This Product Discontinued or Obsolete
While current owners of this device or plan may continue to find performance to be adequate for the foreseeable tech-future, we do not recommend upgrading to or purchasing it.
The ZTE Mobley is a "Connected Car" device from AT&T that plugs into a vehicle's OBD-II diagnostic port, automatically creating a Wi-Fi hotspot whenever the ignition is turned on.
In other words - the Mobley exists primarily to keep passengers entertained with internet access while on a road trip.
AT&T had paired the Mobley with an incredibly affordable (just $20/month!) unlimited data offering for the first part of 2017 and then again in early 2019. That Connected Car Plan offer is no longer available to aftermarket devices. Thus, the sparkle of the Mobley has dimmed significantly.
With a Cat 3 rating, the need to build or purchase an adapter so that you can keep the Mobley running, no 5.0GHz WiFi option, no antenna ports and a cap of 5 supported connections - this device is easily overshadowed by much more capable mobile hotspot devices offered by AT&T.
ZTE Restrictions In the United States:
ZTE is a Chinese company that produces a variety of electronics, including consumer cellular devices as well as network equipment that can potentially be used by cellular carriers and other internet service providers.
Beginning in 2018, the US government restricted the sale and support of ZTE products in the US due to security concerns. Then, in November 2022, the US government stopped certifying any ZTE products (along with products from Huawei and other China-based companies) for use in the US. This effectively means that ZTE cannot legally sell new products in the US anymore.
Existing ZTE products, like the ones listed here on MIRC, are still FCC certified and legal to utilize. The FCC does have the authority to revoke existing licenses for this gear, but we think that is unlikely to happen. Those using existing ZTE devices can continue to utilize them as normal.
ZTE Mobley Specifications
- # of Connected Devices: 5 via Wi-Fi / Unofficially Supports USB Tethering (see below)
Control Panel: http://192.168.1.1 or http://attwifimanager/
Default Password: "attadmin" - Networks supported:
LTE Bands: 2, 4, 5, 17
4G: HSPA+ 850/1900/2100MHz
3G: UMTS - LTE-Advanced Carrier Aggregation: No
- LTE Performance Category: Category 3
(Max Theoretical Speed: 100Mbps Down / 50Mbps Up) - Cellular Antenna Ports: None
- Wi-Fi Technology / Frequencies: 802.11 b/g/n - 2.4GHz Only
- Dimensions: 3.22" x 1.96" x .86" / 2.12 oz
- SIM Card Type: 3FF / Micro SIM
- Retail Price: $99
Review & Testing Status
We purchased a Mobley when the Connected Car ($20) plan was still available, and put it to the test.
Members can access our 2017 round of modem testing, which included testing the Mobley Device on a Connected Car plan here:
Cellular Equipment Field Testing Results – Netgear Modems / USB730 (Late 2017)
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Purchasing Options
For more on the Connected Car Unlimited Plan (now retired for aftermarket devices like the Mobley):
The Ultimate Mobley Plan Guide
Here are some purchasing links- the device is now only available through 3rd parties at a marked up price:
AC Adapter
- eBay
- Amazon
- 14.5V Mobley USB Power Adapter - Reportedly good for keeping a Mobley from falling asleep.
NOTES:
- The Mobley is not the Audiovox "Car Connection 2.0", a claim occasionally made by AT&T reps. Don't be fooled - while the Audiovox also plugs into an OBD-2 port, it does not create a Wi-Fi hotspot and is only useful for vehicle diagnostics.
- The Spark is an OBD-II device similar to the Mobley but it cannot be used outside of a vehicle OBD port and cannot easily be kept "powered on" 24/7. This limits this new device to in-car, in-motion use only, the original intent for the connected car program. The Spark is not a suitable replacement for the Mobley as a home-internet replacement for mobile users. The plan is also $30/month as it includes telematic features.
Mobile hotspot devices are small, self-contained units that receive a cellular data signal and transform it into an internet connection. They are a cellular modem and router combined. Most can create their own personal Wi-Fi network.
They are typically designed with a specific cellular carrier in mind and require a suitable cellular data plan of their own to operate. You might see them called Jetpacks (Verizon's term for them) or MiFi (Inseego's name for them).
Here's a quick video going over the features of a hotspot, and what makes one better than another:
The guides below have been hand-picked to help further your education about selecting mobile hotspots and best utilizing them in your mobile internet setup.
Mobile Internet Resource Center (dba Two Steps Beyond LLC) is founded by Chris & Cherie of