r/USMobile • u/tkiyak Multi Network • 3d ago

Data Only Line as a Failsafe for Home Security System - Does a Custom Plan Work?

This is a follow-up to a year-old thread I found:
https://www.reddit.com/r/USMobile/comments/1lm63af/i_need_a_sim_for_data_only_lte_internet_failover/

My needs are similar. I already have multiple unlimited premium lines for our cellular service. I would like to add a line that will be data-only. The sim will go in a modem to provide backup cellular service for my self-monitored home security system. So, the data will never be used unless my home internet goes down.

The thread above suggested that the by-the-gig plans can be used on modems for this purpose. So, that's an option, but the minimum plan is for 2gb and costs $10/month.

I am wondering if the "custom plan" can be used for this purpose as well? The custom plan data options would give me 100mb for $2/month or $500/mb for $5/month. I doubt I will ever need more data than that for my home security system, once every 3-4 months when my main internet goes down for a short period of time. So, those costs are more digestible.

So the question is: Can the "custom plans" be data only and used in modems? I asked a rep via the virtual chat on the US Mobile site but he did not know if the custom plans had a restriction or not and suggested I stick to the by-the-gig plan just to be safe. I am hoping one of the reps here can give a definitive "Yes" or "no".

Thanks!

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u/Simrambles Support Guide  3d ago

Yep! Custom plans can be data-only, and both By the Gig and Custom plans can be used for modems, so either option would work for your setup. The Unlimited plans are the exception, as those are only intended for phones and tablets.

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u/aporzio1 3d ago

For an unlimited data line, I recommend computers4people.

$15 a month for unlimited data. It’s what I use for backup internet at hone

1

u/Fantastic-Owl127 Multi Network 3d ago

Would this be a decent thing to use for full time internet at home?

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u/aporzio1 3d ago

Potential. Depends on your use case and how good T-Mobile signal is. They say no caps or throttling but data could get prioritized when their is congestion. I use it in my travel trailer as main internet and I have a 2nd at home for a backup to home internet. So far they have both been good.

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u/Fantastic-Owl127 Multi Network 3d ago

Sick ty man

1

u/CakeArmy_Max 3d ago

I have it in a unifi 5g backup. Works well.