AT&T $20/month Unlimited Mobley Plan – Back for a Limited Time via UConnect Chrysler/Mopar eMail Campaign

Once upon a time, an unlimited data plan on the AT&T network could be procured for $20/month - the sweet $20/month Unlimited Data Mobley and Connected Car plan.

Sadly, what came to be known as 'The Mobley Plan' was retired in September 2017. The Mobley device itself was removed entirely from the AT&T site in the summer of 2018.

We thought the ride was over.

Since just before the holidays we started hearing rumors of a UConnect e-mail campaign circulating to owners of some Chrysler, Jeep, and Ram vehicles with an offer to activate a Mobley with an unlimited data plan for $20/month.

Thanks to one of our premium members who received the offer and shared it with us a few weeks ago, we were able to confirm it's legitimate and shared it with our members. Many of them have successfully obtained the device and plan.

It's not as straightforward to obtain as before and the option is not on AT&T's website anywhere. The activation process can be challenging to navigate, and AT&T has pushed some updates to the Mobley in the past year that make utilizing it consistently as an RVer or boater less easy.

And, the promotion is not widely available since it's targeted to a specific audience.

 

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Background on the Mobley/Connected Car Plan

If you're new around these parts, you may not know much about this plan or why it was so special. Or perhaps you've only heard rumors of this mythical unicorn. Here's a little background - and what you need to know before you adopt your very own Mobley.

What is a Mobley?

The big news of 2017 was the release of a $20/month unlimited postpaid plan, available only on a weird little hotspot device called the Mobley acquired via the Connected Car department within AT&T.

The connected car (Mobley) plan was eligible as a stand-alone plan - no need to carry a smartphone or other device on an AT&T account. You could have just the $20/month plus taxes and fees connected car line.

It was a sweet deal, and those who snagged it before it retired in September 2017 have continued to enjoy unlimited data for a ridiculously low price.

The Mobley itself is a OBD-II device. It plugs into the diagnostic port of a vehicle for power. Other similar devices provide 'OnStar' like features - like vehicle tracking, diagnostics, and more.

The Mobley device, however, is kinda dumb. It just provides a cellular hotspot connection to the vehicle.

Because the Mobley is a dumb device without GPS tracking, it was quickly confirmed that the device would run just fine while utilizing power adapters - making it a great option for an 'always on' connection anywhere you have AT&T signal.

The adapters are not acknowledged or endorsed by AT&T or ZTE - however, adapters became available on Amazon and eBay by third parties.

Here are some links on Amazon for popular power sources:

• AC OBD-II Adapter
• 12v OBD-II Adapter
• USB ODB-II Adapter

Mobley Downsides

There are a lot of downsides to the Mobley - it is not your typical mobile hotspot device. In fact, it's pretty subpar over all. Here are some things you need to understand it:

• The modem is very basic and old (you'll get slower speeds and less coverage than a better hotspot).
  • For more: Understanding LTE Modem Specifications And Selecting Cellular Devices (MiFi, Jetpacks, Routers, Phones)
• It doesn't have antenna ports, so the only signal enhancing option is to use a pricey cellular booster.
  • For more: Mobile Cellular Boosters Overview
• It only supports 5 connected devices over Wi-Fi at once, however, it does successfully tether via a hidden USB port to some mobile routers.
  • For more: Selecting a Mobile Router
• A recent firmware update now restricts you to a maximum 2-hour timeout period (meaning it could fall asleep without using some workarounds).
  • For More: AT&T Pushes Mobley Firmware Update VM6200V1.0.3 - Removes No Time Out Power Save Setting
• It is likely against AT&T's terms of service to move the SIM card to another more capable device. And AT&T has taken steps to make SIM swapping and using the Mobley non-stop more and more difficult. You must now obtain your PUK codes to unlock the SIM card if you want to move it to another AT&T capable data device.
  • For more: AT&T Connected Car Mobley SIMs Reporting as PIN Locked

Basically be aware that while you can currently still utilize the Mobley outside of a running vehicle with a OBD-II port - AT&T has made clear moves to crackdown on 'home internet replacement' usage and it could get more severe in the future.

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How to Get the Mobley and Unlimited Connected Car Plan

We can not emphasize this enough - and this is the reason we've not shared details of this plan before now:

We do not expect this offer to stick around. Even the promotional email says "Limited time only; while supplies last." We have a strong suspicion that once word spreads of this plan, stock will either be dwindled or AT&T might restrict the plan to just the original intended audience.

We have seen this in the past with prior plans intended for a limited audience.

How to get a Mobley and Unlimited $20 Plan

Call one of the phone numbers below. The first is in the original email, while the second is an alternative found by our MIA members (thanks guys - you are *the best*).

These numbers are not standard AT&T numbers but appear to be special promotion lines:

Primary Phone Number: 855-894-9945

Secondary Phone Number: 866-662-4548

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Do Not:

Do not go to an AT&T Store.
Do not go to Best Buy.
Do not call other AT&T numbers.

This offer is only available via these special promotional departments. You are unlikely to find the Mobley in stock anywhere else but by calling this number (they have them in stock!). If your rep tries to transfer you to the Connected Car department, hang up and try again - that department does not have access to this promotional special.

There is no plan or offer code to look the plan up by.

You'll need to ask the representative for the ZTE Mobley with the AT&T Connected Car Unlimited Plan. Like the original offer back in 2017, the plan is listed as $40/month, but then shows a $20 discount per month once the representative moves to the setup screen.

Based on reports, some representatives have been able to find this in their system while others can't. You'll need to be persistent - it may take a few calls.

It may help if you mention the offer was sent to Chrysler, Jeep and Ram owners.

Device Purchase

You will likely be offered one of three ways to purchase the ZTE Mobley device:

• $150 for an outright purchase
• $7.50/month for 20 months in an installment
• Free with a 2-year commitment

Reports indicate that different customers are given different options - ask to see if they'll give you the option you want.

This is a postpaid plan, so new AT&T customers will need to undergo a credit check with Equifax. If you have a lock on credit pulls with them, you'll need to unlock your credit so AT&T can pull your file. Do this before you call to save the hassle.

There is a $30 activation fee and a $15 priority shipping fee. Existing customers in good standing and possibly others can get these fees waived - it doesn't hurt to ask.

The Mobleys are shipped via Fedex Express and must go to your billing address. If you are currently traveling, this may mean needing to have it shipped to your mailing address and forwarded. Trying to ship to your current location may trigger a fraud investigation requiring you to present in person at an AT&T store to authenticate your identity, or result in your order being canceled.

Activating The Mobley - Mismatched ICCID/SIM

Once your Mobley arrives, it's time to activate it. And for whatever reason, Mobleys being shipped via this promo have mismatched ICCID/SIM numbers. Meaning, the number in AT&T's system is different from what is in the actual device.

When you get your device, go to att.com/activations and enter your information (the device phone number and billing zip code).

The website will give you the device IMEI number and the ICCID/SIM number in AT&T's system. Examine these numbers closely to see if they match the label on the box that your Mobley shipped in. If they are different, then you can't activate online.

Instead, call 800-331-0500 and tell the representative that the SIM in the device you received doesn't match the SIM in AT&T's system and you need to activate your device with the SIM it came with. Then you'll need to give them the ICCID number from the side of the box (the number is also printed on the SIM itself).

Once they've made the change and activated the line, you'll need to turn off power to the Mobley, wait about 10 minutes for the system to update, and then your Mobley should connect when you power it back on.

Things to Keep in Mind

• The fine print says this is a limited time offer, only while supplies last - which indicates they have a limited supply of Mobley devices. We are not aware of the Mobley being manufactured anymore, so once the stock runs out, this deal is probably over for good.
• These Mobleys are arriving with the 1.03 firmware, which means it doesn't have the "no time out" power save setting and your SIM will be locked to the Mobley device.
  • We have multiple confirmed reports of the Mobley falling asleep after two hours. This is a potential "gotcha" you should be aware of. For the details and possible work arounds: Mobley Time Outs.
  • If you want to use the SIM card of the Mobley in another device, be sure to also obtain your PUK codes before doing so.
• The $20/month plan is for unlimited data, however only with in the US (although there's some ambiguous mention of Canada access in the fine print). It does not include international roaming allowances. The plan is subject to network management after 22GB of usage in a month, which means your speed MAY be slowed down temporarily when in congested markets. There are restrictions on domestic roaming allowances as well - usually around 400 mb a month.

The fine print from the e-mail:

Care & Feeding of a Mobley

Here are some past articles & forum threads that you will definitely want to read up on to understand this unique plan and device:

Start Here (Original Article/Guide):

Original Article: AT&T Unleashes Affordable Unlimited Data for “Connected Cars” – Chevy OnStar or ZTE Mobley

Mobley Review: Review: AT&T Mobley by ZTE (Mobile Hotspot / Connected Car)

Follow On Articles / Changes:

Article: AT&T Pushes Mobley Firmware Update VM6200V1.0.3 – Removes ‘No Time Out’ Power Save Setting

Article: AT&T Connected Car Mobley SIMs Reporting as PIN Locked

Article: AT&T Enables “Stream Saver” To Throttle Mobley Video – Here’s How To Turn It Off