Prepaid Wireless Broadband Plans

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Prepaid Wireless Broadband Plans

Prepaid wireless broadband plans have really grown, now offering a lot of options for customers. If you have followed the prepaid broadband industry, you will see that truly unlimited data plans are no longer a reality (they are either throllted or capped). However, there are still a lot of great options for those seeking to avoid contract plans. Use the comparison chart below to zone in on the plan and provider that best meets your needs!

I constantly monitor the news and company websites to catch any changes to prepaid wireless broadband plans and pricing, and update this table within a matter of days (usually hours!). I do recommend that you always check the company's website to review their broadband coverage maps to ensure their service will work where you generally live, work, and play. There are new prepaid wireless Internet plans being launched all the time, so please check back regularly to see what's new!

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Provider	Fee (Data Included)	Modem	Restrictions	Coverage	Activation Fee	Network	Operating System	Notes
AT&T	$15 - 1 day (100MB) $30 - 7 days (300MB) $50 - 30 days (1GB)	Any AT&T compatible modem/netbook or MiFi	None	AT&T nationwide network	None	GSM	Windows, Mac	New unactivated SIM required No overage available (compare to Verizon plans) *Available in store & phone sales only
Best Buy Connect	$10 - 7 days (200MB) $35 - 30 days (1.5GB) $50 - 30 days (3GB) $90 - 90 days (5GB)	USB Modem $69.99 MiFi ($99.99)	None	Verizon, Sprint, or AT&T nationwide network	$35	CDMA/GSM (Verizon/Sprint/AT&T)	Windows	Save 5% monthly when using autopay on a BBY credit card Rewards Zone MasterCard Use GoBi technology for multiple carrier compatibility Also offer 4G Broadband
Cricket	*$30 - 30 days (1GB) $45 - 30 days (2.5GB) $55 - 30 days (5GB) $65 - 30 days (7.5GB)	USB Modem $0 - $19.00 MiFi ($149.99)	Speed reduced to VERY slow if data allowance exceeded	Local calling area only	$25	CDMA	Windows, Mac	*$30 plan available only in select retailers (ex. Walmart) Note: Retail plans (Walmart, Best Buy, Radio Shack) are $5 less & do NOT include nationwide coverage
DataJack	$9.99/month (200MB) $19.99/month (500) $29.99/month (1GB) $49.99/month (5GB)	USB Modem MiFi $69.99	None	Sprint nationwide network	None	CDMA (Sprint)	Windows, Mac	Doubles as memory stick with 16GB
Hele by Mobi PCS	$30/month (4GB)* $40/month (6GB)* $60/month (8GB)*	USB Modem, MiFi $30 - $130	None	Oahu, Maui, The Big Island	None	CDMA	Windows, Mac	*Requires Auto Bill Pay; otherwise price is $5 more Available in Hawaii only
i-wireless	$5 - 24hrs (100MB) $20 - 7 days (300MB) $30 - 30 days (1GB)	USB Modem $49.99	None	Sprint nationwide network	None	CDMA (Sprint)	Windows	Read my interview with John Willis, i-wireless COO
Millenicom	$59.99/month (20GB)* $59.99/month (5GB) $69.99/month (unlimited)*	USB Modem $0/$99	None	Sprint/Verizon nationwide network	$49.99 + $15 shipping	CDMA (Sprint/Verizon)	Windows, Mac	Requires $99.99 modem purchase Modem is free but must be returned upon closing account **Can avoid modem purchase if bring own 3G device Also offer 4G Broadband Read my interview with Dennis Castle, Millenicom CEO & Owner!
Ready Mobile	$25 - 30 days (300MB) $45 - 30 days (1GB) $75 - 30 days (2GB)	USB Modem $49.99	None	Sprint nationwide network	None	CDMA (Sprint)	Windows	First 5MB free for the first day Available in Walgreens stores Read my interview with Fred Haumesser, Ready Mobile Co-Founder & EVP

T-Mobile	$10 - 7 days (100MB) $30 - 30 days (1GB) $50 - 30 days (3GB)	USB Modem $149.99 - $199.99	None	T-Mobile nationwide network	None	GSM	Windows, Mac	Any T-Mobile modem works on prepaid
TruConnect	$4.99/month ACCESS FEE + 3.9 cents/MB	USB Modem ($69.99) MiFi ($89.99)	None	Sprint nationwide network	None	CDMA (Sprint)	Windows, Mac	Read my TruConnect Prepaid MiFi Review! Read my interview with Kevin Hamilton, TruConnect President & CEO!
Verizon	$15 - 1 day (100MB) $30 - 7 days (300MB) $50 - 30 days (1GB) $80 - 30 days (5GB)	USB & Express Modems ($189.99 - 269.99) MiFi ($269.99)	None	Verizon nationwide network	$25	CDMA	Windows, Mac, Linux	Sold in Verizon stores and Best Buy Also available for notebooks & netbooks with built-in mobile broadband Also offer 4G Broadband
Virgin Mobile Broadband2Go	$10 - 10 days (100MB) $20 - 30 days (500MB) $20 - 30 days (1GB)* $50 - 30 days (unlimited)	USB Modem ($79.99) MiFi ($149)	Speed reduced to VERY slow if 2.5GB allowance exceeded	Sprint nationwide network	None	CDMA (Sprint)	Windows, Mac	$50 plan is noted as unlimited UP TO 2.5GB, then speed is throttled to virtually useless MiFi available online & at Best Buy and Radio Shack *Available only at Walmart Read my Virgin Broadband Review!
Xanadoo	$14.95 - 7 days $24.95 - 14 days $39.95 - 30 days $74.95 - 60 days $99.95 - 90 days	Desktop Modem $99.95	Speeds up to 512Kbps	TX, IL, OK	$99.95 includes modem & 14 day starter card	Proprietary Network	Windows, Mac	When allowance is reached, access is reduced to nominal speed for rest of month Includes 3 free email accounts.
Slingshot No Longer Available		PC Card, USB Modem $59.99	None	Sprint nationwide network	None	CDMA (Sprint)	Windows, Mac	USB modem has MicroSD slot

Check Out Prepaid 4G Broadband Plans Now!

Note: The type and quality of card as well as network will affect the performance you'll get. I found a great site, Mobile Broadband Reviews, that goes into considerable detail about speed, reliability, technology (ex. EVDO, LTE), and other factors. Although the site focuses on postpaid carriers, the prepaid broadband providers use the same modems, and the MVNOs use the same networks. I don't have any affiliation with this site other than to say that it's good quality and a great resource.

Depending on your needs, you may want to also consider Wireless Broadband Rental services. Also, if you're traveling abroad and looking for a local prepaid broadband provider, compare plans by visiting International Wireless Broadband.

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