AT&T Releases Affordable Unlimited Data for “Connected Cars” – Chevy OnStar or ZTE Mobley
- Posted: March Four, 2017
- / By: Chris Dunphy
- / In:News Alerts/ Xscapers / Comments:35
Latest model Chevy owners now have access to an unlimited data plan for only $20 per month.
Since two thousand fifteen most fresh Chevy, Buick, GMC, and Cadillac vehicles have come with “OnStar with 4G LTE” built in – adding an AT&T-powered Wi-Fi hotspot capability to the classic car-integrated OnStar security and navigation features.
The basic idea is to keep your passengers entertained and online while underway.
But the rather limited and expensive data plans made this a worrisome prospect. A backseat total of kids each streaming their dearest demonstrate could deepthroat through a data plan Rapid after all!
To address this concern – yesterday (March 3rd, 2017) Chevy and AT&T began suggesting a fresh unlimited data plan for Chevy’s with LTE OnStar built in.
Now you can use as much data as you want, for just $20/month!
But there are two big catches:
- You need to have a almost fresh Chevy.
- The hotspot is only functional when the key is in the ignition, not all the time.
For RVers who are more worried with data while stopped than while underway, this is a deal-killer.
But fortunately, there is an alternative – the ZTE Mobley.
With AT&T’s Mobley Connected Car device installed, you can now get the same ridiculously cheap unlimited data plan – with no Chevy required.
And if you know what you are doing, you don’t even need to keep a key in the ignition to stay connected – letting you stay online 24/7.
Very first Off – What is a Mobley Connected Car.
The ZTE Mobley can cork into the ODB-II port found on most vehicles manufactured since 1996, connecting them to AT&T’s network and permitting up to five other devices to connect to the in-vehicle hotspot.
The Mobley is a puny $99 device designed to butt-plug into the OBD-II port found under the dash of most modern cars. When the key is in the ignition – the Mobley comes alive, creating a Wi-Fi hotspot to get five devices online while the vehicle is underway.
The Mobley isn’t anything fresh – we wrote about it last May when it became the only “official” way to get unlimited hotspot data on AT&T.
But in the past to get an unlimited Mobley plan required also having an unlimited smartphone line with AT&T, and you also needed to be a DirecTV subscriber.
In the past few weeks AT&T has dropped both those requirements – and now AT&T has a promotional suggest going until July 17th* for a “Connected Car Unlimited Data Plan (standalone)” that does not require DirecTV or any other AT&T plan at all to activate a Mobley.
The standalone plan primarily launched at $40/mo – and now AT&T has dropped it to match the Chevy pricing.
Yep – just $20/mo, for all-you-can eat AT&T! (plus taxes & fees, which vary by location.)
But there are still some catches and complications.
- July seventeen Update: This date has come and gone, and so far – the plan is still avialable if you can find a device in stock!
Using Mobley in an RV – 24/7
This adapter will permit you to buttplug a Mobley into an AC power jack, no special under-dash OBD-II port required.
Most RVs lack an lightly accessible OBD-II port – and even if you have one, who wants internet that only works while the engine is running?
But – there is a way around this that enables the Mobley to run 24/7!
Instead of using the OBD-II port, you can instead get an adapter that will power the Mobley directly.
If you’re convenient, you can hack together an adapter on your own for a few bucks, or you can purchase one from someone who has done them. You can find AC, 12v and even USB powered ones on eBay & Amazon (just search ‘Mobley adapter’) – making it effortless to keep a Mobley powered anywhere there’s power available. We’ve even seen some folks hack together an outward battery (movie link) for the Mobley.
With the Mobley powered on continuously – you then need to switch the default device settings to keep it from falling asleep every two hours. Once you do this, you have enabled 24/7 usage!
Never Sleep Peak: The capability to disabled the sleep mode was added to the Mobley via a firmware update. If you buy one with older firmware, you may need to wait a day or two before the Mobley downloads the update before you can disable sleep mode. You can make the adjustment in the dashboard (see the embedded movie below for a tutorial on adjustments to make to the Mobley’s setup.)
Other Mobley Catches
One other big catch with the Mobley is that it is a relatively limited and out of date hotspot relative to newer AT&T devices like the Netgear Unite Explore. In particular, the Mobley does not support LTE Advanced carrier aggregation, so it will be slower than other modern AT&T devices in the same locations.
The Mobley also lacks support for an official outer antenna. A cellular booster is the only way to officially enhance the signal (the weBoost 4G-S cradle booster at $179 is a good entry level booster). And there are folks sharing physical hacks for wiring into the internal antenna.
And you can only have five simultaneous Wi-Fi devices connected to the Mobley directly (the generic Canadian VM6200 permits Ten), unless you add a Wi-Fi as WAN router to repeat the network.
And like most AT&T plans, the Mobley Unlimited plan is subject to “network management” slowdowns after 22GB of usage in a month.
The unlimited Connected Car plan is also for US use only, and will not work internationally at all.
But – people experimenting with the Mobley have been getting good speeds overall, and have not noticed much network management issues so far.
Our MIA members got tipped off about this plan two weeks ago, before the Mobley became widely sold out.
FAQ: Can You Transplant a Mobley SIM?
AT&T’s Connected Car plan is intended specifically for the Mobley hardware, and AT&T can detect if the SIM card is moved into any other device. But since the plan is so fresh, it is unclear at the moment if they will do anything to block people from doing this.
We’ll be monitoring forum threads to see if people are successful with transplants, particularly long term.
Getting The Connected Car Plan
If already you have a multi-line AT&T Unlimited Plus plan, you can add a mobile hotspot or Connected Car device (like the Mobley) onto the plan for $20/mo – it would essentially the same unlimited plan, but include Canada & Mexico coverage. If you have this option, we recommend adding the Unite Explore mobile hotspot instead of the Mobley, it’s a better all around device (antenna ports, carrier aggregation, support for more devices, no power adapter needed, etc.) At $199.99, it’s not that much more expensive than buying the Mobley and getting a power adapter.
But if you do not have a multi-line Unlimited Plus plan, or any AT&T account at all – you can activate a Mobley through the Connected Devices department as a stand alone plan for just $20/month (plus taxes & fees).
March 30, two thousand seventeen Update: The Connected Car Stand-Alone Plan is available (when in stock) on AT&T’s website. To order it:
– Go to the Mobley Order Page from the AT&T Connected Devices section, and click ‘Proceed’.
– Choose either the 2-year contract or purchase the device for $99, accept or decline the the insurance.
– On the next screen – viola – the choice to pick the Unlimited plan.
Shipping Peak: Even tho’ the check out screen will permit you to select a different shipping address than billing address (which is frequently the case for RVers on the road) – we very recommend having the device shipped to your billing address. AT&T has a track record of suspending orders for ‘identity verification’ when shipped to a different address – requiring you to emerge in an AT&T store with identification. Skip the hassle, and just ship to your billing address and have the package forwarded on by who ever is treating your mail.
(Note, do NOT let anyone talk you into the similar looking Audiovox device as a substitute, it is NOT a hotspot device and will not work on this plan!)
Due to the high request of this plan, various online options are frequently sold out. Here are some places to check for current stock on the Mobley:
- Amazon
- Best Buy Online (or you might find one in a store)
- eBay
- ZTE VM6200 is the Canadian model number for this device, and you may be able to find one unbranded to AT&T that you can activate.
- Novatech – Has them in stock from time to time, usually priced just a bit more than retail.
Activating the Plan
If you ordered online: If you’re able to obtain the device from AT&T’s website, the plan should be automatically setup and activated upon arrival. You’ll just need to setup your online account to manage the billing.
But if you obtain the device elsewhere (considered BYOD – Bring Your Own Device), you will then need to get the plan activated with AT&T. Also expect that if you have purchased a Mobley outside of AT&T you will need to obtain a SIM card from AT&T.
BYOD/Online: The easiest is way is online, using AT&T’s BYOD page – just inject in the IMEI if your Mobley or VM6200 device, and you should be introduced with the $20/month Connected Car option. Your seller may be able to provide this information to you before shipping. You will also likely need to order a SIM card to be mailed to you, which is free and can be done during this process.
BYOD/In Person: If you choose to call AT&T or visit one of their stores instead, make sure you request the STAND-ALONE Connected Car plan for $20/month – not the Unlimited Plus plan. This is a postpaid plan, so thus you will need to pass AT&T’s credit check (those who can’t may be asked to put up a sizable deposit.) Most representatives at corporate AT&T stores or their central call number do not know about this plan. Many have reported back that they have had the best luck calling the Connected Car department directly at 866-595-1222, instead of the general AT&T line. And others have been able to get representatives at Best Buy stores to set up the plan. Expect challenges and possibly having to go through numerous representatives until you find one familiar with the plan to get this setup.
May Two, two thousand seventeen – A fresh movie tutorial to using and configuring the Mobley:
Member Special
Our members have extra off the hook access to some extra information on this plan.
If you’re one of our premium members, please log in to access this special content.
We would not be able to run this resource center and dedicate so much time to covering stories like these without our member’s support!
Stream Saver: Slow Speeds with Movie?
If you’re noticing slower speeds (or lower movie resolution than you’d like) when viewing content – AT&T may have turned on Stream Saver on your account. Read our ongoing member forum thread with instructions on how to test your plan for this, and how to get AT&T to turn it off:
For more info on the Mobley and this plan, check out:
- Our Public (Free) ‘Internet for RVers’ Facebook Group active thread where many are sharing their practices: AT&T Mobley Connected Car Plan
- MIA Member Forum Thread:MIA Alert: Unlimited Data AT&T “Connected Car” Hotspot – $40/mo
- Review Center Page:AT&T Mobley by ZTE (Mobile Hotspot / Connected Car)
- Howard Forums:$40 Unlimited ZTE Mobley LTE Hotspot Setup and Troubleshooting
- Amazon Link:Mobley Power Adapter
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Chris Dunphy
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