Community Forums

Conchasjim · 03-22-2025, 08:16 AM

I have a Mobley device that Ive been paying the monthly fee for several years. I rarely use it anymore. Ive been streaming from my T-Mobile cell phones hot spot.
Are these devices still popular? Ive heard you can transfer the SIM card to a router for internet service in your home, cabin, MH etc.
Will AT&T allow me to insert the SIM to such a router?
What's the scoop?

jacwjames · 03-22-2025, 08:46 AM

I bought a Mobley back ~10 years ago. We were getting ready to build a house and I needed internet access and the price of $23.49/month was hard to beat.
In 2017 I moved our motorhome to the property as the house was being framed up and I started to wire it. I started staying in the coach for security reasons and used the Mobley and continued after the house was almost done moved it inside and continued to use and even started connecting more devices.
So I upgrade to a Nighthawk MR1100 hotspot which allowed more devices but didn't have the range I wanted so I connected a ASUS router which provided more range. I even set up a point to point extender to have internet access in the garage where the motorhome is parked so I internet there and have a second router there which connects the TV & Microair thermostat which I can check from anywhere. The point to point uses the wiring from the house to the garage to carry the signal. Magic I guess but a decent way to get internet to remote building.

We still used the original SIM card in the Nighthawk to support all our needs for internet access. Currently have 7 smart TV's, 6 security cameras, two smart thermostats, 2 laptops, 2 printers.

Last time I checked our monthly data usage it was ~300 GB, from what I can tell I've never been throttled.

**Lt Dan** · 03-22-2025, 09:24 AM

I still use my Mobely SIM card inserted into a MoFi router. It's basically a low usage plan with a 20gig limit but that's plenty just to run a WiFi system in the coach full time for remote monitoring, etc. It's still grandfathered in at $20 per month, but I have heard at some point they locked the SIMs where they could not be used outside of the Mobely.

TechWriter · 03-22-2025, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Conchasjim

Will AT&T allow me to insert the SIM to such a router?

I moved my Mobley SIM into a Netgear router a few years ago.

To find the latest info, check out the MIRC.

PS89 · 03-22-2025, 02:23 PM

My Mobley SIM has been in my MR1100 for at least 5 years. Still works! Used it hard for our recent 2 month trip to Florida. Streamed most evenings, probably over 200 gig per month.

chuckbear · 03-22-2025, 05:58 PM

I too use my Mobley in a nighthawk MR 1100 and have been for years. Yes they did a sim lock some time ago if you allowed the update at that time. Ours is not locked. Still unlimited, still $20.00 per month. Chuck

pwhittle · 03-22-2025, 08:42 PM

I moved mine to a Netgear MR1100 too.

I couldn’t get around the lock so went to an AT&T store and they gave me a replacement SIM.

We just used it to remote work for a week. The MR1100 did overheat a couple times I am 3D printing a mount that includes a fan

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4297451

It is a little bulk, but I’ll see how it works.

Paul

Conchasjim · 03-23-2025, 03:01 PM

What routers will work with a Mobley sim card account ?
I was looking into a tmobile gateway or a metro sim card router.

PS89 · 03-23-2025, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Conchasjim

What routers will work with a Mobley sim card account ?
I was looking into a tmobile gateway or a metro sim card router.

The candidate router must work on the ATT network and must not be carrier-locked, as minimums.

powercat_ras · 03-24-2025, 09:47 AM

I have been using an unlocked Alcatel MW14NF 4G hotspot I bought on Amazon for the past 4 years. It is low power consumption like the Mobley was, it is 5V micro USB powered, and also has an internal battery and can be used for a few hours at a time without external power.

As was noted you need to obtain your PUK1 and PUK2 codes from ATT techincal support to be able to move your SIM card to your replacement unlocked device.

I use it with WeBoost RV cell signal booster in my motorhome, and all my WiFi devices are within 20 yards of the motorhome, so I did not need a high end router with better cellular and WiFi antennas.

For those still on ATT Connected Car Plan like I am , if any of you have moved your SIM to a ATT 5G band capable device, have you ever seen your device connect in 5G ?

Conchasjim · 03-30-2025, 10:06 PM

I was able to find a new hotspot device. It's called a AT&T prepaid Turbo Hotspot 3. I purchased it at Walmart for about $50. I attempted to get it activated via phone, but they couldn't get it done. So, I then went into a AT&T store and they put a new SIM card in and activated it. It is a 5G device with speeds of 110 Mbps. Which is pretty fast compared to my home Century link wifi speeds of 55-60 Mbps. I did not have to change plans and have the unlimited plan for about $22 a month.

Isaac-1 · 03-30-2025, 11:28 PM

I have 2 Mobley accounts, one still has the SIM in the actual Mobley (with a dummy OBDII power adapter), the other I moved the SIM to an Netgear 815S about 6 years ago. Until about 3 years ago the one in the Actual Mobley was used for remotely accessing a security camera at a site with no other internet access, it is now a general spare that I keep in my notebook computer bag, with no on board battery there is no worry about battery failure, swelling, etc. like there is with the 815S where I end up having to buy a new battery about every year or so.

Still works great, my wife used the Mobley on a business trip last week so she did not have to deal with hotel wifi