T-Mobile Internet for $20 a Month

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T-Mobile · Low-Cost & Free Internet Options · Lifeline · Project 10Million

The $20/month T-Mobile internet figure that spread widely came from a federal discount program that has since ended. But lower-cost internet through T-Mobile is still real — through Lifeline, through Project 10Million for families with school-age kids, through bundle pricing, and for some through completely free hotspot service. This guide explains every current option clearly, so you know exactly what’s available at your address and what you actually qualify for.

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Important Update — What Happened to the $20 Plan

The $20/month T-Mobile internet deal originated from the federal Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which gave qualifying low-income households a $30/month discount — bringing a $50 T-Mobile plan down to $20. That program ended in May 2024 and has not been renewed by Congress. T-Mobile itself never offered a permanent $20 standalone internet plan. The current lowest home internet price from T-Mobile without any government subsidy is $35/month (with AutoPay and a T-Mobile phone line bundled) or $50/month standalone. Separate assistance programs — Lifeline and Project 10Million — can still reduce costs meaningfully for those who qualify.

💡 The Real Picture — Cutting Through the Confusion

When people search for “$20 a month T-Mobile internet,” they’re usually coming from one of three places: they saw an old ad, they heard about it from a neighbor who was on the ACP discount before it ended, or they’re genuinely looking for the cheapest possible way to get connected. All three situations deserve an honest answer. The federal Affordable Connectivity Program helped nearly 23 million households get affordable broadband — and its end left a real gap. T-Mobile’s current plans start at $35/month with the phone bundle or $50/month standalone, both far more affordable than many cable alternatives. But for households that qualify, the federal Lifeline program still shaves up to $9.25 off any monthly bill, T-Mobile’s Project 10Million still provides completely free hotspot internet to qualifying families with K-12 students, and some state-level broadband assistance programs have stepped in to fill part of the gap left by the ACP. The guide below covers all of it.

📋 Key Questions — Answered Directly

The questions below address what people searching for $20/month T-Mobile internet are actually trying to figure out — including whether there’s something they’re missing, what’s changed, and what their real options are today.

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Does T-Mobile have a $20 a month internet plan? Not currently — the $20 price came from a federal ACP discount that ended May 2024 · Lowest current home internet price: $35/mo with bundle · $50/mo standalone · Lifeline discount ($9.25/mo off) available to qualifying low-income households
There is no $20 standalone T-Mobile internet plan available today. The $20 figure circulated widely because Metro by T-Mobile ran regional promotions advertising home internet for $20 after applying the federal Affordable Connectivity Program’s $30 monthly discount — bringing the standard $50 rate down to $20 for qualifying subscribers. The ACP ended in May 2024 when Congress did not renew the $14.2 billion fund. T-Mobile did not introduce a replacement program for home internet customers. The cheapest way to get T-Mobile home internet today is $35/month — that’s the Rely plan with AutoPay set up through a bank account or debit card, combined with an active T-Mobile postpaid phone line on the same account. Without the phone bundle, it’s $50/month. If you qualify for the federal Lifeline program, that $9.25 monthly discount can still apply to your phone or internet bill — bringing a standalone $50 plan down to roughly $41/month for those who are eligible.
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Does T-Mobile have a $25 or $30 per month internet plan? No — T-Mobile’s lowest home internet price is $35/mo (with bundle + AutoPay) or $50/mo standalone · Metro by T-Mobile phone plans start at $25–$30/mo, but those are phone plans, not home internet
The confusion around $25 and $30 prices usually comes from mixing up phone plans and home internet plans. Metro by T-Mobile — T-Mobile’s prepaid brand — offers cell phone plans starting around $25–$30 per month for phone service, which includes calling, texting, and mobile data. Those are not home broadband plans — they’re for your smartphone. Home internet from T-Mobile is a separate service delivered through a gateway device in your home; it’s not the same thing as mobile phone data, and the pricing is entirely separate. The closest you can get to a sub-$35 home internet rate from T-Mobile today is by qualifying for the federal Lifeline program ($9.25/month discount applied to a standalone plan), which would bring the effective cost to around $41/month before taxes. Households on Tribal lands qualify for an enhanced Lifeline discount of up to $34.25/month — which would effectively make a $50 plan available for about $16/month for those who qualify and live on Tribal lands.
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Is T-Mobile internet really $50 a month — what does that actually cover? $50/mo standalone (AutoPay with bank/debit) · $35/mo with T-Mobile phone bundle · Includes: gateway device, unlimited data, no contracts, 5-year price guarantee · Add taxes (varies by state) and one-time $35 device connection fee
The $50/month standalone Rely plan from T-Mobile is genuinely all-in for the most part: the 5G gateway arrives by mail at no upfront cost, there are no monthly equipment rental fees, no data overage charges, and no early termination fee. You do pay a one-time $35 device connection charge when you activate — that’s the only upfront cost. After that, your monthly bill is the plan rate plus state and local taxes, which typically add $3–$10 depending on where you live. The plan includes unlimited data with a practical ceiling: if you use more than 1.2 terabytes in a month, T-Mobile may slow your speeds during periods of network congestion, but there is no hard cap and no extra charge. Speeds on the Rely plan are capped at 354 Mbps for new subscribers — more than enough for a typical household doing streaming, video calls, and everyday browsing. T-Mobile’s 5-year price guarantee means the base monthly data rate won’t increase for at least five years from your activation date (taxes and fees can still change). There is a 15-day money-back trial: if performance at your address disappoints, you can return the gateway within 15 days for a full refund.
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What is the Lifeline program and how much can it reduce my T-Mobile internet bill? Federal FCC program · Up to $9.25/month discount on phone or internet · Up to $34.25/month on Tribal lands · Requires income at or below 135% of federal poverty level OR participation in SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, Veterans Pension, or other qualifying programs · One benefit per household
Lifeline is a federal program run by the FCC and administered by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) that has existed since 1985. It provides qualifying low-income households a monthly discount on either phone or internet service — not both simultaneously. The standard discount is $9.25 per month; on Tribal lands the benefit rises to $34.25 per month. Eligibility works two ways: your household income must be at or below 135% of the federal poverty guidelines, or someone in your household must participate in a qualifying assistance program. Qualifying programs include SNAP (food stamps), Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Federal Public Housing Assistance, Veterans Pension or Survivors Benefit, and several others. T-Mobile participates in Lifeline through its Assurance Wireless brand. You apply through the National Verifier system at lifelinesupport.org — it’s free, and the application can be completed online, by mail, or in person at a participating provider. Eligibility must be renewed annually. If approved, the discount applies automatically to your monthly bill. Important: only one Lifeline discount is allowed per household, regardless of how many people live there.
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Can I get completely free T-Mobile internet if I have a child in grades K–12? Yes — T-Mobile Project 10Million provides a free hotspot + 200 GB of data per year for 5 years · Zero monthly cost · Requires a K-12 student in the household who qualifies for the National School Lunch Program or another qualifying assistance program
Project 10Million is one of the most significant free internet programs available in the U.S. today. T-Mobile provides eligible households with a free mobile hotspot device plus 200 gigabytes of data per year — automatically renewing for five years with no re-certification required. There is no monthly fee, no contract, and no cost to apply. The hotspot connects multiple devices simultaneously, making it viable for an entire household doing homework, streaming, and video calls. Eligibility centers on having a K-12 student in the household who is enrolled in the National School Lunch Program (free or reduced-price lunch) or another qualifying assistance program such as SNAP, Medicaid, or others. You apply through T-Mobile’s official Project 10Million page — the process takes about five minutes, requires proof of program participation dated within the past year, and the hotspot ships free directly to your home. T-Mobile has connected over 6.7 million students through this program. One limitation: the program is not available in Alaska, American Samoa, Guam, or the Northern Mariana Islands. If you hit the 200 GB annual cap before the year resets, you can purchase additional data at $10 per 10 GB.
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T-Mobile internet plans for seniors — are there any senior-specific discounts? No dedicated internet-only senior discount · However: seniors who qualify for Lifeline (income-based or SSI/Medicaid) get $9.25/month off · T-Mobile’s 55+ Essentials Choice phone plan unlocks the $35/month internet bundle price · No upfront hardware costs on any plan
T-Mobile does not offer a senior-exclusive home internet discount based on age alone. What does exist for older adults is a combination of programs that, when stacked correctly, can meaningfully reduce costs. First, the Essentials Choice 55 phone plan — designed for customers aged 55 and older (currently available in select states) — qualifies as the T-Mobile postpaid voice line needed to unlock the $15/month bundle discount on home internet. Paired together, a senior on the 55+ phone plan could bring home internet down to $35/month. Second, seniors who receive SSI (Supplemental Security Income) automatically qualify for the federal Lifeline program’s $9.25 monthly discount on phone or internet — applying that to a standalone $50/month internet plan brings it to roughly $41/month. Third, seniors who live in Tribal land communities can qualify for a Lifeline discount of up to $34.25/month — enough to make a basic plan nearly free. For seniors who don’t qualify for any assistance program and who aren’t T-Mobile phone customers, the standalone $50/month Rely plan remains straightforward: no equipment fees, no contracts, no annual price hikes for five years, and simple self-setup. Contact your state’s broadband office or visit broadbandusa.ntia.gov to check for any state-level assistance programs active in your area.
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How does T-Mobile home internet compare to other low-cost options? T-Mobile Rely: $35–$50/mo · Xfinity Internet Essentials: $14.95/mo (income-qualified) · AT&T Access: $20–$30/mo (income-qualified) · Spectrum Internet Assist: ~$24.99/mo (income-qualified) · T-Mobile is the most accessible without income qualification
For households that don’t meet income thresholds for special programs, T-Mobile at $35–$50/month is genuinely competitive — especially because it requires no equipment purchase, no annual contract, and no installation fee. For households that do qualify for income-based programs, a few other providers offer lower starting prices: Xfinity Internet Essentials runs $14.95/month for qualifying households (SNAP, Medicaid, housing assistance recipients) and provides 50 Mbps download speeds. AT&T Access offers plans starting around $20–$30/month for SNAP or similar program participants in areas where AT&T infrastructure exists. Spectrum Internet Assist is available for around $24.99/month in qualifying situations. These cable-based programs require existing infrastructure at your address — they’re not available everywhere, and they require active enrollment in qualifying programs. T-Mobile’s strength is that anyone with a qualifying address can sign up without income documentation, and the 5G gateway works where cable infrastructure doesn’t exist. The 15-day trial makes it easy to test without financial risk.
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Will T-Mobile or the federal government bring back the $30 internet discount? No confirmed plans to reinstate ACP as of now · Several bills proposed in Congress, none passed · Some states launched their own broadband subsidy programs · T-Mobile has not announced an internal ACP replacement for home internet customers
The Affordable Connectivity Program ended in May 2024 after Congress failed to approve the $7 billion in additional funding that would have extended it. Several proposals to revive the program were introduced in the House and Senate, but none moved through both chambers. As of now, there is no federally funded ACP replacement in effect. What has happened in the meantime: roughly a dozen states launched their own broadband affordability programs with varying benefit amounts and eligibility rules. Some have ongoing enrollment; others have exhausted initial funding. To check whether your state has an active program, visit broadbandusa.ntia.gov — it maintains links to state-level broadband offices and any active subsidy programs by state. At the federal level, the Lifeline program continues operating as it has since 1985, providing the $9.25 monthly discount to qualifying households. Some advocates in the broadband access community continue pushing for ACP reinstatement, particularly following research showing significant internet disconnection rates in lower-income households after the program ended. Whether Congress will act remains uncertain.

💰 Current Options — What You Actually Pay & Who Qualifies

The table below shows every realistic way to access T-Mobile internet at a reduced or zero cost, along with the standard plans for comparison. Prices shown are effective monthly rates before state and local taxes.

Option	Monthly Cost	Who Qualifies	What You Get
Project 10Million FREE	$0/moFree for 5 years · $10/10GB if cap hit	K-12 student in household enrolled in NSLP, SNAP, Medicaid, or similar program	Free hotspot device · 200 GB/year · Auto-renews 5 years · No contracts
Rely + Lifeline Tribal	~$16/mo$50/mo minus $34.25 Lifeline benefit	Low-income households on federally recognized Tribal lands — income ≤135% FPG or qualifying programs	T-Mobile 5G gateway · Unlimited data · Up to 354 Mbps · No contract
Rely + Bundle Most Accessible	$35/moAutoPay (bank/debit) + T-Mobile phone line	Anyone with T-Mobile postpaid phone service + bank/debit AutoPay	5G gateway · Unlimited data · 354 Mbps · 5-year price guarantee · No contracts
Rely + Lifeline Standard	~$41/mo$50/mo minus $9.25 Lifeline discount	Income ≤135% federal poverty level OR participation in SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, Veterans Pension, etc.	T-Mobile 5G home internet · Unlimited data · No contracts
Rely (Standalone)	$50/moAutoPay with bank/debit · No phone bundle needed	Anyone at a covered address — no qualifying program required	Gateway included · Unlimited data · 354 Mbps · 15-day trial · 5-year price guarantee
Amplified (Standalone)	$60/moOr $45/mo with T-Mobile phone bundle	Anyone at a covered address	Wi-Fi 7 gateway · Uncapped speeds up to 498 Mbps · Advanced Cyber Security
All-In (Standalone)	$70/moOr $55/mo with T-Mobile phone bundle	Anyone at a covered address	Wi-Fi 7 gateway + mesh extender · Hulu + Paramount+ included · 24/7 live tech support

⚠️ One-Time Costs and Fine Print to Know First

All T-Mobile home internet plans have a one-time $35 device connection charge at activation (except Project 10Million, which is free). State and local taxes are added monthly — typically $3–$10 depending on your state. The $35 bundle rate requires AutoPay set up with a bank account or debit card; using a credit card instead adds $10/month. Lifeline benefits cannot be applied to bundled phone + internet packages simultaneously — you apply it to one or the other.

📊 T-Mobile vs. Other Low-Cost Internet Options

📶 T-Mobile Rely (Bundle)

$35/mo

No income requirement · No equipment fees · No contracts · 354 Mbps · 5-year price lock · Requires T-Mobile phone line · Available at 70M+ households

🏠 Xfinity Internet Essentials

$14.95/mo

Income-qualified only (SNAP, Medicaid, housing assistance) · 50 Mbps · Available where Xfinity cable exists · No contract · Application required

🔵 AT&T Access Program

$20–$30/mo

SNAP participants or households with income ≤200% FPG · Up to 100 Mbps · Available where AT&T fiber or DSL exists · Application required · No credit check

🟣 Spectrum Internet Assist

~$24.99/mo

Qualifying households in Spectrum service areas · 30 Mbps · No contracts · Requires participation in qualifying assistance programs · Cable infrastructure needed

🔍 What’s the Best Option for Your Situation?

I receive SNAP, Medicaid, or SSI — what’s the lowest I can pay for T-Mobile internet?

SNAP · MEDICAID · SSI

If you’re on SNAP, Medicaid, or SSI, you automatically qualify for the federal Lifeline program — and if you have a K-12 child in the household, you qualify for free Project 10Million internet instead. For adults without school-age children: apply for Lifeline at lifelinesupport.org (free to apply, takes 10–15 minutes online). Once approved, the $9.25/month discount applies to your T-Mobile bill, bringing a standalone $50/month Rely plan to roughly $41/month. You can’t apply Lifeline on top of the $35 bundle price — you choose one discount mechanism. Before applying Lifeline to home internet, consider whether applying it to your phone bill instead makes more overall sense for your budget. For households with K-12 students who receive free or reduced school lunch: skip Lifeline entirely and go straight to Project 10Million for completely free internet — that’s the better deal by a wide margin. Apply at t-mobile.com/brand/project-10-million. Proof of your SNAP or Medicaid enrollment (dated within the past year) serves as your eligibility documentation for both programs.

🆓 K-12 student in household: apply for free Project 10Million first 💰 Adults only: Lifeline brings $50/mo down to ~$41/mo 📋 Apply Lifeline: lifelinesupport.org — free, 10–15 min online ⚠️ Can’t combine Lifeline with the $35 phone bundle price

I have a child in K–12 school — how do I get the free hotspot and is it actually useful?

PARENTS · K–12 STUDENTS

Project 10Million is legitimate, free, and more useful than many people expect — one hotspot covers an entire household, not just one student’s device. The hotspot is a physical device (about the size of a deck of cards) that broadcasts a Wi-Fi network your whole family can connect to — computers, tablets, phones, and smart TVs all work with it simultaneously, just like your home router. The free 200 GB of data per year is enough for a light-to-moderate household: doing homework online, video calling teachers, streaming YouTube at lower resolution, and general browsing. It is not ideal for heavy 4K streaming on multiple televisions simultaneously or gaming at high data rates — you’d hit the 200 GB limit faster. To apply: go to t-mobile.com/brand/project-10-million, fill out the form with your child’s school enrollment information and proof of program participation (your SNAP card, school lunch program letter, Medicaid card, etc.), and the hotspot arrives at your door in 3–5 business days. You do not need to be a T-Mobile customer. You do not need to have any existing internet service. If your state has reached its allocation, apply anyway — new allocations open each July 1. Call your school’s principal or counselor to check if they’re enrolled in the school-district version of the program, which sometimes has additional capacity.

🏠 One hotspot works for the whole household — not student-only 📦 Ships in 3–5 days, no T-Mobile account required 📚 Apply: t-mobile.com/brand/project-10-million 📞 School counselor can also connect families in the district program

I’m on a fixed income and don’t qualify for SNAP or Medicaid — what are my options?

FIXED INCOME · SENIORS · RETIRED

Fixed income doesn’t automatically disqualify you from Lifeline — if your total household income is at or below 135% of the federal poverty guidelines, you qualify regardless of what programs you’re enrolled in. For a single-person household, 135% of the federal poverty level is around $20,000 annually; for a two-person household, around $27,000. Social Security retirement income counts toward your household income total — if your combined Social Security and any other income stays below the threshold, you qualify. Veterans who receive a Veterans Pension or Survivors Benefit automatically qualify for Lifeline regardless of income. Check your eligibility free at lifelinesupport.org by clicking “Check My Eligibility.” Beyond Lifeline, check your state’s current broadband assistance programs: at least a dozen states launched their own programs after the ACP ended, some with higher discount amounts than federal Lifeline. Visit broadbandusa.ntia.gov and select your state to see active programs. If you prefer in-person help applying for any of these programs, T-Mobile retail stores and many public libraries offer assistance navigating both Lifeline and local subsidy applications.

💡 Income-based Lifeline: check at lifelinesupport.org 🎖️ Veterans Pension / Survivors Benefit = automatic Lifeline eligibility 🏛️ State programs: broadbandusa.ntia.gov → your state 🏪 T-Mobile store or public library: free help applying

I just want the cheapest T-Mobile internet without applying for any program — what do I do?

NO PAPERWORK · EASIEST PATH

The simplest path to the lowest T-Mobile internet price without any application process: sign up for a T-Mobile postpaid phone plan (or transfer your existing phone service to T-Mobile) and add 5G Home Internet to the same account with bank/debit AutoPay. That gets you the Rely plan at $35/month — the lowest non-subsidized price T-Mobile offers for home internet. If switching your phone plan to T-Mobile makes financial sense compared to what you currently pay, the combined phone + internet bundle from T-Mobile is often cheaper than paying two separate providers. There’s no income documentation, no annual re-certification, and no application process beyond the normal online signup. You also get a 15-day money-back trial on the internet service — if T-Mobile’s 5G signal at your home is weak or speeds aren’t what you need, return the gateway within 15 days for a full refund of the device connection charge and any service fees paid. Always check whether T-Mobile service is available at your address first at t-mobile.com/home-internet before ordering, since 5G coverage can vary significantly even within the same city.

📱 Add T-Mobile phone line + home internet = $35/mo effective ✅ No paperwork, no income verification, no application 🔄 15-day money-back trial — no risk to test at your address 💳 Use bank account or debit card for AutoPay — credit card adds $10/mo

I had the $20 ACP discount and it ended — what are my best replacement options?

FORMER ACP CUSTOMERS

If you were one of the 23 million households that lost internet affordability when the ACP ended, the path forward depends on what programs you’re enrolled in now. Step one: check if you still qualify for Lifeline — the income threshold (135% of federal poverty guidelines) is stricter than ACP’s was (200%), so some former ACP recipients don’t qualify. Apply free at lifelinesupport.org. Step two: if your household has a K-12 student who qualifies for free or reduced school lunch, Project 10Million is your best option — free hotspot internet for five years, no monthly bill at all. Step three: check whether your state has launched a broadband subsidy program since the ACP ended. Several states — including California, Illinois, New Mexico, and others — stood up their own programs, some of which offer higher discounts than federal Lifeline. Visit broadbandusa.ntia.gov to see state-level programs. Step four: if none of the above apply, T-Mobile’s bundle pricing at $35/month (with phone plan) or $50/month (standalone) is still meaningfully cheaper than many cable alternatives, with the added benefit of no price increases guaranteed for five years. The National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA) at digitalinclusion.org also maintains updated resources on local digital equity programs and internet cost assistance by region.

🔍 Check Lifeline eligibility first: lifelinesupport.org 🆓 K-12 student at home? Apply Project 10Million instead 🏛️ State programs: broadbandusa.ntia.gov → your state 🤝 Local resources: digitalinclusion.org for area-specific help

📍 Find Help and Check Availability Near You

Use the buttons below to find a T-Mobile store, a public library that can help you apply for Lifeline, or internet providers near you. Always confirm coverage at your specific address at t-mobile.com/home-internet before signing up.

🔑 Quick Reference — Every Link You Need

🌐 T-Mobile home internet: t-mobile.com/home-internet 🆓 Project 10Million (free K-12 internet): t-mobile.com/brand/project-10-million 📋 Lifeline program: lifelinesupport.org 🏛️ State broadband programs: broadbandusa.ntia.gov 🗺️ FCC broadband map: broadbandmap.fcc.gov 📱 T-Life app (manage T-Mobile service): App Store / Google Play 💬 T-Mobile support: t-mobile.com/support 🤝 Digital equity resources: digitalinclusion.org 📞 Lifeline support line: 1-800-234-9473 🔄 15-day trial: return gateway for full refund within 15 days

✅ Step-by-Step — Finding the Lowest Price You Actually Qualify For

Step 1: If there is a K-12 student in your household who receives free or reduced school lunch — go straight to Project 10Million (t-mobile.com/brand/project-10-million). It’s completely free internet for five years. This beats every other option by far.
Step 2: If you receive SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, or a Veterans Pension — apply for Lifeline at lifelinesupport.org. The $9.25/month discount (or $34.25 on Tribal lands) applies to your T-Mobile internet or phone bill automatically after approval.
Step 3: Check for state broadband assistance programs in your state at broadbandusa.ntia.gov. Some states offer larger monthly discounts than federal Lifeline, and some have income thresholds higher than Lifeline’s 135% FPG.
Step 4: If you already have — or can switch to — a T-Mobile postpaid phone plan, add home internet on the same account with bank/debit AutoPay to get the Rely plan at $35/month. Check your address first at t-mobile.com/home-internet.
Step 5: If none of the above apply, the standalone Rely plan at $50/month has no equipment fees, no contracts, a 5-year price guarantee, and a 15-day money-back trial. It’s a lower total cost than many cable plans that advertise lower teaser prices but raise rates after 12 months.

T-Mobile pricing, plan terms, promotional offers, and program availability are set by T-Mobile USA and are subject to change. The Affordable Connectivity Program ended in May 2024 and is not currently active. Lifeline is a federal FCC program; eligibility and benefit amounts are set by the FCC and USAC, not by T-Mobile. Project 10Million eligibility and data amounts are set by T-Mobile and subject to change. State broadband program availability varies by state. Prices shown reflect current U.S. rates and may not reflect your specific address, taxes, or fees. Always verify your exact price at t-mobile.com/home-internet before ordering. This page has no affiliation with T-Mobile USA, the FCC, USAC, or any government agency.

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