⚠️ 6 Mobile Hotspot Gotchas to Watch For
- Aggressive Data Throttling: HIGH "Unlimited" hotspot plans throttle severely after 15-50GB to speeds of 600kbps—barely usable for basic browsing, impossible for video calls
- Device Payment Lock-In: HIGH "Free" hotspot devices require 24-month payment plans. Leave early and you owe $200-400 for the device immediately
- Network Deprioritization: MEDIUM Hotspot traffic is often lowest priority on the network. During congestion, your speeds may drop to unusable levels
- Coverage Gaps: MEDIUM Coverage maps are optimistic. Rural and suburban areas may have poor or no coverage, and you're still obligated to pay
- Streaming Quality Caps: MEDIUM Video streaming may be limited to 480p or 720p regardless of your data allotment. No 4K streaming even with "premium" data
- Tethering vs. Hotspot Confusion: MEDIUM Phone hotspot data may be separate from (and less than) dedicated hotspot device data. Check which applies to your plan
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