offered these plans for many years and have well-established track records.
Calyx Institute
Calyx Institute
The Calyx Institute is a long-time non-profit dedicated to providing education around privacy in digital communications. They offer three different membership levels with mobile internet service as a benefit. Their plans are open to anyone - no income verification is needed.
The memberships are annual or quarterly. For plans that include a device, there is one rate for the first year that covers the cost of the device, and subsequent years are less.
Currently Available Plans/Membership Levels:
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- Contributor - Unlimited 4G data with a Franklin T10 hotspot
- Sustainer - Unlimited 5G data with an Inseego MiFi X Pro 5G
- Sprout - Unlimited 5G data - BYOD device
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Specifications:
- Carrier Networks Used: T-Mobile
- Carrier Relation: Non-Profit Reseller
- Plan Types Available: Data Only
- Device Types Permitted:
- Contributor and Sustainer: Hotspot - Device Specific
- Sprout: Any T-Mobile-compatible hotspot or router
- Unlimited: Yes
- High Speed Mobile Hotspot Use: Yes - all
- Throttling: Not specified
- Network Management: After 100GB
- eSIM: No
- Video Streaming Resolution: Not specified, but throttling to 2.5 Mbps has been noted
- 5G Access:
- Contributor: No
- Sustainer & Sprout: Yes
- Device Purchase Required:
- Contributor and Sustainer: Yes, included in membership fee
- Sprout: No
- Plan Period: Annual or quarterly
- International Roaming: No international coverage is included.
- Domestic Roaming: None
- Data Roll Over: No
- Overage Charges: No
- Lines Permitted per account: 1
- Price:
- Contributor: Year 1 - $500/year; Subsequent years - $400/year. Or $150/quarter.
- Sustainer: Year 1 - $750/year; Subsequent years - $500/year. Or $175/quarter (on renewal only).
- Sprout: $500/year or $150/quarter
PCs for People
PCs for People
PCs for People is a national non-profit that provides low-cost internet and computers to low-income homes and other nonprofits. You must be income-qualified to be eligible for their plans.
Device and plan options vary with time; check their store page for the latest device offerings.
Currently Available Plans:
- Unlimited Data - Pay-Per-Month Plans:
- $15 - 1 month
- $40 - 3 months ($13.33/month)
- $75 - 6 months ($12.50/month)
- $135 - 12 months ($11.25/month)
- $260 - 24 months ($10.83/month)
- $360 - 36 months ($10.00/month)
Specifications:
- Carrier Networks Used: T-Mobile
- Carrier Relation: Non-Profit Reseller
- Plan Types Available: Data Only
- Device Types Permitted: Hotspots
- Unlimited: Yes
- High Speed Mobile Hotspot Use: Yes - all
- Throttling: Not Specified
- Network Management: After 23GB
- eSIM: No
- Video Streaming Resolution: Not Specified
- 5G Access: Yes
- Device Purchase Required: Yes
- Plan Period: From monthly up to 36 months
- International Roaming: No international coverage is included.
- Domestic Roaming: Not Specified
- Data Roll Over: No
- Overage Charges: No
- Lines Permitted per account: 1
News, Video, & Status:
Members of our team have utilized these plans over the years, confirming the plans work as intended.
Related Videos:
Related News
Alternatives to Consider
Also consider some of our other top pick data plans:
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Member Exclusive Content Below
- Thoughts & Analysis - Favorite Features & Potential Downsides
- Deep Dive
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- 5G Devices Worth It?
- History
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Purchasing Options
Purchasing Links & Disclaimer
We don't sell stuff, we are primarily member funded. Some links below may be affiliate links (see our disclaimer), which also helps fund MIRC.
The vendors displayed below provide larger discounts to our MIAs that we have negotiated instead of displaying affiliate links while they are logged in.
MIA Discounts - Learn & Save!
Our Mobile Internet Aficionados (MIA) get special discounts from the below vendors. Members please check for discount codes before ordering. With savings up to 11% off, you could save more than your membership cost!
- Calyx Institute
- (referral link - you and we get a free month of service added to our membership when you use this link. This helps us keep our plan active for continued testing. Thank you!)
- PCs for People
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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Selecting Data Plans
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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
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Mobile Internet Resource Center (dba Two Steps Beyond LLC) is founded by Chris & Cherie of 