Cheap $20 a month Stand Alone Unlimited Rural Internet through AT&T Wireless

[kcflhrc]

I recently moved my SIM also into a NetGear 4G LTE Modem and put a new NetGear Nighthawk router behind it. My speeds went from 15 meg down to almost 60 regularly. You will need the PUK Code, no doubt about it. You input a bad PIN 4 times then it prompts you for the PUK code. Then you can set a new PIN. Keep this PUK Code handy as well as the new PIN. The PUK code is specific to the SIM Card. AT&T readily gave me the PUK Code over Chat.

 

[TractorGuy]

I'm seeing the Netgear Nighthawk M1 LTE modem brand new for $120. Am I looking at something different than you guys are talking about?

I moved my sim to a velocity before a pin or puk code was required. I wonder if I would need a code to move it again.

 

[BigBlue1]

I'm seeing the Netgear Nighthawk M1 LTE modem brand new for $120. Am I looking at something different than you guys are talking about?

I moved my sim to a velocity before a pin or puk code was required. I wonder if I would need a code to move it again.

Netgear Nighthawk M1 MR1100. They are $299 new on Amazon, $150+ used on eBay (for buy-it-now, not bids). Where are you seeing it new for $120?

https://www.amazon.com/Netgear-Nighthawk-MR1100-GSM-Unlocked/dp/B07G5KWZ3H/

I think it was just the Mobley that AT&T applied firmware to that forced the PIN lock. But I guess you can't say for sure until you move it.

Rob

 

[jcummins]

BigBlue1 sent you a pm with another question

 

[BigBlue1]

BigBlue1 sent you a pm with another question

Didn't get one...

 

[rangerfredbob]

I need to look into this hard, my stupid internet is capped at 1mbps... and it's $50/month, next step is satellite which last I checked was $120 or more and I have too many trees...

I have AT&T cell service and get 4 bars on the phone no problem in most places so it sounds like this would be a good match, I think I am 7 miles from the nearest tower... which has to be better than the DSL that I'm running now that gets slower in winter...

 

[BigBlue1]

I need to look into this hard, my stupid internet is capped at 1mbps... and it's $50/month, next step is satellite which last I checked was $120 or more and I have too many trees...

I have AT&T cell service and get 4 bars on the phone no problem in most places so it sounds like this would be a good match, I think I am 7 miles from the nearest tower... which has to be better than the DSL that I'm running now that gets slower in winter...

If you don't already have a Mobley and AT&T's "Connected Car" plan don't bother looking into this specific plan. It is no longer available to sign up for. But there are several other plans available. I think AT&T has the same basic plan but for about $99/mo and Ubifi (not 'Unifi') has a similar plan for $89.99 (The SIMPLY UNLIMITED Plan - UbiFi). Assuming they work the same as Mobley plan they are great options for location without good/fast/cheap cable or DSL options but I don't think you'll ever get into one for the $20/mo again.

Rob

 

[BigBlue1]

jcummins pointed out to me separately that there are several part numbers of the Netgear Nighthawk M1/MR1100 for sale. There may be compatibility problems with the non-AT&T branded one (mr1100-100NAS) if you're trying to use it on AT&T's network. If you want to buy one look for the model with the AT&T logo on it (possibly mr1100-1A1NAS and mr1100-1A2NAS?). He also suggested looking at a firmware thread where some folks have had problems: Nighthawk M1 Killed by FW 12.5.5.12 - NETGEAR Communities . Keep your Mobley around for a backup!!

Rob

 

[kcflhrc]

This is the NetGear Modem I'm using and it's on Amazon brand new for $120

NETGEAR 4G LTE Broadband Modem - Use LTE as Primary Internet Connection | Unlocked | Works with AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon (LB1120)



Then I have a NetGear Nighthawk Router behind it for the WiFi. You can use any router of your choice.

The modem itself has no WiFi built in, just an ethernet Port, so you have to use a router behind it for WiFi as well as DHCP

I would stay away from the NetGear M1. No external antenna's means your WiFi signal will be crap.

 

[BigBlue1]

This is the NetGear Modem I'm using and it's on Amazon brand new for $120

NETGEAR 4G LTE Broadband Modem - Use LTE as Primary Internet Connection | Unlocked | Works with AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon (LB1120)

View attachment 639155

Then I have a NetGear Nighthawk Router behind it for the WiFi. You can use any router of your choice.

The modem itself has no WiFi built in, just an ethernet Port, so you have to use a router behind it for WiFi as well as DHCP

I would stay away from the NetGear M1. No external antenna's means your WiFi signal will be crap.

Yeah, that's not the device we're talking about. Similar, but different. The LB1120, as you mention, can't be used as a wifi router, though in the config we're talking about that doesn't matter much. I think that it also only allows 2x carrier aggregation vs 4x on the Nighthawk M1/MR1100, which means it likely supports only half the throughput. This is the same reason the Mobley is roughly 1/4 the throughput of the M1 (it is no aggregation = 1x). The LB1120 might be a great option for someone wanting to double the performance of their Mobley. But for another $35 I think the M1 was definitely a better choice for me.

As for your antenna comment, I assume you're talking about cell signal, not wifi? The lack of antenna is a very situation-specific thing. In my case I've tried external antennas on the Mobley and on the Unite Explore that I briefly used and found zero benefit. I don't have great cell signal strength in my location (3-4 bars mostly) but I'm getting 40-50Mb/s throughput with the M1 so it ain't crappy for me. Also, your phone doesn't have external antennas... is its signal 'crappy' too? To each their own.

ETA: When I wrote the above I thought you were the same person stating that the M1 was available for $120 and was claiming yours was that. I see now it is two diff people with different intents, but the above info is still valid so I'll leave it.

Rob