We provide qualified schools, libraries, and nonprofit organizations with affordable 4G mobile Internet access through Sprint’s 4G LTE network at a dramatically reduced rate of $10/month paid annually in advance ($120/year).

Learn how your nonprofit can benefit from the speed, capacity, and mobility of our 4G LTE Internet service. You may also qualify for our annual Wi-Fly Grant or quarterly Connect for Success Grant. In addition, we offer donated hotspot device bundles for nonprofits through our TechSoup Partner Program, and for educators through our Digital Wish Partner Program.

Our service is available to qualified schools, libraries, and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations in our coverage area. For a detailed list of types of organizations that qualify for our service, visit our eligibility page.

No, Sprint is providing Mobile Beacon’s users with an unlimited 4G LTE data-only plan subject to Sprint’s network management policy for the unlimited LTE plan it offers its own retail customers. There are no preset data caps or overage charges.*

* Sprint’s “Quality of Service” Practices (QoS): Unlimited customers who use more than 23 GB of data during a billing cycle will be deprioritized during times and places where the Sprint network is constrained. See sprint.com/networkmanagement for details. Limited time offer. Coverage not available everywhere. Subject to availability. Eligibility restrictions and other restrictions may apply. All service plans are subject to Mobile Beacon’s Terms and Conditions located at http://www.mobilebeacon.org/legal.

The 4G LTE service plan Mobile Beacon offers is unlimited — there are no data caps or throttling under this plan. Quality of Service (QoS) is different from throttling in several ways. First, it is not automatically triggered by reaching a certain data allotment. With throttling, speeds will automatically be reduced as soon as a certain data allotment is reached, regardless of network capacity.

Sprint’s QoS is only triggered during periods of network congestion and if a user has surpassed 23 GB of data during that month. Customers may experience a temporary slowdown for a few seconds, a few minutes, a few hours, or not at all. This slowdown will cease as soon as network resources are freed up (which is re-evaluated every nanosecond). This is very different from throttling where users are subject to lower speeds for the remainder of their billing cycle.

QoS is also different from throttling in that throughput speeds are not dramatically reduced to, say, 156 Kpbs. With Sprint’s 4G LTE service, even if QoS is applied, users may still experience download speeds faster than Mobile Beacon’s previous speeds on Sprint’s WiMAX network (3-6 Mpbs).

We offer a choice of mobile or fixed 4G LTE devices to give you access when and where you need it. It depends on where you need to connect and how many devices you need to connect.

• If you need mobile access and the flexibility of being able to connect multiple devices or users simultaneously, our LTE mobile hotspots are the best option for you.
  • The ZTE Warp Connect® is an affordable and convenient way to stay connected. The 4G LTE hotspot connects up to 10 Wi-Fi enabled devices and with a battery life of up to 10 hours. Additionally, the ZTE features include full color display, the ability to attach an external antenna (not included) to strengthen signal, and tethering capability, which would allow you to connect non-Wi-Fi friendly devices. The ZTE Warp Connect is great for on-the-go access within our 4G LTE coverage area.
  • The Franklin R910 connects up to 10 Wi-Fi devices to our blazing-fast 3G/4G LTE network. Stay connected almost anywhere with the R910 Wi-Fi Mobile Hotspot. This pocket-sized device provides mobile, 4G LTE connectivity and up to 12 hours of battery life. You can connect up to 10 Wi-Fi devices and switch seamlessly between them. Plus, a bigger battery means you can stay connected all day
• If you require the use of an Ethernet cable, the NETGEAR® Gateway 6100D (modem/router) is the best option for you. This LTE fixed wireless modem and router combines LTE broadband with 802.11ac Wi-Fi and Gigabit Ethernet for high-bandwidth enterprise applications. It has a built-in Wi-Fi router that connects up to 80 Wi-Fi devices. It also includes advanced data capabilities such as VPN support, firewall NAT and route functionality.

The ZTE Warp Connect does support the use of an external antenna, but Mobile Beacon does not offer (and has not tested) any compatible external antennas for this device. You may be able to purchase one independently from Mobile Beacon, but you are responsible for ensuring it is compatible with the device and is compliant with Mobile Beacon's LTE Customer Agreement, which includes Sprint's Acceptable Use Policy and Terms of Service.

Our service is currently provided on the Sprint 4G LTE network, which covers more than 280 million Americans in over 550 U.S. cities. For instructions on how to check coverage and view a list of cities where Sprint’s LTE service is available, visit http://www.mobilebeacon.org/lte-coverage/.

No, you do not need to make an account on Sprint.com nor do you need to register your LTE devices on Sprint.com. Accessing the Manager’s Page for your device will give you access to all of your informational or personalization needs. If you have any additional questions or concerns, please contact Mobile Beacon’s Customer Care Team at service@mobilebeacon.org.

You can easily order more devices through our online order form. Choose existing client during the order process and your new device will be added to your account.

Please contact us immediately if your device is lost or stolen. You can reach us by emailing service@mobilebeacon.org with the subject line “Lost Device” or “Stolen Device,” or you can call us at 401-934-0500. We will need the PTN and MEID (DEC) of that device in order to cancel the service and prevent unauthorized access.

If your device is deemed defective and you are within the 60-day trial period, you should email service@mobilebeacon.org with subject line “Cancellation Request” within the first 60 days following your purchase. Be sure to include the PTN and MEID (DEC) of any device you wish to cancel in your email. Someone from our Customer Care Team will email you back with information on how to return your device and receive a replacement.

If your device is deemed defective after the first 60 days, the issue may be covered during the first year under a Limited Manufacturer’s Warranty. Please contact Mobile Beacon’s Customer Care Team at 401-934-0500 and a team member will help you through this process.

If you would like to change or cancel your service plan, please email our Customer Service team at billing@mobilebeacon.org and let us know what changes you would like to make to your account. In your email, please include the PTN and MEID (DEC) of any device you need to update or cancel. This will help to expedite your request.

We know how important it is to have a reliable, mobile internet service that works for you, and we believe only you can be the judge of whether our service meets your needs. That’s why we offer a 60-Day Limited Refund Policy with any new purchase. We want to give you ample time to evaluate whether our service and device will meet your organization’s needs.

We also understand our not-for-profit clients work within limited budgets, so we recommend starting out by requesting a single device donation through our TechSoup donation program for public libraries and nonprofits, or through our Digital Wish donation program for schools, colleges, and universities. This will further reduce any upfront costs while you evaluate our service.

Mobile Beacon has a specialized team at Sprint who will handle your technical support inquiries. You may reach them at 877-879-5031 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Please provide Sprint with the personal telephone number (PTN) of the device you are calling about.

Mobile Beacon has created an online renewal system that makes renewing your service fast and easy! Approximately 30-45 days prior to your renewal date you will receive an email with a link to the online renewal site. Within the online renewal system you will have the option to:

• Review any upcoming renewals for service plans expiring in the next six months. You will be able to prepay for these upcoming renewals, defer your decision to renew, or notify us if you would like to cancel any line(s) of service at the end of your service term.
• View any upcoming cancellations (if you previously notified us that you wish to cancel a line of service at the end of a service term that has not expired yet).
• Reactivate any line(s) of service that have expired in the last 60 days (if applicable).

For your convenience you can pay directly in the renewal system by using any major credit card. Paying by credit card is the fastest method and will ensure that there will be no disruption to your service.

You also have the option to pay for your renewal by check*. Just make sure to check off the pay by check option during the renewal process. Please print out your summary email and mail it along with your check to:

Mobile Beacon
2419 Hartford Ave.
Johnston, RI 02919.

*Please note: if your check is not received and processed prior to the end date of your current service term, you may experience a lapse in service until such time as your payment is received and processed.

No. Mobile Beacon will not cancel any service plan until after the service end date has expired. If your service plan expires you will receive a cancellation notice that also includes a link to the online renewal system where you will have the option to renew any canceled lines of service.

To provide the most affordable 4G LTE unlimited internet service, Mobile Beacon currently only offers a one-year service plan.

We are sorry you are experiencing some difficulty with the online renewal system. To complete your renewal, please clear your browser cache and try the process again with different browser. If you are still having issues, please contact Mobile Beacon by emailing service@mobilebeacon.org, and our customer service team will help you complete your renewal. Please include a screenshot of the issue, what operating system you were using, what browser and its version you were on, and the error message you received. Including that specific information will help us resolve the problem. Thank you!

If your service was canceled less than 60 days ago, you can use the link provided in the cancellation summary email to reinstate your service. The subject line for this email reads: "[Account name] Your Service Has Expired". If your service was canceled more than 60 days ago, please email our Customer Service Team at service@mobilebeacon.org with the subject line: “Reactivation request for [Insert your organization’s name].” Please make sure to include the device’s MEID and PTN numbers in the body of your email. We will get in touch with you as soon as possible.

If your service was canceled less than 60 days ago, you can use the link provided in the cancellation summary email to reinstate your service. The subject line for this email reads: "[Account name] Your Service Has Expired". If you canceled service on a device more than 60 days ago, you can no longer renew that line of service using the online renewal system. However, Mobile Beacon would be happy to activate any canceled lines of service for you at any time. Please email our Customer Service Team at service@mobilebeacon.org with the subject line: “Reactivation request for [Insert your organization’s name]” please make sure to include the device’s MEID and PTN numbers in the body of your email. We will get in touch with you as soon as possible.

Mobile Beacon offers a one-year warranty on all of our devices. Do not renew a service plan for a defective device that is outside of its warranty period. You will need to order a new device with a new service plan. Please reach out to us if you have any questions by emailing service@mobilebeacon.org or calling 401.934.0500. If you are still within the warranty period you can renew that line of service, but email service@mobilebeacon.org before your warranty period to get a replacement device. The service plan will be transferred to the replacement device.

Customer safety is always our top priority. These reports are currently being investigated by our device provider, Sprint, who has also notified the device manufacturer, ZTE Corp, to ensure these issues are being investigated and tracked. These investigations are in-process, and we do not yet know the specific cause of these reports. We will keep our customers informed of any further developments.

In the meantime, we ask that you make all users of this device aware of these reports and remind them to review Sprint’s ZTE Warp Connect user guide, which contains important information about appropriate use of the device as well as precautions and signs of potential malfunctions.

The cause of these reported incidents is currently being investigated by our device supplier, Sprint, who is also working with the device manufacturer, ZTE Corp, to investigate and track this issue. Although we do not yet know the results of these investigations, we will keep all of our customers informed of any further developments.

In the meantime, we ask that you make all users of this device aware of these reports and remind them to review Sprint’s ZTE Warp Connect user guide, which contains important information about appropriate use of the device as well as precautions and signs of potential malfunctions. Please promptly alert our Customer Service Team at service@mobilebeacon.org if you encounter any issues with your ZTE Warp Connect.

If you are experiencing any issues with your ZTE Warp Connect please call our Customer Service Team right away at (401) 934-0500. If you experience an issue during our business hours (8:30 am - 5:00 pm ET, Monday-Friday), we ask that you call us first. Our team will facilitate a phone call with Sprint’s Technical Support team to ensure the issue is resolved to your satisfaction.

Mobile Beacon Customer Support:
(401) 934-0500
service@mobilebeacon.org
Available 8:30 AM – 5 PM EST, Monday – Friday

If you need to call Sprint Technical Support outside of Mobile Beacon’s business hours, please have your device available. It’s important that you record the name of the Sprint representative you spoke with and request the Interaction ID Number of the call so we can follow-up on your behalf to resolve any open issues.

Sprint Technical Support
(877) 879-5031
Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

All new or open-box devices purchased from Mobile Beacon have a limited one-year manufacturer warranty from the date that such device was shipped to you. Devices that are determined by the Sprint Care or Sprint Technical Support teams to be defective within this time period are eligible for a replacement. The replacement device will be the same or similar in price and function. If no replacement is available, we reserve the right to refund you the original purchase price of the device (excluding shipping) and any full, unused months remaining on your associated 4G LTE service plan.

Please review our Defective Device Replacement Policy in detail, which includes instructions for how to initiate a request for a replacement if you contacted Sprint Technical Support outside of our normal business hours.

If you are within the first 60 days from the date your device was shipped to you, you may return it and request a refund by emailing service@mobilebeacon.org. Please review our 60-Day Limited Refund Policy for specific instructions.

If you are outside the 60 day window, you can purchase another device from Mobile Beacon at our current rates, plus shipping and handling. Mobile Beacon will transfer any remaining months of service to the new device. If you are interested in exchanging your device, please contact our Customer Service Team at service@mobilebeacon.org.

Mobile Beacon will honor any donation fulfillments from TechSoup or Digital Wish requested during the 2018 fiscal year (July 1, 2017 - June 30, 2018). Customers can go to Mobile Beacon’s order form to order their remaining device(s). Mobile Beacon will be fulfilling these orders with a comparable device, the Franklin R910. Additional information about the R910 can be found here. If you have any difficulty completing your order, please contact our Customer Service Team at service@mobilebeacon.org.