Review: Cricket Wireless by AT&T (Cellular Data Plans)

Cricket Wireless is a wholly-owned subsidiary of AT&T, offering both prepaid smartphone and data plans. Their smartphone plans do not meet our criteria for mobile internet but they offer data plans that we consider Top Pick plans.

Plan Information

Cricket offers an entry-level hotspot device for their data-only plans, or plans can be activated on most AT&T-branded hotspots and tablets. The plan can not be used in cellular embedded routers however.

One advantage of Cricket over AT&T direct prepaid plans is that Cricket's plans explicitly include Canada & Mexico coverage. AT&T Prepaid plans have no mention one way or the other on this feature. But unlike Cricket plans, AT&T prepaid data plans can be used in routers, and are a bit higher network priority than Cricket.

Also, even though you can bring your own device with these plans, the fine print states that "5G service is not yet available for BYOD devices." The only device that Cricket sells with this plan is a 4G device - the Turbo Hotspot 2.

January 19, 2021 - Cricket updated their compatible device list, and many router models that once were, are no longer compatible with this plan. Those using a Simply Data plan in a router are advised to NOT REMOVE THE SIM CARD from their router in order to keep the plan active - it will deactivate if you remove the card and put it back in.

Mobile hotspot devices (like the Netgear Nighthawk 4G, Unite Explore, Moxee, etc.) are all still compatible. Be sure to check the IMEI of your device before placing an order.

Members, please refer to this thread where we share confirmed compatible devices:

Cricket Wireless Simply Data Alert

Currently Available Plans:

Simply Data - Data Only Plans
- 150GB - $90
- 100GB - $55
- 20GB - $35

Plan Specifications:

Carrier Networks Used: AT&T
Carrier Relationship: Prepaid Carrier Subsidiary
Plan Types Available: Data Only
Device Types Permitted: Hotspots, Tablets
Unlimited: No
High-Speed Mobile Hotspot Use: All Data
Throttling: No throttling. After the cap, data stops completely
Network Management: None
Streaming: 480p
5G Access: Not available for BYOD
eSIM: No
Device Purchase Required: No
Plan Period: 30 days
International Roaming: Yes in Canada & Mexico. Calls, texts, or data usage while in Canada cannot exceed 50% of the total usage during a 3 month period. If you use data services on wireless carrier networks other than AT&T Mexico while in Mexico, your data usage may be reduced to 2G speeds
Domestic Roaming: None
Data Roll Over: None
Overage Charges: None
- Extra data can be added for $5 / 5GB or $10 / 15GB as needed
Lines permitted per account: 9
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.

News, Videos, & Status:

We have tested a Cricket Wireless Simply Data plan, and include notes on this in the member section below.

Videos

Alternatives to Consider

Also consider some of our other top pick data plans:

All of our Top Pick Plans

Selecting Data Plans

Data Plan Spreadsheet

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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:

Using Cellular Data Resources

Review: Cricket Wireless by AT&T (Cellular Data Plans)