BackupCompareBackup internet, compared

T-Mobile Home Internet Backup

T-Mobile's backup line, $20/mo to keep ready. Switches on by itself (or manually in the app).

Your main lineT-Mobile backup

Separate lines: if one fails, the other keeps running.

Runs on T-Mobile's networkif your main internet is T-Mobile too, pick a backup on a different network
Standby cost
$20/mo
Type: 5G backup · T-Mobile Fiber or any other provider
Price when used: $20/mo with AutoPay includes 100 hours of data; after that, speeds up to 600 kbps until the plan resets

What you get

  • 100 hours of data a month
  • Equipment included
  • Switches over by itselfAutomatic by default; you can switch to manual control in the T-Mobile app
  • No contract

The catch

  • Price depends on: $20/month with AutoPay, plus taxes and fees.
See T-Mobile's page

Checked · Source: t-mobile.com

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Cheaper or safer options

OptionStandby cost/moWhat you getNetworkTypeDetails
Frontier Unbreakable Wi-Fi $25/mo 130GB per billing cycle Cellular, carrier not named 4G LTE backupFrontier Fiber only View
Spectrum Invincible WiFi $30/moIncluded with Internet 2 Gig; $20/mo with Internet 1 Gig or when bundled Unlimited; may be network-managed during heavy congestion Cellular, carrier not named 5G backupSpectrum Internet plans View
Verizon Wi-Fi Backup $30/mo$20/mo with Auto Pay and a Verizon mobile plan; $25/mo with Auto Pay and no mobile plan Unlimited data on seven 24-hour periods a month VerizonDifferent line Cable or fiber from any provider View

Our take

T-Mobile Home Internet Backup suits a household that keeps cable or fiber from another provider and wants a cheap fallback, since it does not need an existing customer account and includes the gateway. Its standby cost is $20 a month with AutoPay, lower than Frontier Unbreakable Wi-Fi at $25 and Verizon Wi-Fi Backup at $30, and it switches automatically, unlike Verizon. It runs on the T-Mobile network, so it is a different line from a Verizon backup. The catch is the allowance of 100 hours of data a month, after which speeds drop to 600 kbps until the plan resets.

Fine print
Standby cost per month$20/month
Price conditions$20/month with AutoPay, plus taxes and fees
Price when used$20/mo with AutoPay includes 100 hours of data; after that, speeds up to 600 kbps until the plan resets
Data allowance100 hours of data a month
NetworkT-Mobile
Switches over by itselfYes, it switches over by itself
Needs the provider's own internetNo, it works with other providers' internet
Equipment includedYes
Contract requiredNo
Backup runs on5G
Works withT-Mobile Fiber or any other provider
Switching noteAutomatic by default; you can switch to manual control in the T-Mobile app
Sources and check dates

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