UP
Our takeEditorial$20/mo effective for AT&T's network if paid as $240 upfront. The 16 GB threshold and 1.5 Mbps post-cap are the honest limits on a plan that otherwise punches above its price.
AT&T
12-Month Unlimited Plan
7.5/10 UpPhone score
AT&T prepaid unlimited for $20/mo effective: pay $240 upfront for 12 months, get 16 GB at full speed then 1.5 Mbps after, 10 GB hotspot, and AT&T's network - with the catch that you're committing a year of service in advance.
Best for
AT&T subscribers who want Unlimited data and hotspot.
5G + LTEUnlimited Data16 GB High-Speed10 GB Hotspot
Data
Unlimited
Hotspot
10 GB
Talk / text
Unlimited
Network
5G + 4G LTE
The verdict, & two little voices
Should you actually get 12-Month Unlimited Plan?
The editor weighs in — flanked by the optimist on her shoulder and the cynic on the other.
“$20/mo for AT&T's network with a 10 GB hotspot included. Hard to beat for low-data use on a strong carrier.”
“Pay $240 now, get 16 GB/mo and 1.5 Mbps after. Walk away anytime - but the $240 stays with AT&T.”
Pricing for 12-Month Unlimited Plan
· no autopay discount publishedAutopay discount
Many carriers offer a discount with autopay + paperless billing. Prices above may already reflect this.
Prices may vary by region, promotions, and account history. Check AT&T's website for current offers.
View 12-Month Unlimited Plan Plans Line by Line
1 Line
16 GB
$20.00/mo
Our review
The AT&T Prepaid 12-Month Unlimited is a prepaid annual plan that requires paying $240 upfront for a full year of service.
That works out to $20/mo effective - a genuinely low price for AT&T's network - but the catch is the commitment structure. This is a prepaid plan, not a contract, which means there's no penalty if you stop paying. But you've paid the full year in advance, and unused months aren't refunded.
The plan delivers 16 GB of data at full 5G and LTE speeds each month; after 16 GB, speeds are slowed to a max of 1.5 Mbps for the rest of the billing cycle. A 10 GB mobile hotspot is included. Standard-definition video.
Text to 230+ countries and calls to Canada and Mexico are included. Available online only with a new single-line activation.
What we love
- $20/mo effective - among the lowest prices for AT&T's network
- 16 GB at full speed each month
- 10 GB of mobile hotspot included
- Text to 230+ countries; calls to Canada and Mexico included
- AT&T's 5G and LTE network, no credit check
- No annual contract beyond the prepaid period
What we don't
- $240 paid upfront for the full year - no refund if you switch or stop early
- After 16 GB, data slows to a max of 1.5 Mbps - OK for basic browsing but won't handle HD video or video calls reliably
- Standard-definition video streaming cap
- New single line required - no multi-line option
- Online purchase only, not available in stores
- $5 SIM kit if a physical SIM is needed
Full features
Talk + text
MinutesUnlimited
MessagesUnlimited
Intl callingMexico & Canada
Data
High-speed dataUnlimited
Hotspot10 GB
Contract
Contract type—
RoamingMexico & Canada
Frequently asked questions about 12-Month Unlimited Plan
What features does 12-Month Unlimited Plan include?
The plan includes 16 GB of data at full 5G/LTE speeds per month (then slowed to max 1.5 Mbps), 10 GB of mobile hotspot, unlimited calls to Canada and Mexico from the US, texting to 230+ countries, and AT&T ActiveArmor security. Requires a new single-line activation and purchase through AT&T's website only. Billing is annual: $240 paid upfront ($20/mo effective rate). No autopay discount - the annual structure is the pricing model. Standard-definition video.
How much data, talk, and text does 12-Month Unlimited Plan include?
16 GB of data at full AT&T 5G and LTE speeds per month. After 16 GB, speeds are slowed to a max of 1.5 Mbps for the remainder of the billing cycle. At 1.5 Mbps, basic browsing and SD video work, but HD video and video calls will struggle. Voice and text are unlimited. Calls to Canada and Mexico from the US are included. Texting to 230+ countries is included.
What is the network speed on 12-Month Unlimited Plan?
Full AT&T 5G and LTE speeds for the first 16 GB each month. After 16 GB, a max speed cap of 1.5 Mbps applies. At 1.5 Mbps: basic browsing and messaging work, standard-definition video streams adequately, but 720p or 1080p video and video calls will be unreliable. It's noticeably slower than full LTE but workable for light tasks.
Does 12-Month Unlimited Plan include mobile hotspot?
10 GB of mobile hotspot is included at full 5G/LTE speeds. The plan doesn't specify a post-cap hotspot speed, but the 10 GB is a real allowance for the monthly period. The overall 16 GB monthly data cap applies across both direct data use and hotspot use.
What happens if you exceed your data on 12-Month Unlimited Plan?
No overage charges. After the 16 GB monthly threshold, data speeds drop to 1.5 Mbps rather than extra fees. Voice and text have no limits. The annual payment structure means the plan is fully prepaid - no ongoing billing to worry about.
Does 12-Month Unlimited Plan require a contract?
This is a prepaid annual plan, not a monthly contract. The $240 is paid upfront for 12 months of service. There's no monthly billing, no credit check, and technically no early termination fee - but you don't get a refund on unused months if you stop service early. The commitment is financial, not contractual.