Data SIM for mobile router

2026-05-06 15:00 UTC

I find it hard to believe there aren’t threads about this already but I didn’t find anything when I searched … I’m looking for a data SIM card for my mobile router (GL.inet MUDI V2) but I’m unsure of what to look for. I know that not all SIM cards will work and I’d rather not have to make a purchase to engage in trial and error. I saw a T-mobile plan on bestmvno.com that claimed to have unlimited data (only) for $5/mo (Im in the US) but the description also mentioned text messaging (???) which tells me that it wouldn’t work for me but I’m not familiar with what I’m shopping for so I could be wrong. Mobile router users: what are you using for your data only SIM cards?

Replies (4)

@eldavi@lemmy.ml 2026-05-06 15:20

i suspect that i’ll be in the market for one soon as well and i too am finding that it’s hard to get information or reviews on them. i wish i could help and share this to let you know that you’re not alone; which is the best i can do rn.

Open ##2090007
@unitedwithme@lemmy.today 2026-05-06 16:18

You know how bad it was to buy just a SIM card lately? Really hard! Walmart doesn’t sell them, Best Buy doesn’t have just SIM card for sale anymore unless it’s “Simple mobile” “Ultra wireless” or some shoddy NVMO. or Mint, but Mint doesn’t do mobile hotspot plans 😮‍💨. My best guess, I’m going to buy a Tracfone SIM probably, bc it supports T-Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon, and their cheapest plan is $10/mo for 1GB data which is mostly for emergencies anyway since I use WiFi at home and work.

Open ##2094491
@monovergent@lemmy.ml 2026-05-06 17:36

Prepaid IoT sim cards Not a heavy user, so I purchased one for 60 US that gets me 365 days of service or 24 GB, whichever depletes sooner. It defaults to T-Mobile coverage but can fall back to AT&T. No KYC. There are more premium options that get you Verizon coverage, also saw one with 300 GB a month at 50 Mbps for 350 a year, haven’t tried those yet though. For the curious, I purchased from www.smartsimpro.com, their website doesn’t give the best first impressions, but I can say that their data plan does work reliably for me once I configured the APN settings.

Open ##2097478
@borgar@sh.itjust.works 2026-05-07 01:52

I use a sim from https://calyxinstitute.org/ on a [GL.iNet Puli AX](https://www.gl-inet.com/products/gl-xe3000/) Uses T-Mobile's network. $500/year. Unlimited data. Worked ootb.

Open ##2332321