Consumer Cellular is an AT&T-based MVNO that provides service primarily to the retired demographic. It offers flexible monthly smartphone plans that do not 'officially' include the ability to tether according to its Terms of Service. However, Consumer Cellular representatives will inform you that tethering on these plans is permitted—just utilize your phone's mobile hotspot feature.
Plan Information
Consumer Cellular offers smartphone plans, and they used to also offer data-only plans, but the data-only plans are no longer available.
They also offer a multifunction device called a GrandPad that acts as a simple phone, photo, and tablet device for seniors with caregiver remote-management features.
They offer a 5% discount to AARP members.
Plan Specifications:
- Plan Name: Unlimited
- Carrier Networks Used: AT&T
- Carrier Relationship: MVNO
- Plan Types Available: Phone
- Device Types Permitted: Phones, GrandPad (Tablet)
- Unlimited: Yes, but with a high-speed data cap followed by throttling
- High-Speed Mobile Hotspot Use: Yes, up to plan limit
- Throttling: 512 Kbps after 50GB
- Network Management: Always deprioritized.
- Video Streaming Resolution: 480p (2 Mbps for customers on 5 G-enabled devices or 1.5 Mbps for devices not compatible with 5G)
- 5G Access: Yes, with a 5G compatible device and in an area where 5G service is available
- eSIM: Yes
- Device Purchase Required: No, but can purchase a device
- Plan Period: Monthly
- International Roaming: Yes, with roaming fees.
- Domestic Roaming: Yes, with roaming fees.
- Data Roll Over: None
- Overage Charges: No
- Lines permitted per account: Up to four on the website - customers must call to request more lines.
- Extras: Discounts available for AARP members
- Price: $50/month
We only track smartphone plans that meet our criteria for mobile internet, which is having at least 50GB of mobile hotspot data. Other smartphone plans may be available from the carrier other than those listed here.
If you want information on other available smartphone plans, our friend Stetson Doggett manages the website Best Phone Plans, which provides comprehensive information on all plans provided by each carrier.
News, Videos & Status:
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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
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Getting LOTS of the Data
Learn how to get lots of cellular data in your mobile internet arsenal.
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