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NetZero is a legacy U.S. internet brand best known for dial‑up access and email. As of 2025, NetZero does not sell 4G/LTE mobile broadband or hotspot plans; its consumer lineup centers on dial‑up (including a free 10‑hours/month tier) and limited DSL via partner networks, with no active 4G/mobile product pages on its official site or in major provider directories (NetZero; BroadbandNow; Allconnect). Historically, “NetZero Mobile Broadband” launched on Clearwire/Sprint’s WiMAX network in 2012 and effectively ended when WiMAX was shut down in 2015 (PCMag; PCWorld).
Pros
Free plan available
Option to bring your own device
Cons
Free plan requires hotspot purchase
Monthly data caps at 8 GB
NetZero Dial‑Up Plans, Pricing, and Modern Alternatives
| Plan | Price | Monthly Data | Connection Type | Best for |
| Free Dial‑Up (10 hours/month) | $0 | 10 hours/month | Dial‑up internet | Email and basic, occasional browsing (NetZero Dial‑Up) |
| HiSpeed (Accelerated) Dial‑Up | Varies; see site | Unlimited access (compression/optimization) | Dial‑up (accelerated proxy) | Light browsing and email; not for streaming (NetZero Dial‑Up) |
| Unlimited Dial‑Up | Varies; see site | Unlimited access | Dial‑up internet | Single user doing basic tasks (NetZero Dial‑Up) |
| DSL (where available) | Varies by location | Varies by partner | DSL via partner networks | Basic web tasks; limited availability (BroadbandNow) |
| 5G Home Internet (alternatives) — T‑Mobile, Verizon, AT&T Internet Air | Typically ~$50–$60/mo | Varies by provider | 5G fixed wireless | General home use; self‑install (T‑Mobile Home Internet; Verizon 5G Home; AT&T Internet Air) |
* Data current as of 2025. NetZero does not market 4G/mobile broadband plans; current access options focus on dial‑up and limited DSL (NetZero; Allconnect).
For current NetZero dial‑up options and availability, click here to learn more from our partner site, Allconnect. You can also verify directly on NetZero’s official site and directories like BroadbandNow.
Estimated Speeds
NetZero’s access service today is dial‑up over a standard phone line, which operates at up to 56 kbps (0.056 Mbps). “Accelerated” dial‑up reduces page sizes via compression but does not change the underlying line rate (NetZero Dial‑Up). By comparison, current fixed‑wireless and fiber options advertise far higher speeds: Verizon 5G Home lists typical downloads around 85–300 Mbps (5G Home) and about 300–1,000 Mbps (5G Home Plus), while AT&T Internet Air cites roughly 75–225 Mbps typical downloads; fiber tiers from Verizon Fios and AT&T Fiber commonly range from 300 Mbps to multi‑gigabit. That’s thousands to tens of thousands of times faster than 56 kbps, depending on the tier. T‑Mobile Home Internet is another major 5G fixed‑wireless alternative with address‑based availability and pricing typically around $50/month.
NetZero Hotspot
NetZero no longer sells a mobile hotspot or 4G data plans. The “NetZero 4G Hotspot” many recall was a WiMAX‑based device introduced in 2012 and became obsolete after the underlying network was shut down in 2015 (PCMag review; WiMAX shutdown). If you need a hotspot today, consider current 5G models from national carriers, such as AT&T’s Netgear Nighthawk M6 Pro, T‑Mobile’s Inseego MiFi X Pro 5G, or Verizon’s Orbic Speed 5G UW.
Pricing
NetZero’s current entry option is Free Dial‑Up (10 hours/month at $0). Paid dial‑up tiers, including “HiSpeed” (accelerated) and unlimited dial‑up, are available with pricing shown at sign‑up and vary by location. For broadband‑class speeds, look to alternatives typically priced around $50–$60/month such as T‑Mobile Home Internet, Verizon 5G Home Internet, or AT&T Internet Air; fiber tiers from AT&T and others offer higher performance where available.
Who is each plan best for?
| Free Dial‑Up (10 hours) | Best for one person, occasional email/basic sites; no streaming or video calls |
| HiSpeed/Unlimited Dial‑Up | Best for one person needing regular email and light browsing; acceleration compresses pages but doesn’t raise 56 kbps line speed (NetZero Dial‑Up) |
| DSL (where available) | Best for basic tasks for one user or small household; availability and performance vary by line quality (BroadbandNow) |
| 5G Home Internet (alternatives) | Best for general home use with typical speeds in the tens to hundreds of Mbps, depending on address (Verizon; AT&T Internet Air; T‑Mobile) |
| Fiber (alternatives) | Best for heavy use (multi‑device streaming, gaming, video conferencing); common tiers 300 Mbps to multi‑gigabit (Verizon Fios; AT&T Fiber) |
Internet Availability
There is no active NetZero 4G/mobile broadband footprint in 2025. NetZero’s primary access service is dial‑up, which works where you have a phone line and a local access number; any DSL is location‑dependent. Check current options on the website and cross‑reference directories like BroadbandNow or Allconnect. The historical “NetZero 4G” offering ended after Sprint/Clearwire’s WiMAX network shutdown in 2015 (Ars Technica).
Other Factors to Consider
NetZero’s dial‑up plans are simple to start or stop and require a compatible phone line and 56k modem; there is no current NetZero mobile hotspot or 4G service (NetZero Dial‑Up). If you need broadband speeds, compare modern fiber and 5G fixed‑wireless options at your address.
Watch for fees and disclosures when evaluating alternatives. The FCC’s standardized Broadband Consumer Labels became mandatory in 2024 and must clearly show the full monthly price, common fees (e.g., equipment, activation, data caps), promotional terms, and contract length. California’s all‑in pricing law (SB 478) also requires advertised prices to include mandatory fees. For video providers, the FCC banned early termination fees in 2024 and requires prorated credits/refunds on cancellation (FCC video “junk fees” rules). Use these disclosures to compare providers like AT&T, Verizon, and T‑Mobile alongside any local options.
NetZero vs. Other Providers
| Starting Price | Availability | Download Speeds | Connection | Contract | |
| NetZero | $0 (Free Dial‑Up) | Nationwide dial‑up (phone line + local access number) | Up to 56 kbps | Dial‑up internet | None |
| AT&T | Internet Air typically mid‑$50s; Fiber varies by tier | Address‑dependent | Internet Air: ~75–225 Mbps (typical); Fiber: 300 Mbps–5 GIG | 5G fixed wireless; Fiber | None required |
| FreedomPop | $0 (Free eSIM plan) | Nationwide (device/eSIM and host network coverage) | Very small monthly allotment; speeds vary by host network | Mobile plan (eSIM) | None |
| Verizon Wireless | Typically $50–$60 standalone (5G Home) | Address‑dependent | 5G Home: ~85–300 Mbps; 5G Home Plus: ~300–1,000 Mbps; Fios fiber up to 2 Gig | 5G fixed wireless; Fiber (Fios) in select areas | None required |
| T‑Mobile Home Internet | Typically ~$50/month | Address‑dependent | Varies by address and network capacity | 5G fixed wireless | None required |
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