AT&T Prepaid is AT&T's own prepaid brand. Plans can be obtained directly from the carrier, in AT&T stores, or at select retailers such as Walmart.
Plan Information
AT&T prepaid offers smartphone plans, data-only plans, and Connected Vehicle plans. Their smartphone plans do not meet our criteria for mobile internet, so we do not track them.
We have occasionally seen reports of retail stores not being able to activate prepaid plans. Contacting AT&T over the phone seems to be the easiest way to activate a plan. If you want to go through a store, we recommend first calling to confirm a store will activate a prepaid plan.
We also keep Gear Center entries for AT&T Prepaid's RV Data Connect Plans and their now retired DataConnect Prepaid Unlimited Tablet Plan.
Data-Only Plans
Data-Only Plans
Top Pick Notes: Previously AT&T offered a 100GB for $55/mo plan, that went up in price to $90/month in June 2022. Cricket Wireless also offers a similar plan for hotspot devices on AT&T's network that also increased in price in September 2022. There are some slight variations on the Cricket plan that may make it a worthwhile consideration. Members, see our comparison chart below (as well as some ongoing warnings about this plan).
Currently Available Plans:
These plans are only available for purchase in AT&T stores or by phone, or in Walmart stores. The 100GB plan which can only be purchased directly from AT&T. You can see information about them on AT&T's website but you can not sign up for them online.
- Data Plans for Tablets, Mobile Hotspots & Routers:
- Biggest: 100GB - $90/month **TOP PICK**
- Best Value: 50GB - $55/month
- Essential Data: 15GB - $35/month
- Built in Savings Plan: $300 for 12 months - 20GB/month ($25/month)
Plan Specifications:
- Carrier Networks Used: AT&T
- Carrier Relationship: Direct prepaid
- Plan Types Available: Data only
- Device Types Permitted: Tablets, Hotspots, Routers
- Unlimited: No
- 5G Access: Yes
- eSIM: No
- High-Speed Mobile Hotspot Use: Yes
- Throttling: None - Plans experience full network speeds until the data cap (if any) is reached, then data is cut-off.
- Network Management: None
- Video Streaming Resolution: Most plans come with Video Management (SD) which can be turned off to experience full HD video.
- Device Purchase Required: No, but you can purchase a device
- Plan Period: 30 days, except for the Built-in Savings Plan, which is 12-months.
- International Roaming: No
- Domestic Roaming: AT&T Prepaid seems to include some, but not full domestic roaming. It likely has similar limits to postpaid accounts.
- Data Roll Over: No
- Overage Charges: None. Data Add-ons are available.
- Lines permitted per account: Not Specified
- Extras: Not Specified
Connected Car Plans
Connected Car Plans
Several car manufacturers partner with AT&T to provide Connected Car Plans.
Currently Available Plans
- Unlimited - $25/month
- Unlimited 6 Months - @120/6 months
- Unlimited 12 Months - $200/year
Plan Specifications:
- Carrier Networks Used: AT&T
- Carrier Relationship: Direct prepaid
- Plan Types Available: Connected Car
- Device Types Permitted: Connected car device, Vehicle
- Unlimited: Yes
- 5G: No
- eSIM: No
- High-Speed Mobile Hotspot Use: All
- Throttling: 128kbps after data caps are met.
- Network Management: Always on capped plans; after 22GB on unlimited plans
- Video Streaming Resolution: No throttles
- Device Purchase Required: No
- Plan Period: Monthly, 6 Months, or 12 Months
- International Roaming: Data can be used in Canada only at no additional charge.
- Domestic Roaming: Not Specified
- Data Roll Over: None
- Overage Charges: None
- Lines permitted per account: Not Specified
- Extras: Not Specified
DataConnect RV Plans
RV Plans:
AT&T has partnered with RV industry companies to offer special data plans for RV owners with manufacturer installed/provided connectivity equipment. These plans were ONLY available with specific equipment purchased and installed on RVs, and are restricted to use only in that equipment. Recently AT&T retired their Connected Car Department and now you can purchase these plans with any tablet, phone or hotspot that AT&T offers in their AT&T Prepaid Data Plans.
See our dedicated Gear Center entry on DataConnect RV Plans for more information.
- Available Plans
- 15GB/month for $35/month
- 20GB/month for $25/month (when you prepay $300 for 12 months of service)
- 50GB/month for $55/month
- 100GB/month for $90/month
Plan Specifications:
- Carrier Networks Used: AT&T
- Carrier Relationship: Direct prepaid
- Plan Types Available: Data only
- Device Types Permitted: Plan dependent: Tablet, Hotspot or other connected device AT&T offers in Prepaid
- Unlimited: No
- 5G Access: Only available on 5G devices
- eSIM: No
- High-Speed Mobile Hotspot Use: All
- Throttling: None - Plans experience full network speeds until the data cap (if any) is reached, then data is cut-off.
- Network Management: None.
- Video Streaming Resolution: Most plans come with Video Management (SD) which can be turned off to experience full HD video.
- Device Purchase Required: No, but can purchase a device
- Plan Period: Monthly
- International Roaming: No
- Domestic Roaming: AT&T Prepaid seems to include some, but not full domestic roaming. It likely has similar limits to postpaid accounts.
- Data Roll Over: None
- Overage Charges: None. Data Add-ons are available. 5GB for $10/month
- Lines permitted per account: N/A
- Extras: Not Specified
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.
Related News, Videos, & Status:
Video Stories
News Stories
Alternatives to Consider
Also consider some of our other top pick data plans:
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Purchasing Options
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AT&T Prepaid Hotspot & Tablet Plans
- While listed on their website, you must visit an AT&T or a Walmart store or call to activate. We do have some reports of this plan being activated over the phone through AT&T Prepaid if you have a new AT&T prepaid SIM card in hand.
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.
-
Which Carrier is Best?
Is Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile or Dish best for your travels?
-
Selecting Data Plans
Our deep dive into understanding data plans and shopping for them.
-
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