Straight Talk Wireless Introduces Prepaid Home Internet

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If you live in an area where standard high-speed home internet isn’t available, a fixed wireless plan may work perfectly for you.

Straight Talk Wireless has partnered with Verizon Wireless and Walmart to offer a new prepaid home internet option with unlimited data for $45 per month. 

I’ve read the fine print and compared Straight Talk Home Internet with other fixed wireless services to help you determine whether or not you should consider this new plan.

Straight Talk Is Partnering With Walmart To Offer a New Home Internet Service

Straight Talk Wireless has recently announced a new prepaid home internet option that includes unlimited data for $45 monthly. 

The cell phone service provider has partnered with Verizon Wireless to offer the new home internet service on Verizon’s network. Straight Talk has also partnered with Walmart to offer the new home internet option in areas that don’t have other high-speed internet access. 

The new fixed wireless internet service will provide Wi-Fi throughout eligible homes via an in-home router. You can buy the router online through Straight Talk Wireless, in Walmart stores or online at Walmart.com. The router costs $99, which is a one-time payment.

The router picks up nearby signals from Verizon Wireless’ network (5G or 4G/LTE) and converts the signal to Wi-Fi that you can use to connect your devices at home. 

Straight Talk Wireless Home Internet All-in-one router

Source: PR Newswire

According to the website, Straight Talk Home Internet can deliver download speeds of 20-100 Mbps and upload speeds of 3-10 Mbps. The availability, coverage and actual speeds vary depending on location, signal strength and network connection. Customers in 4G/LTE coverage zones can expect download speeds of 20-50 Mbps and upload speeds of 3-6 Mbps.  

Speed and performance are similar to cable or DSL internet, but it relies on a wireless signal instead of a wired signal. Still, data should be fast enough for streaming, light gaming, video conferencing and more according to the Federal Communications Commission Broadband.

To learn more about fixed wireless internet, check out these five things to know

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How To Get Straight Talk Home Internet

Straight Talk Wireless has partnered with Walmart for distribution, which means you can get started online or in-store. 

If you’re thinking about trying out Straight Talk Wireless, follow these steps: 

  1. Check your eligibility. You can visit Straight Talk Wireless or Walmart’s website to check availability at your address. Simply type in your address and click “check availability” to see if your home is eligible.
  2. Buy the Router. If the service is available at your address, you can go ahead and purchase the home internet router. You can buy the router online at Straight Talk or Walmart. You can also visit your nearest Walmart store to purchase the router in person. It costs $99, which you’ll have to pay only once. 
  3. Buy the Plan. In addition to the router, you’ll also have to purchase the plan. It costs $45 and provides unlimited data via home internet for 30 days. Like the router, you can buy the plan online at Straight Talk or Walmart. You can also purchase the plan in-store at Walmart.
  4. Reserve & Activate. Once you have your router, visit Straight Talk’s website and click on “Home Internet Router” under “Other Devices” to activate your service. You’ll need to enter the router’s IMEI, which is on the bottom of the device. Then, you’ll be able to activate your new home internet service.

The service is completely prepaid on a month-to-month basis, which means there are no contracts or credit checks required. Additionally, Straight Talk Home Internet is offering several payment options including cash if you purchase in-store at Walmart. 

Straight Talk Wireless Home Internet Prepaid Monthly Plan for $45 at Walmart

Source: Walmart.com

If you participate in the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), you may be eligible for a subsidy of up to $30 per month according to Straight Talk’s website

How Does Straight Talk Home Internet Compare?

Compared to traditional internet service, fixed wireless is less widely available. However, fixed wireless plans (like Straight Talk Home Internet) target areas with no other internet options. 

Here are a few other key differences to note between fixed wireless internet and traditional internet. 

TypePrice Range (without discounts)Download SpeedsData LimitsContract Requirements
Fixed Wireless Internet$30-$8020 Mbps to 320 MbpsNone (Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, Straight Talk)
300GB-1.5TB (UScellular)
None for service
Traditional Internet$55-$25025 Mbps to 5 GigNoneSome require none; others require a year.

As you can see, fixed wireless internet plans are cheaper, but you’ll experience slower download speeds. However, you’ll be able to avoid annual contracts, credit checks, and in the case of Straight Talk Wireless, have more payment options including cash.

Of course, Straight Talk Wireless isn’t the first or only cell phone service provider to offer fixed wireless home internet. You’ll also find options from AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon and UScellular

Let’s take a closer look at a few key features from each provider’s home internet options

ProviderStarting Monthly Price5G AccessDownload SpeedsMonthly Data Limit
Verizon Wireless$35 with an eligible cell phone plan
$50 without a cell phone plan
Yes25-50 Mbps (LTE)
High-speed 5G
None
T-Mobile$40 with an eligible cell phone plan
$60 without a cell phone plan
Yes70 – 320 MbpsNone
AT&T$35 with a cell phone plan
$55 without a cell phone plan
Yes40-140 MbpsNone
UScellular$50 with autopay & paperless discountsYes (Unlimited Even Better)Varies300GB-1.5TB
Straight Talk$45Yes20-50 Mbps (4G/LTE)
20-100 Mbps (5G)
None

Straight Talk falls on the cheaper side of fixed wireless internet plans, but keep in mind there is an initial fee of $99 for the router. The other plans that require you to pay for something in addition to the actual service are AT&T ($99 for installation) and UScellular ($5.50 per month to use the company’s router if you don’t already have your own.) Verizon and T-Mobile’s plans include a router for free.

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While speeds vary greatly from one area to the next, Straight Talk is capable of providing high download speeds compared to other fixed wireless plans. Plus, there’s no monthly data limit like you’ll see with AT&T or UScellular.

If you’re thinking about trying out a fixed wireless internet plan, it’s important to know which providers offer service in your area. The best way to find out is by visiting each provider’s website and entering your address. Then, you can more closely compare the available options. 

For a closer look at fixed wireless internet including the plans available from AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon and UScellular, check out our full guide to fixed wireless internet here.

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