MobileMustHave Launches Multi-Carrier RoamLink Data Plans, and RoamLink Connect Hardware Rental

MobileMustHave last week launched "RoamLink" - a new multi-carrier cellular plan that roams onto Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and US Cellular behind the scenes.

This plan is designed specifically for Peplink routers and is an intriguing way to connect to all the major cellular networks (other than Dish) via a single SIM card and plan.

To go along with the RoamLink plan - MobileMustHave is also now offering its own "RoamLink Connect" re-branded and discounted Peplink hardware that comes pre-configured with a RoamLink plan and which is remotely managed and supported to make the initial setup a simplified plug-and-play experience.

Here are some more details...

RoamLink Data Plan Video Overview

 

RoamLink Data Plans

With RoamLink, MobileMustHave has worked to set itself up as a multi-carrier MVNO (mobile virtual network operator) with roaming contracts with the major carriers.

Currently - connections via T-Mobile, Verizon, AT&T, and US Cellular towers are all supported.

These are the four biggest cellular networks in the USA, which means that RoamLink should be able to connect via the vast majority of cellular towers in the country.

Only Dish (aka Boost Mobile) and some smaller regional carriers will not support RoamLink.

When you put in a RoamLink SIM or eSIM in your router - it will show as being connected to "RoamLink,"  but behind the scenes, the router will hunt through all the local towers and will stop when it gets a solid connection on one of the supported carriers.

If that connection goes down - the router will then failover until it finds a carrier that works where you are at.

This is a great way to get data and coverage on multiple networks without juggling multiple SIM cards and plans.

If you want to override the network the router automatically chooses if you are in a location where it by default, chooses a poorly performing connection, you can. If you contact MobileMustHave support, they can customize the network priority list for you. Alternatively, you can use the Peplink Dashboard to force a connection to the underlying carrier of your choosing.

MobileMustHave feels confident that the RoamLink plans are not subject to the sort of shutdowns that often plague plan resellers - claiming:

"As an MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator) RoamLink controls all aspects how network traffic is routed once the cellular radio frequencies leave the tower. Our roaming agreements with the cellular tower operators specifically allow us to provide service to our customers and are not in danger of being shut down as commonly seen with companies reselling carrier direct data plans."

It is great to see MobileMustHave jumping through the hoops needed to bring a premium data plan like this to the market.

RoamLink Data Plan Details

Two standard RoamLink plans are being offered:

• 100GB/mo - $99/mo
• 300GB/mo - $159/mo

These plans offer priority data, which gives RoamLink connections higher priority than other users who are subject to network management deprioritization. This makes RoamLink less susceptible to congestion slowdowns.

RoamLink also does not do traffic-type-based throttling, like the video resolution throttles that are common on most carrier-direct plans.

You can get these plans on a RoamLink physical SIM, or for Peplink routers that are eSIM compatible, you can get set up with an eSIM that does not need to be physically mailed to you.

This is a fabulous option for nomads who may not have easy access to a shipping address.

These plans do have data caps - when your limit is reached, the RoamLink FAQ explains that you will be throttled to a painfully slow speed for the remainder of the month:

Customers that hit their data limits will be throttled to 64kbps speeds. If you hit your data limit you can reach out to customer service and increase your plan size easily which will be effective same day providing a larger plan is available at that time.

Higher Data Cap RoamLink Plans

There are also two additional RoamLink plans with higher data caps:

• 500GB/mo - $179/mo 
• Unlimited - $199/mo

These plans require using a router compatible with Peplink's FusionSIM technology so that virtual SIM cards can be remotely installed from MobileMustHave's data center. The MAX Transit Pro and MAX BR2 Pro, for instance, support FusionSIM. 

These higher data cap plans are a bit confusing - they are being sold on the RoamLink page, but they will not appear as "RoamLink" when you are connected.

These higher capacity plans are basically just regular carrier-direct plans (AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile) being checked out automatically from MobileMustHave's FusionSIM server over the cloud as needed.

You still get multi-carrier flexibility - but these plans are not the same as the 100GB and 300GB RoamLink plans. Latency will likely be better on these plans, but the priority level may be lower.

Pausing RoamLink Service & Compatibility Details

You can pause RoamLink plans for $10/mo for up to 12 months. 

The RoamLink plans are sold and supported only for use on Peplink hardware (whether you purchased the router from MobileMustHave or not). Still, the physical SIM version of the plan has been tested and works on all sorts of other devices.

If you are interested in RoamLink but do not already have Peplink hardware, RoamLink Connect can help.

RoamLink Connect Hardware Bundles

To complement RoamLink plans, MobileMustHave is now offering rebranded and remotely managed "RoamLink Connect" Peplink routers with RoamLink service.

RoamLink Connect hardware is (initially) locked to RoamLink data plans. To make it cheaper than ever to get Peplink hardware, it is being offered at a substantially discounted upfront rental fee.

Once you have paid for 12 months of RoamLink service, the router will be unlocked, and it is yours whether you keep the RoamLink service active or not. 

If you cancel service before 12 months are up, you need to return the router. Return shipping is included, making this a reasonable option for people needing mobile internet for a single trip or additional short-term connectivity.

RoamLink Connect routers are offered as pre-configured plug-and-play connectivity appliances - just connect the antennas, turn on the power, and you are connected.

By default, customers do not even have access to the device dashboard, though advanced users can request access from MobileMustHave support.

Here are the initial RoamLink Connect hardware options:

Here is more about the three choices:

• RoamLink Solo - Uses the MAX BR1 Mini LTE (Cat-7). This is very low-end LTE-only hardware and is mostly interesting for those looking for the cheapest cost of entry.
• RoamLink Solo 5G—Uses the B One 5G, one of our top pick cellular routers. It is excellent hardware with great 5G performance and the ability to add multiple other types of WAN connections.
• RoamLink Duo—Uses the MAX Transit Duo Pro. It is a solid choice that provides dual connectivity with two built-in 4G modems for reliability, but it does not support the peak performance of 5G.

The RoamLink Duo comes with special data plan options that allow you to connect over two different carriers simultaneously using Peplink's SpeedFusion bonding - all automatically configured and set up:

• 500GB/mo - $199/mo (SpeedFusion Included)
• Unlimited - $249/mo (SpeedFusion Included)

Unlimited SpeedFusion (pre-configured with no setup needed) is an especially nice perk - and makes it easier than ever for novice users to get access to this level of enterprise-grade connection reliability.

Concluding Thoughts

MobileMustHave is making big moves to go from being a hardware vendor and plan reseller to being a full MVNO. It aims to offer reliable multi-carrier plans with high-priority data that are well-matched for Peplink hardware.

We have been beta-testing RoamLink for a while now, and it is proving to be pretty solid. We have begun sharing some hands-on observations in our member forums and the member section of this news story below.

In general, RoamLink plans' performance should be very similar to what you get directly from the carriers - potentially with faster raw throughput compared to many carrier-direct options since the data is not subject to carrier deprioritization. However, there will likely also be higher latency in some locations since the connection must be routed through MobileMustHave's data center.

Here at MIRC, we think the RoamLink data plans are a unique offering for multi-carrier connectivity on your pick of high-end Peplink routers. They are price competitive and from a company that has shown it has its customers' backs.

Other multi-carrier plans are available (such as TravlFi, HomeFi, Solis, and more), but they are all locked to lower-end routers and lack the configurability and advanced options of a Peplink router.

We also really like that RoamLink plans can be affordably paused for extended durations - a very handy feature for those with more variable or seasonal/part-time needs.

We are eyeing RoamLink as a potential Top Pick data plan, pending the initial rollout's success, our continued testing, and member feedback. 

Member Exclusive Details & Analysis

MIA members, be sure to log in for some exclusive analysis and inside info on the RoamLink data plans - as well as information on getting member discounts on RoamLink Connect hardware and RoamLink data plans.

Bookmark