Summary: works on 3G (UMTS), no luck on LTE, cheap standby service.
After Millenicom was forced out of the Verizon MVNO business, I had an unused Pantech MHS291LVW "Jetpack" mobile hotspot, which is now on T-Mobile. I got a T-Mobile micro SIM on eBay (typically $5-6) and installed it. In the browser-based Pantech administration interface I went to Jetpack Settings > Advanced > Networks, set
Network type: GSM/UMTS Mode
Sub type: GSM/UMTS Dual
Network Selection: Automatic
and clicked Save Changes. In a few seconds the Pantech display showed 3G and a few bars. I browsed
http://T-Mobile.com/ConnectMe and clicked GET CONNECTED, but got
We were unable to complete your request. Please go back and try again.
If you continue to receive this message, please give us a call at 1-800-937-8997 and we'll be happy to help.
I tried a few more times, always getting the same message.
In the browser-based Pantech administration interface I went to About Jetpack > Jetpack Info and recorded the IMEI. I then phoned T-Mobile at the phone number in the error message. I asked for prepaid, got an agent, and explained that I had a Pantech WiFi hotspot I was trying to get on prepaid. The agent asked for the following: the SIM card number (20 characters printed on the back of the cardboard containing the SIM), IMEI, my desired area code for the hotspot's new phone number, a 4-digit PIN, and a birthdate. The agent took a while, but eventually told me the hotspot should work within 2 hours.
I waited 2 hours, again browsed
http://T-Mobile.com/ConnectMe and clicked GET CONNECTED, and got to the activation page. I created an account and bought a 500MB 1-day pass for $5.00. A speed test showed ping 96 ms download 1013.3 kilobytes/s upload 523.9 kB/s.
http://showip.net/ geolocated me to Jersey City, NJ even though I was far away.
https://mim.t-mobile.com/primary/openPage showed data remaining in near real time.
T-Mobile uses LTE bands 2, 4, and 12. The Pantech supports LTE bands 4, 7, and 13. I tried LTE with APN fast.t-mobile.com, but the Pantech displays "No service."
The fine print on the data purchase page says
Account suspended after 365 days of inactivity.
So, for a $5-6 micro SIM and another $5 every 364 days, I have T-Mobile 3G as an option, with on-network purchase.
