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.
Plan Specifications
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.
**TOP PICKS**
Top Pick Notes: Calyx and PCs for People non-profits offers a few plans that we consider top picks worth focusing your research on. Here are the highlights of the plans we recommend and why we consider them top picks:
Data Only: Calyx Institute Mobile Internet
- Device: Hotspots, Routers
- Data: Unlimited
- Price: $41.67-62.50/month
- Top Pick Notes: They offer three memberships, and one is a BYOD
- More Info: View the 'Calyx' tab on this page
Data Only: PCs for People Mobile Internet
- Device: Hotspots
- Data: Unlimited
- Price: $15/month (offers pay-per-month plans 3, 6, 12, 24 & 36 months that decrease the monthly price)
- Top Pick Notes: You must be income-qualified to be eligible for their plans. Device and plan options vary with time, so check the website: PCs for People.
- More Info: View the 'PCs for People' tab on this page
Calyx
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.
Mobile Internet for Hotspots & Routers
- Contributor- $41.67/month **TOP PICK**
- (Unlimited 4G data w/ Franklin T10 Hotspot)
- Sustainer - $62.50/month **TOP PICK**
- (Unlimited 5G data w/ Inseego MiFi X Pro 5G Hotspot)
- Sprout - $41.67/month **TOP PICK**
- (Unlimited 5G data, BYOD)
Plan Specifications:
- Carrier Networks Used: T-Mobile
- Carrier Relation: Non-Profit Reseller
- Plan Activation:
- Device Types Permitted:
- Contributor & Sustainer: Hotspot - Device Specific (price included in membership)
- Sprout: Any T-Mobile-compatible hotspot or router (BYOD - Bring Your Own Device)
- eSIM: No
- Autopay Discount: No
- Paper Free Billing: No
- Additional Fees:
- Activation Fee: Not Specified
- Monthly Carrier Fees: Not Specified
- Taxes Extra: Not Specified
- Plan Period: Yearly, Quarterly
- Lines Permitted per Account: 1
- Notes:
- 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
- Device Types Permitted:
- Data Allotments:
- On Device: Not Applicable
- Hotspot/Tethering: Unlimited But Network Management After 100GB
- Additional Data Options: Not Specified
- Network Priority: Always Deprioritized
- Video Streaming Throttle: Not Specified, But Throttling to 2.5 Mbps Has Been Noted
- Domestic Roaming: None
- International Roaming: No International Coverage is Included
- Extras: None
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.
Mobile Internet for Hotspots & Routers
- Unlimited Data - Pay-Per-Month Plans: **TOP PICK**
- $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)
Plan Specifications:
- Carrier Networks Used: T-Mobile
- Carrier Relation: Non-Profit Reseller
- Plan Activation:
- Device Types Permitted: Hotspots
- eSIM: No
- Autopay Discount: Not Specified
- Paper Free Billing: Not Specified
- Additional Fees:
- Activation Fee: Not Specified
- Monthly Carrier Fees: Not Specified
- Taxes Extra: Not Specified
- Plan Period: Monthly, And Up To 36 Months
- Lines Permitted Per Account: 1
- Notes: Not Specified
- Data Allotments:
- On Device: Not Applicable
- Hotspot/Tethering: Unlimited But Network Management after 23GB
- Additional Data Options: Not Specified
- Network Priority: Always Deprioritized
- Video Streaming Throttle: Not Specified
- Domestic Roaming: No
- International Roaming: No International Coverage is Included
- Extras: None
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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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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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 