Last verified 2026-05-17
What you get
Unlimited 4G internet on the T-Mobile network for your nonprofit, for $10 a month per hotspot. You can order up to 11 hotspots per year (TechSoup's fiscal year runs July 1 – June 30). [Source: techsoup.org/products/hotspot-for-mobile-beacon-4g-internet-service-for-nonprofits-g-51472- (accessed 2026-05-17)]
No data caps. No throttling. No overage fees. [Source: mobilebeacon.org (accessed 2026-05-17)]
What it costs
Item | Cost |
TechSoup admin fee (per 4G hotspot) | $18 standard / $9 TechSoup Plus |
Service plan, paid annually in advance | $120/year ($10/month × 12) |
Shipping & handling | Charged per hotspot at checkout |
[Source: techsoup.org/products/hotspot-for-mobile-beacon-4g-internet-service-for-nonprofits-g-51472- (accessed 2026-05-17)]
So one hotspot for a full year of unlimited data costs about $138 + shipping. That works out to roughly $11.50 a month, all-in, for unlimited data.
Who qualifies
- 501(c)(3) nonprofits
- Public libraries
- Schools
- Healthcare organizations
Any annual operating budget size is eligible. Library systems can request the full set of devices per branch. [Source: mobilebeacon.org/techsoup (accessed 2026-05-17)]
How to apply
- Register your nonprofit at TechSoup — techsoup.org. You'll need your EIN and proof of 501(c)(3) status. Verification usually takes a few business days.
- Add the Mobile Beacon hotspot to your TechSoup cart and pay the $18 (or $9) admin fee.
- Wait for the promo code — TechSoup emails you a code after the order processes.
- Order on Mobile Beacon's site using the code, and pay the $120 annual service fee + shipping.
- Device ships from Mobile Beacon — usually within a week.
Important deadline
You must request your devices and purchase service plans on Mobile Beacon's website before June 30, 2026 to count against the current fiscal year's allocation. [Source: techsoup.org/products/hotspot-for-mobile-beacon-4g-internet-service-for-nonprofits-g-51472- (accessed 2026-05-17)]
Common pitfalls
- Check coverage first. Mobile Beacon runs on T-Mobile's network. If T-Mobile coverage is weak at your site, the hotspot won't help. Verify on mobilebeacon.org's coverage map before ordering.
- The service fee is annual, paid up front. Budget for $120 per device, not $10.
- Devices are use-restricted — they're for the nonprofit's work, not personal use or resale.
- The 11-device limit resets every July 1. If you need more than 11, you wait for the next cycle.
Other options worth checking
- <page url="Free hotspot Project 10Million Direct to Parent/Guardian Eligibility | T-Mobile Support 10Million</page> — free hotspot + 200GB/year for households with K-12 students on SNAP, Medicaid, or NSLP.
- <page url="Borrow a Hotspot | Nevada County Library a hotspot from Nevada County Library</page> — free loaner for residents.
Where to get help
- TechSoup support: techsoup.org/support
- Mobile Beacon: service@mobilebeacon.org
Sources
- TechSoup product page: techsoup.org/products/hotspot-for-mobile-beacon-4g-internet-service-for-nonprofits-g-51472-
- Mobile Beacon TechSoup program: mobilebeacon.org/techsoup
- Mobile Beacon for nonprofits: techsoup.org/mobile-beacon-details
Freshness note (2026-05-30): The \$10/month (\$120/year, paid in advance) price is still current. Mobile Beacon's service now includes nationwide 5G on the T-Mobile network, not just 4G — typical 5G download speeds run ~70–320 Mbps (4G ~4–35 Mbps). The TechSoup admin fee per device can vary; check the current figure on the TechSoup product page before ordering. The June 30, 2026 fiscal-year deadline still applies. [Source: techsoup.org/mobile-beacon-details (accessed 2026-05-30)]