2/24/23: As 16GB is for everyone now, you don't have to jump through hoops of temp number, you can directly port and order online, but make sure you don't provide a CC which can be charged upon activation. Once you place order you SIM card will me be shipped without any charges to CC. But the activation kit says once you insert SIM and activate, your card will be charged. So you have few choices for not getting charged. 1. Provide a temporary CC with limited balance 2. There is lock Credit card feature in some credit card, this is will be prevent any authorizations temporarily, so lock your CC before you activate. Then apply Prepaid refill to pay. However I had an issue with port, I've to call couple times to get activated so that I could login to online account.
Because this is an AT&T thread there is a few things you need to know before joining:
Good News! All AT&T Prepaid plans now include access to the AT&T 5G Network. *5G Compatible device/5G Branded Sim Card Required, device must be on AT&T's Whitelist to qualify. For eSim: 5G Device is required for 5G service on eSim.*Note: Your device may need a software update to be fully 5G compliant on AT&T.
Does your phone work on AT&T? This PDF in the link below shows what devices are AT&T VoLTE Certified/Approved and Whitelisted on the network.
NEW! Updated August 22nd, 2023: https://www.att.com/scmsassets/su...etwork.pdf
*Note: AT&T compatibility list may update at any time. Xiaomi devices are now banned from AT&T (did not get AT&T VoLTE Certification/Approval), select Huawei/ZTE devices still allowed. 5G Requires device capable of transmitting and receiving a 5G Signal/5G branded Compatible Sim Card.
AT&T Network Status as of March 2023:
5G+: This network is live and is expanding. When you see 5G+ this means your either connected to C-Band(n77) or mmWave. mmWave speed averages between: 600mbps - 1+ Gigs per second. C-Band speed averages between: 60mbps - 460mbps.
5G(NSA/SA): 5G Non-Standalone is where the carriers pair 5G tech with 4G LTE to provide fast data speeds. 5G Standalone is 5G that is on it's own and does not need LTE to work. *Note: At this time AT&T does not offer their 5G standalone(SA) core to customers, all 5G that is not mmWave is Non-standalone.
5Ge/4G LTE: 5Ge and 4G LTE are the same with a slight difference. 5Ge areas have Next evolution Carrier Aggregation/Back haul upgrades, areas that are LTE only have limited Carrier aggregation or only 1 LTE band broadcasting.
4G(HSPA+): This network has been retired and is shut down.
3G(UMTS): 3G UMTS has been shut down and no longer exists, In select Markets AT&T has re-farmed 3G's old spectrum and added it to 5G "n5" to boost speed and capacity.
2G(2G/EDGE/GPRS/GSM): This network had it's sunset date in 2019, it is shut down and no longer exists.
Sim card SKU's that do not support 5G+: 4453A, 4488A, 72290. Sim cards that were purchased from Straight Talk are based on 4488A and do not include 5G/5G+ support.
Sim card SKU's that do support 5G+: 6471C, 6531C, 6533C, 6661A, 6818B. eSim: 6969C.
*Note: For some devices, AT&T requires that you be on the latest Software Update to get all features working on the AT&T network including VoLTE specific features. Make sure that your phone is completely up-to-date for the best network experience.
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$300 + local taxes/fees on top ($20-$30 for most) if you pay directly with CC -- less hassle when activating but you might pay more if you're in a high tax area
You can look for ATT Prepaid refill cards on sale to save some money -- you can buy from Target website for email delivery in which case Target does not charge any taxes/fees (you can save at least 5% with Target RedCard or more if its also on sale)
*** A lot of people have trouble porting their number and getting 16gb promo when using "keep my number" option on initial order since they have to call CS for help with initial activation/port (this in an online promo so not available over phone or in-store) -- calling CS for initial activation/port might drop 16gb promo (you'll only get 8gb standard) and there's no easy way for them to give it to you afterwards:
https://slickdeals.net/forums/showpost.php?p=
Best option is to get a new temp number when ordering service -- just make sure the new temp number is from the same area/region as your regular phone number that you're going to port later.
For service zip code use a zip code from where your regular number is originally from -- ATT Prepaid's outdated system seems to have trouble porting numbers from different markets.
For example: if you have a Chicago number but currently live in NYC then make sure you get a new temp Chicago number when ordering/activating prepaid service. Do not get a new NYC number as their prepaid system won't be able to port a Chicago number on top of NYC number later on since the numbers are from different markets/regions.
Once your new temp number is activated you should see 16gb under line usage section (8gb bonus + 8gb standard) then you can call port activation center @ 888-898-7685 to have them port your regular number over -- let them know you just activated new prepaid service with a temp number and now you want to port your regular number over
** eSIM online activation makes it easier to get new temp number from same region and also pay with refill cards:
https://slickdeals.net/forums/showpost.php?p=
> eSIM online activation works for iPhones and maybe some new Androids (enter your EID and eSIM IMEI to see if activation page accepts it or not)
> If it doesn't accept your Android phone then you can choose to have either physical sim or eSIM card shipped when placing your online order, or just pick one up from an AT&T store or other retailer that sells AT&T Prepaid SIMS then use the AT&T Prepaid activation site https://www.att.com/pprepaid/activations then port your number later
Physical sim activation online (like with ESIM above) with using the temp number option with a physical sim picked up from an retail location (AT&T Store or department store like Walmart.
SIM/ESIM is active as soon as you hit continue after entering your email on the AT&T (short codes work even if your service isn't active) Prepaid Activation Portal https://www.att.com/prepaid/activations
Pop the physical sim into your phone and find the number or go into your cellular settings for the esim. Just use the temp phone number to register the account https://www.paygonline.
** ATT Postpaid or ATT MVNO currently then you'll need to port twice -- once to VZ/TMo based carrier to get off ATT network for few hours then port again to your new ATT Prepaid 16gb plan:
https://slickdeals.net/forums/showpost.php?p=
https://slickdeals.net/forums/showpost.php?p=
>> TMobile has $10 Connect prepaid plan + $10 sim = $20 + taxes/fees (you can also try eSIM: https://slickdeals.net/forums/showpost.php?p=
>> Visible (Verizon) is $5 if you have $25 back on $30 Visible service offer on your Chase/BoA/USBank card (you'll need compatible phone to activate service)
>> Tracfone (Verizon) $1 sim kit from Target/Walmart/BB/Amazon + $15 Tracfone prepaid smartphone plan (Target website has email delivery)
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• Used a "Generated Card" Number from my bank (citibank) when ordering the SIM card.
You can also use a gift card with balance less than $300 - it will bounce the $300+tax and fees charge anyway. NEED TO HAVE ATLEAST $1
• You dont get Charged ANYTHING untill you pop the SIM into the phone.
• Cancelled the "Generated Card" immediately after the order went thru.
• Received the SIM card about a day later in the mail, and put it in the Phone, went online at:
https://www.paygonline.
Make a new AT&T prepaid account (Mobile Number is already provided in the envelope slip when you receive your SIM card in the mail)
You will be sent a temporarely PIN to that new AT&T number via SMS.
• After the account is created you will see balance due $300 as you havent been charged for anything yet, and pressung the "Pay Now" button will present you with option to pay with either a Credit/Debit Card or enter a Code from a Prepaid Card..
• Go to Target and buy your prepaid card here:
https://www.target.com/p/prepaid-...A-82498449
Should arrive within 2-4hrs into your email box.
NOTE Target Prepaid Phone Cards offten go on sale for 10% off, so you could get the $300 card for $270 and if you have Red Card aditional 5% off so your total year plan could cost $256.50 which ends up been $21.37 a month 😎
• Activate your plan.
• Optionaly after all that is done, call customer service to port your number and replace the one the SIM card came with.
Attaching a screenshot of the account pending $300 Bill due and Prepaid Card Option below:
https://imgur.com/a/IngBlyL
I've been on the 8GB 300 annual plan for almost 2 full years, need to renew in August and have been extremely happy with it. $22 to $23 a month using gift cards. I could go to First Net but would be double the cost and I do not really need the unlimited data, would be great to be able to get the 16 though.
I've been on the 8GB 300 annual plan for almost 2 full years, need to renew in August and have been extremely happy with it. $22 to $23 a month using gift cards. I could go to First Net but would be double the cost and I do not really need the unlimited data, would be great to be able to get the 16 though.
It certainly seems that's what they are doing with the way these data buckets are structured...and knowing the somewhat customer unfriendly way Verizon & AT&T typically operate... Speaking of which, I agree that it completely sucks that AT&T is making this for new customers only!
But it's cool you're able to jump to Firstnet if needed... but yeah I could see how just keeping this can make sense too, with the optionality always in your back pocket to jump to Firstnet if needed.
Thank you for whatever important first-responder type work you do! Man the past couple years especially haven't been easy for you all. Respect & gratitude! :-)
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This does not give you 5G access, although for att LTE is perfectly fine
Please make sure you have verified where you mostly use your phone make sure you have great att service
att prepaid 300 yearly plan is NON refundable
If you want 5G and more data you might want to consider the online only plan unlimited max with 10gb of hotspot (it's not the unlimited posted online, search acp and unlimited max for details) as low as 34 a month in a group
You cannot port from cricket or att postpaid directly recently confirmed by posts on redddittt
You will need to port out to tmobile for 10 bucks, set up a new line on att prepaid as a new customer prior, and make sure it is in same area code/zip code
any other questions feel free to ask
Again, this is not for everyone! visible is crap for 25 as per many posters on redditt
QCI on this plan is 9, for reference most postpaid plans are 8 or 7, most prepaid are 9 except for att unlimited max prepaid which is 8.
QCI Level Explained (2022. March) | Lower QCI is better
# Verizon
**QCI 7 ➤** Verizon Frontline
**QCI 8 ➤** Verizon 5G Get More(UNLTD), Verizon 5G Do More(50GB), Verizon 5G Play More(50GB), Xfinity Mobile By-The Gig(VARY BY PLANS), Xfinity Mobile Unlimited(Unlimited, But Reduced at 1.5Mbps after 22GB), US Mobile By-The-Gig(VARY BY PLANS), US Mobile Unlimited(UNLTD, But Reduced at 1Mbps after 75GB), Verizon Business Pro 2.0(UNLTD), Verizon Business Plus 2.0(100GB)
**QCI 9 ➤** Verizon Prepaid(All Plans), Verizon Business Starter, All After Deprioritized Plans, All MVNOs, Spectrum Mobile, Total Wireless, Visible, etc.
# AT&T
**QCI 6 ➤** FirstNET(UNLTD), AT&T Business Elite(UNLTD)
**QCI 7 ➤** AT&T Consumer Elite(UNLTD)
**QCI 8 ➤** AT&T Consumer Extra(50GB), AT&T Business Performance(50GB), AT&T Prepaid Unlimited Plus(22GB), AT&T Prepaid Unlimited MAX(22GB), Cricket Unlimited More(UNLTD), All MVNOs By-The-Gig Plans(VARY BY PLANS), AT&T Prepaid By-The-Gig Plans(VARY BY PLANS), Wing Alpha Old Plans(50GB)
**QCI 9 ➤** AT&T Consumer Starter, AT&T Business Starter, AT&T Prepaid Unlimited, All MVNOs Unlimited Plans, All After Deprioritized Plans, Wing Alpha New Plans(Was Business Reseller for old customers)
# T-Mobile
**QCI 6 ➤** T-Mobile Magenta MAX(UNLTD), T-Mobile Magenta(100GB), T-Mobile Prepaid Unlimited Plus(50GB), T-Mobile Prepaid Unlimited(50GB), T-Mobile ONE(28GB), T-Mobile Prepaid By-The-Gig Plans(VARY BY PLANS), T-Mobile Connect(VARY BY PLANS), Google Fi(VARY BY PLANS, Usually 22GB)
**QCI 7 ➤** T-Mobile Essentials, Metro by T-Mobile, All MVNOs
**QCI 8 ➤** This Level is for Hotspot Users
**QCI 9 ➤** T-Mobile Home Internet
\*Spectrum Mobile's Priority Data has been removed on 8/6/2021.
\*Cricket adds unlimited priority data on their Unlimited More plan on 10/29/2021.
\*T-Mobile Home Internet QCI is 9(Edit)
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