Having an unlimited-data phone plan doesn’t automatically mean you have unlimited hotspot data too. Most carriers restrict hotspot data with limits like data caps, thresholds, and deprioritization. However, a few carriers offer truly unlimited hotspot data, like all of Visible’s unlimited plans.
Hotspot data vs. mobile data
Under the umbrella term of mobile data, you’ll find hotspot data. While mobile data refers to your phone's internet connectivity on a cellular network, hotspot data means the connectivity your phone can pass to other devices. Both are provided by your carrier, and let you wirelessly connect to the internet through a larger mobile network wherever you have coverage.
However, having mobile data doesn’t automatically mean you have mobile hotspot data. Hotspot data can pull from your phone plan’s mobile data, but it’s usually a separate data allowance your plan may or may not include—and oftentimes plans limit hotspot data amounts or speeds.
The same can be said for unlimited-data phone plans. While you may have unlimited data, you don’t necessarily have unlimited hotspot data too. It all comes down to what’s dictated in your plan’s fine print.
What is hotspot data?
Hotspot data, also known as tethering, lets other devices use your phone's data plan to connect to the internet. Laptops, tablets, and other Wi-Fi enabled devices share your smartphone’s internet connection just like they would use your Wi-Fi at home. So even on the go, you can quickly give any of your devices an internet connection.
Unfortunately, you’ll find mobile hotspot limits on most plans, so pay special attention to your hotspot allowance and guaranteed speeds.
Don't forget to protect your hotspot connection
Using your phone as a hotspot isn't automatically secure. Any device you tether routes its traffic through your phone's cellular connection, which is generally safer than public Wi-Fi, but that doesn't mean it's risk-free. If you're sharing your hotspot in a hotel, an airport, or anywhere public, the people around you may be able to intercept unencrypted data passing through your connection.
A VPN fixes that by encrypting everything flowing through your hotspot. It's worth having if you regularly work remotely, travel with a laptop, or share your connection with others. NordVPN and ExpressVPN are the strongest options for travelers, and Surfshark is worth a look if you want to spend less. Compare all three in our best VPN apps for travel guide before deciding.
What is unlimited data?
Unlimited is a two-fold term when talking about mobile data. On one hand, unlimited data means data that doesn’t run out, but on the other hand it doesn’t specify the quality of your endless data. So while you may have supposedly unlimited data, double-check that your speeds can handle more than just checking your email.
Unlimited is a two-fold term when talking about mobile data. On one hand, unlimited data means data that doesn’t run out, but on the other hand it doesn’t specify the quality of your endless data. So while you may have supposedly unlimited data, double-check that your speeds can handle more than just checking your email.
Does truly unlimited data exist?
Truly unlimited data does exist, but you don’t have many options currently. Most unlimited plans deprioritize your data during busy times, including Mint Mobile, but you can find a few that don’t. Just pay attention to premium and high-speed data if you don’t want slow speeds.
Visible and US Mobile offer truly unlimited premium data plans that won’t slow you down—no matter what.
- Visible offers two premium plans priced $35/month and $45/month for premium data on Verizon’s 5G and 4G LTE network.
- US Mobile gets you AT&T’s network coverage for $44/month.
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Mint Mobile
Unlimited Data Plan
$25.00/mo
$75.00 upfront payment for 3 months (equals to $25.00/month). Intro pricing for new customers only.
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Visible
$35 Visible+ Plan
$35.00/mo
Taxes & Fees included
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US Mobile
Unlimited Premium Plan (Dark Star)
$39.00/mo
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How carriers limit hotspot data
Carriers frequently limit hotspot data through:
- Deprioritization
- Throttling
- Data caps
Deprioritization: The temporary slowing of your data speeds is coined data deprioritization, and usually happens at high-trafficked times. You might experience slower speeds in the morning on the way to work or in the evening scrolling through your feed as your carrier manages all the users connected to the same network. So while you won't lose access to the internet or incur any overage charges, you might experience frustratingly slow speeds.
Throttling: Whereas data deprioritization results in temporarily slowed data speeds during network congestion, throttling refers to the intentional slowing of your data to the point that it’s essentially unusable. Your unlimited plan will typically have a guaranteed premium hotspot allowance, but when you use up that allotment, your speeds will be slowed/throttled. You might be able to use basic features on your phone, like checking your email or accessing the internet, but most data-dependent activities (such as streaming or using social media) probably won’t work.
Data caps: Throttling is common practice nowadays because most carriers don’t cut off your data or charge overage fees with data caps on unlimited data plans. Once you’ve reached your plan’s data limit, most carriers simply slow your data speeds until the next billing cycle begins.
For example, if your unlimited plan gives you a 10GB premium hotspot, once you’ve used 10GB of high-speed data in a given month, your data will be throttled to glacially slow speeds for the remainder of the month. But once you start a new pay period, your speeds will “reset” and return to high-speed data until you hit your limit again.
Hotspot data limits by carrier
| Carrier | Plan | Data | Hotspot data | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mint | Unlimited Data | Unlimited (slower speeds after 50GB) | 20GB | $30/month* |
| Visible | Visible
Visible+ Visible+ Pro |
Unlimited (premium on Visible+ and + Pro) | Unlimited (capped at 5,10,15Mbps) | $25/month |
| US Mobile | Unlimited Premium Dark Star | Unlimited (slower speeds after 100GB) | Unlimited premium | $35/month* |
| Verizon | Unlimited Ultimate | Unlimited premium | 60GB | $90/month |
| T-Mobile | Experience More | Unlimited premium | 60GB | $85/month |
| AT&T | Premium 2.0 | Unlimited premium | 100GB | $90/month |
*Beware price hikes after the introductory pricing period ends.
US Mobile’s Unlimited Premium Dark Star offers the most high-speed hotspot data before it slows, followed by Visible’s budget-conscious options. Visible stands out by offering truly unlimited hotspot data, though the 5, 10, and 15Mbps speed cap makes it best for users who prioritize constant connectivity over blazing speeds. That said, we weren’t left wanting faster speeds when we tested Visible firsthand.
The Big Three mobile carriers offer guaranteed fast speeds for hotspots, but that speed comes at a cost. Verizon and AT&T offer generous high-speed hotspot allocations, offering 60GB and 100GB of premium hotspot data respectively, though at the hefty prices of $90/month. T-Mobile offers even less premium hotspot data for a similar price as its competitors, but does offer the largest 5G network available.
On the lower end, Mint Mobile's affordable unlimited plan comes with just 20GB of hotspot data per month. Their introductory pricing makes this worth it, but the price jump after the 3-month promotional period makes it less appealing for heavy hotspot users.
How to get unlimited hotspot data
In order to get unlimited hotspot data, make sure it’s included in your phone plan (the more high-speed or premium data, the better). Most big carriers, like AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile, have a 40–60GB hotspot threshold with their unlimited plans—which in reality is more than anyone really needs. However, you don’t have to pay top-tier prices to get a hotspot that’s actually unlimited. Fan-favorite MVNOs like Visible and US Mobile offer enticingly affordable unlimited plans with generous (and even unlimited) hotspot data.
Best unlimited hotspot plans
US Mobile’s Premium Dark Star plan is our best unlimited hotspot plan because you get unlimited premium data and unlimited hotspot data that doesn't slow until you use 100GB all for the low price of $44/month—or even cheaper if you commit to a full year of service bringing the price down to $35/month. It’s rare to find a plan that offers so much for so little, and coverage on the Dark Star network (AT&T) includes 5G and 4G LTE speeds.
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US Mobile
Unlimited Premium Plan (Dark Star)
$39.00/mo
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Visible’s unlimited plans are a close second because you get an unlimited wireless hotspot for a cheaper price. Starting at just $25/month, the basic Visible plan includes unlimited hotspot data with a catch: your speeds are capped at 5Mbps. That’s enough to browse the web and answer emails, but if you want more speed, you’ll have to pay $10–$20/month more for the Visible+ or Visible+ Pro plans. Not only will you see faster hotspot speeds (still unlimited) at 10–15Mbps, but you’ll also get unlimited premium mobile data on Verizon’s 5G Ultrawideband network.
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Visible
$25 Visible Plan
$25.00/mo
Taxes & Fees included
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Visible
$35 Visible+ Plan
$35.00/mo
Taxes & Fees included
|
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Visible
$45 Visible+ Pro Plan
$45.00/mo
Taxes & Fees included
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Hotspot for home internet
A hotspot with unlimited 5G speeds can support every device in your home. If that’s appealing to you, you should consider replacing your home internet with hotspot data. And, if you still want a dedicated internet router, The Big Three now offer home internet plans using a 5G wireless signal; it’s possible but it isn’t cheap.
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T-Mobile
Rely Internet
$50/mo
5 year price guarantee. With AutoPay. Guarantee exclusions like taxes and fees apply.
+ $35 Upfront
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AT&T
Internet Air
$48/mo
Paperless billing required. Plus taxes & fees. Limited availability. May not be available in your area.
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Verizon
5G Home
$50/mo
with AutoPay
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Unlimited hotspot data: FAQs
Why isn’t my hotspot working if I have unlimited data?
Your hotspot might not be working (even if you have an unlimited data plan) because:
- You don’t have hotspot data included in your plan.
- You’ve used up your high-speed hotspot allowance and only have super slow capped speeds.
- Your plan has a limit on how many devices you can tether to.
Check your plan’s fine print and usage records to find out if any of these issues match up with your plan limits.
Will I run out of data if I use my hotspot?
Yes, using your phone’s hotspot uses your mobile data, and you will eventually run out of data. Depending on your plan, you might run out of normal mobile data or use up your hotspot data allowance. Even if you have an unlimited-data phone plan, your carrier may limit your speeds through deprioritization or throttling once you reach your monthly limit.
Example Slab Heading - h3
Yes, your hotspot works anywhere you have cellular coverage, but how well depends on your plan. Most carriers throttle hotspot speeds after a set threshold, which is a problem when travel apps need a reliable connection to function.
Road trippers especially feel this. Apps like Roadtrippers and GasBuddy pull live data constantly, and a throttled connection makes them unreliable at exactly the wrong moment.
Jessica Santero
Staff Writer
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