Verizon Prepaid Brand Total Wireless Now Offers A 100GB Data Plan For $45/Month

Verizon owns several prepaid brands, one of which is Total Wireless (formerly known as "Total by Verizon"), which offers inexpensive prepaid service. Historically, Total Wireless offerings were not very exciting from a mobile internet perspective, but the brand has recently revamped its plan lineup, adding compelling data-only options for hotspots, tablets, and routers.

Video Stories

Updated Video - after we encountered activation issues:

Original plan launch video with details:

New Data Plans

The new data plan lineup includes the following options:

• 100GB for $50/month ($45 with autopay) - a new Top Pick (We've removed Top Pick designation due to a host of problems with activation, customer service, and confusion over the video optimizer feature)
• 40GB for $40/month ($35 with autopay)
• 15GB for $30/month ($25 with autopay)

When signing up, customers pay the full price for the first month but get the autopay price for subsequent months by setting up autopay. These are, however, prepaid plans on a month-to-month basis and can be canceled at any time.

Customers must purchase the plan with a Total Wireless mobile hotspot device or a $0.99 SIM kit. At press time, the only mobile hotspot device available on the website is a low-end LTE-only device, which we don't recommend.

Here are the plan specifications:

• Plans run on the Verizon network.
• All data is deprioritized.
• 5G access is included; however, the plans do not appear to include access to Verizon's faster 5GUW coverage—just LTE and long-range 5GNW. 
• Plans come with a "Video Optimizer" feature that throttles video streams to save data - according to the terms of service, this can be turned off by contacting customer care for HD streaming, but we've received reports that customer care couldn't/wouldn't turn it off.
• Once the plan data limit is reached, speeds are throttled to 2G (128kbps). You can purchase additional high-speed rollover data for $20 for 15GB or $10 for 5GB. 
• Domestic roaming is included. Plans may be terminated if roaming usage exceeds 50% of total usage in any three billing cycles within a twelve-month period.
• No international roaming is included.
• There are no bundling or multi-line discounts.

Note: When ordering the plan on the website with the BYOD SIM kit, the card does NOT come pre activated. Before you buy this plan, ensure you have a the IMEI of a Verizon-certified device for activation that is in Verizon's activation database. Total Wireless has an IMEI checker for this.

Once the SIM card is received, customers must call/chat with Total Wireless to activate the SIM and plan, or use the automated web and phone system to activate. You must have the IMEI number of a Verizon certified data device that is in Verizon's activation database, a valid unused SIM card, and a plan service code PIN if you bought the plan online. This information is NOT disclosed during the purchase process. 

Total Wireless Branding

Along with these new plans, Total Wireless's branding has changed again.

The brand was originally Total Wireless until it was rebranded to "Total By Verizon" in September 2022.

Now, it has switched back to Total Wireless, although, at press time, much of the website (including the URL) still uses "Total by Verizon."

 Bonus Member Only Content Available!

We go extra for our premium members - who make this resource center possible (did you notice the lack of 3rd Party advertising?). We have included some additional information in this news article just for our members - analysis, guidance and/or insider tips.

If you're not yet a member, please consider joining us. Extra content like this is one of the many perks we offer - in-depth content, guidance, discounts, alerts, classroom and more.

Learn About Membership

If you are already a member, please log in above to see the special content we have prepared for you.

Concluding Thoughts

Overall, the new 100GB data plan for $45/month with autopay is a great value on paper, but there are some serious problems with Total Wireless support, activation processes, and other policies, such as the ability to turn off the video optimizer warrant caution when obtaining the plan as it's not clear if the terms on the website can be trusted.

In terms of promised features, it compares favorably with similar plans from Verizon prepaid and postpaid as well as AT&T and T-Mobile.

It's great to see another data option for mobile users, especially one that runs on the Verizon network and offers a good value. However, we hope Total Wireless fixes all the issues many have had attempting to activate this plan and take advantage of features like the ability for HD streaming.

Total Wireless data plans are available online and at Walmart - however, at press time, the new data-only plans were not listed on Walmart's website.