T-Mobile Away: Everything You Need To Know

T-Mobile Away offers two types of plans, with the different price tiers based on the amount of monthly data you get. The regular Away plan starts at $110 per month for a data cap of 200GB, or you can pay $160 per month for the Away Unlimited Plan that comes with unlimited data. Both plans are capable of delivering respectable download speeds: 77Mbps–292Mbps on a 5G network, or 37Mbps–119Mbps on a 4G network. But speeds vary depending on your location.

Just like other 5G Home Internet plans offered by T-Mobile, Away uses T-Mobile’s cellular network for mobile phones—so Away works in the same places where you can get service on your cell phone. If you decide to take a break from traveling, you can also pause your plan for up to 90 days twice a year for $10 per month.

Many RVers have long lauded T-Mobile for its comparatively cheaper 5G Home Internet plan. In the past, the carrier has turned a blind eye to customers who used the internet service at multiple addresses rather than just one fixed location. Technically, 5G Home Internet isn’t supposed to be used that way, according to a T-Mobile spokesperson. “Home Internet plans are for customers who need Wi-Fi in a fixed location at specific home addresses,” the spokesperson says.

The T-Mobile Away is a pricier package that ensures you can use the service wherever you need. Of course, you can save quite a bit of money by sticking to your phone’s hotspot or a mobile hotspot to get internet on the road. However, hotspots come with strict data limits and usually have slower speeds. And T-Mobile Away also costs way less than Starlink Roam and Starlink Mini, which come with steep equipment costs.

T-Mobile Away is joining the class of internet plans tailored to RVers or digital nomads who want something more reliable than a mobile hotspot or the nearest coffee shop with free Wi-Fi. The Away–Unlimited plan is a fairly good option compared to Starlink’s mobile internet plans, because you don’t have to shell out the steep costs for Starlink equipment—which starts at $299. In comparison, T-Mobile’s Gateway is an all-in-one router and modem and comes at no additional cost.

On T-Mobile Away, you also get more bang for your buck than a data-capped mobile hotspot plan. You can use your phone’s built-in hotspot or a standalone mobile hotspot to set up a Wi-Fi signal with cellular data, which you can then connect to multiple devices like laptops and other phones. But mobile providers tend to sell hotspot plans with low data caps, and hotspots can also drain your phone’s battery and work slowly when connected to multiple devices.

Starlink Roam and Starlink Mini both deliver an internet connection by tapping into a constellation of satellites flying in low orbit around the globe. Joe Burtoni, who is currently traveling across the country with his partner Katie Rowan in their converted 2022 Ford Transit, says he’s hesitant about using the service because it requires you to have an unobstructed view of the sky.

Also, the satellite needs to be placed far from your vehicle to not have any interruptions in your service—raising the risk that his costly satellite receiver could get pilfered when his back is turned. “You now have a $600 [Starlink] device that is very easy to steal unprotected at all times,” he explains.

T-Mobile Away customers are also likely to get higher speeds and lower latency on T-Mobile’s 5G network compared to the satellite-based Starlink, which is more susceptible to fluctuations in the connection. On the plus side, Starlink does operate in some locations where T-Mobile’s 5G network isn’t as strong. Either way, 5G and satellite plans are no match for cable or fiber—but you got to work with what you’ve got. 

If you’re not tempted to customize a sprinter van, T-Mobile’s 5G Home Internet plan offers a decent home internet service delivered via T-Mobile’s 5G cellular network. It’s not suitable for those who are changing addresses daily, but it’s a good option for students or families that are planning to move in a year or two and don’t want to be locked into a contract.

T-Mobile Away is available everywhere T-Mobile’s 5G network services. If you can get cell service, you’re likely to be able to get internet for your RV too. Check below to see if T-Mobile is available in your area.