Total Wireless is one of Verizon's prepaid brands. It offers prepaid phone, data, and home internet service on the Verizon network.
Total by Verizon was formerly Total Wireless but was rebranded as Total by Verizon in September 2022. In July 2024, it was rebranded back to Total Wireless.
We initially considered Total's 100GB Hotspot /Tablet plan a Top Pick. On paper, the value is there, but the poor experience by one of our staff members trying to get the hotspot line to activate in any device showed that we awarded it in haste. If you are willing to gamble with their customer service, you may have better luck than we did.
Smartphone Plans
Smartphone Plans
Plan Specifications:
- Plan Name: Total 5G+ Unlimited w/ Unlimited 5 Mbps speeds hotspot
- Carrier Networks Used: Verizon
- Carrier Relationship: Prepaid subsidiary
- Plan Types Available: Smartphone
- Device Types Permitted: Phones. Phone plans cannot be used in a data-only device.
- Unlimited: Yes
- High-Speed Mobile Hotspot Use: Unlimited 5 Mbps (limited to 1 device)
- Throttling: No
- Network Management: Always deprioritized
- Video Streaming Resolution: 480p up to 720p through Data Optimizer
- Data Optimizer can be turned off by contacting Customer Care
- 5G Access: 5G UWB and 5G NW
- eSIM: No
- Device Purchase Required: No
- Plan Period: 30 days
- International Roaming: Yes
- Domestic Roaming: No additional charges for using the Service while roaming domestically, Total Wireless does not guarantee your ability to roam nor the availability and/or the quality of Service. Domestic roaming may be discontinued or changed at any time without notice. Due to network restrictions, Total Wireless reserves the right to terminate the Service of any customer whose roaming usage exceeds 50% of their total usage in any three (3) Plan cycles within a twelve (12) month period.
- Data Roll Over: No
- Overage Charges: No
- Lines permitted per account: Five
- Extras: Disney+ (no ads) for the life of the plan
- Price: $60/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.
Data Plans
Data Plans
Currently Available Plans:
- 100GB - $45/month
- 40GB - $35/month
- 15GB - $25/month
Includes $5 off with Auto Pay
Plan Specifications:
- Carrier Networks Used: Verizon
- Carrier Relationship: Prepaid subsidiary
- Plan Types Available: Data only
- Device Types Permitted: Hotspots and tablets - routers likely supported
- Unlimited: No
- High-Speed Mobile Hotspot Use: All
- Throttling: Yes, 2G speeds after data allotment is used
- Network Management: Always deprioritized
- Video Streaming Resolution: Up to 4K with video optimization feature disabled
- 5G Access: 5GNW access only, 5GUW does not appear included
- eSIM: No
- Device Purchase Required: No
- Plan Period: 30 days
- International Roaming: None
- Domestic Roaming: Yes - but Total Wireless may terminate the service of any customer whose roaming usage exceeds 50% of their total usage in any three cycles within a twelve-month period.
- Data Roll Over: No
- Overage Charges:
- Extra rollover data can be added for $10 / 5GB or $20 / 15GB as needed
- Lines permitted per account: Five
- Extras: None
Home Internet Plan
Home Internet
Currently Available Plans:
- Unlimited - $60/month ($10 off with autopay,$10-$15 off with active mobile line)
- Mobile use is prohibited.
Plan Specifications:
- Carrier Networks Used: Verizon
- Carrier Relationship: Prepaid subsidiary
- Plan Types Available: Data only
- Device Types Permitted: Home Internet router only
- Unlimited: Yes
- High-Speed Mobile Hotspot Use: Yes
- Throttling: No
- Network Management: Always deprioritized
- Video Streaming Resolution: Up to 4k - no throttle
- 5G Access: Yes
- eSIM: N/A
- Device Purchase Required: Yes, the device is included with the service
- Plan Period: 30 days
- International Roaming: None
- Domestic Roaming: None - This is a fixed location service.
- Data Roll Over: No
- Overage Charges: None
- Lines permitted per account: Not Specified
- Extras: None
News, Videos & Status:
We have tested Total Wireless's 100GB data plan and our testing notes are in our member section below.
Alternatives to Consider
Also consider some of our other top pick data plans:
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Purchasing Options
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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:
-
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