ATT Mobley gone 2-22-2022?

[dkrobath]

Just watched a video about AT&T shutting down 3g that affects the Mobley check it out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uen0m5bcUqc&t=303s

[dkrobath]

My sim is still in the ZTE Mobley device. I know many of you have moved your sim to a different router. Chris sounds unsure if it is moved to a different device if it will still work or not. Thoughts? What should I buy to move it into at this point in time?

[smiller]

Are there any Mobley SIMs that are still in a Mobley?

In any event I wouldn't panic just yet as carrier-provided info and 'whitelists' are notoriously inaccurate and the Mobley might continue to work just fine. And even if you do have to abandon the Mobley just about any other AT&T-compatible hotspot device should work fine. I use both the Unite Explore and MR1100 and both work great (much better than the Mobley) and are generally available inexpensively as refurbished units.

One thing to note is that some Mobley units will have a SIM lock code (installed without the owner's knowledge or consent by AT&T a while back ) and you will need to obtain the PUK code from AT&T to turn off the SIM lock before using the SIM in another device. You should be able to obtain the PUK code via a simple call or chat with CS.

[Isaac-1]

I am taking the wait and see approach, I have 2 Mobley plans, one I use in the RV which has the SIM moved to an 815S which is on the whitelist, and one on the family cattle ranch which is still in the original Mobley. I have a Starlink dish on pre-order for the family ranch with a Feb 2022 estimated availability date, so with luck it will arrive before 2-22

[MRUSA14]

Well, I stumbled on this one. Based on the video, I moved the SIM card from my working Mobley to an Aircard 718S that I have. The sim card was locked so I phoned ATT for the PUK codes. Entered the SIM cards and the codes did not work. Now the card is permanently locked. ATT says go to the nearest ATT store and they will replace the SIM card. However, if I do that and they replace the card in the Mobley, I will be back to square one.

I am hoping they will give me a card for the 718S or better yet, sell me a Nighthawk router to put it in. But we'll see if they are, or are not, willing to do this with my existing Connected Card plan.

[smiller]

Originally Posted by MRUSA14

Well, I stumbled on this one. Based on the video, I moved the SIM card from my working Mobley to an Aircard 718S that I have. The sim card was locked so I phoned ATT for the PUK codes. Entered the SIM cards and the codes did not work. Now the card is permanently locked. ATT says go to the nearest ATT store and they will replace the SIM card. However, if I do that and they replace the card in the Mobley, I will be back to square one.

I am hoping they will give me a card for the 718S or better yet, sell me a Nighthawk router to put it in. But we'll see if they are, or are not, willing to do this with my existing Connected Card plan.

I think the answer is... don't put the new SIM card back into the Mobley, use another device instead. In spite of the dire warnings you might see here the AT&T rep is not going to know or care what a Mobely is or be concerned about what device you use. A Mobley ESN was required in order to initially set up a device on the original $20 CCU plan but that was the only real requirement. Just bring your Unite Explore with you and get a replacement SIM card, and you should be fine. Of course don't let them change the plan or 'upgrade' you, just do a SIM swap and nothing else.

[dkrobath]

Just talked to Connected car guy at ATT and he said that the ZTE mobley will NOT work after the 22nd of this month.

[smiller]

Originally Posted by dkrobath

Just talked to Connected car guy at ATT and he said that the ZTE mobley will NOT work after the 22nd of this month.

Well if so then I guess the upside might be that makes it officially OK to use a Mobley Connected Car SIM in another device since customers on the plan will now have no other choice. AT&T will either have to allow it or cancel the plan entirely, and fortunately they have so far shown no indication of the latter.

Of course as we all know they have never really disallowed use of the SIM elsewhere as this is common practice among Mobley CCU plan subscribers, but I guess this tacitly ends all doubt.

[pwhittle]

ZTE Mobley is LTE, not 3G.

[smiller]

Originally Posted by pwhittle

ZTE Mobley is LTE, not 3G.

The Mobley supports both, and what the video in the OP and some sources are saying is that apparently some 3G/LTE devices do initial network authentication via 3G only, and these will not be functional even on LTE bands once 3G service is gone. I have not been able to verify this personally but I guess we'll know at the end of the month.

[pwhittle]

Ok. Thanks for the explanation.

We’ll soon know.

[BobGed]

Originally Posted by MRUSA14

Well, I stumbled on this one. Based on the video, I moved the SIM card from my working Mobley to an Aircard 718S that I have. The sim card was locked so I phoned ATT for the PUK codes. Entered the SIM cards and the codes did not work. Now the card is permanently locked. ATT says go to the nearest ATT store and they will replace the SIM card. However, if I do that and they replace the card in the Mobley, I will be back to square one.

I am hoping they will give me a card for the 718S or better yet, sell me a Nighthawk router to put it in. But we'll see if they are, or are not, willing to do this with my existing Connected Card plan.

I would recommend to not purchase any hardware device from AT&T. No matter what the rep at the store says it could trigger a plan switch when entered into their system. At that point there's no way they can go back and reactivate the original Mobley plan.

I would take smiller's advice and go into the store with the sim card already in the device of your choice.

I see you've entered 718S however I'm assuming that's a typo and you meant 781S, which is on the whitelist.

The Nighthawk M1 MR1100 router is a big step up from what you have. I purchased mine from the following eBay seller over a year ago and it has been working fine: eBay Nighthawk M1 MR1100 router @$137.89

As a disclaimer, I have no personal affiliation with this seller, but noticed he has sold almost 900 units of this model and still maintains a 100% positive feedback rating.

[tetranz]

I wonder what time it will happen on the day.

My guess is 2:22:22 EST.

[SmokyRV]

Originally Posted by dkrobath

Just talked to Connected car guy at ATT and he said that the ZTE mobley will NOT work after the 22nd of this month.

Didn't you ask what your options are to keep the plan? There must be a legitimate device it can be used in perhaps?