Helium Mobile sets out to change how phone service works. It combines traditional carrier infrastructure (via T‑Mobile) with a decentralized, community-powered hotspot layer. As people help build local coverage—by hosting hotspots or contributing mapping data—the network grows, and users may benefit through lower costs or rewards.
Rather than buying access, you’re helping to build the network—and Helium wants that to pay off for you.
Up‑to‑Date Plans & Features
Here’s how Helium Mobile’s pricing and plan features stack up in late 2025:
| Plan | Monthly Price* | What You Get | Hotspot / Tethering | Key Notes & Limits |
| Zero | $0/month | 3 GB data, 100 minutes, 300 texts | No hotspot access | Requires continuous location sharing. (support) |
| Air | $15/month (before taxes/fees) | 10 GB data, unlimited talk & text | Up to 5 GB hotspot, included in 10 GB cap. | If you go over 10 GB, data is disabled unless you buy add-ons or wait for next cycle. (plan terms) |
| Infinity | $30/month (before taxes/fees) | “Unlimited” data, talk, text | Up to 5 GB hotspot, counted toward high‑speed allotment | After ~36 GB of usage per cycle, data speeds may be slowed (deprioritized). (plan terms) |
* Note: Taxes, fees, and surcharges are added on top of the base price, so many users see a slightly higher final bill.
Legacy Plans: Users who had active plans before February 4, 2025 (e.g., older $5 or $20 unlimited plans) may retain those terms. New customers cannot sign up for those plans. (support)
Important Hotspot Rule: The Air plan allows up to 5 GB of hotspot/tethering in each billing cycle, which counts toward that plan’s 10 GB data allotment. If you exceed the 10 GB limit, your data is disabled until your next cycle or unless you buy extra data. (plan terms)
Why Helium Mobile Is Different
1. Hybrid Network Model: Hotspots + T‑Mobile Fallback
Helium’s structure is built to balance cost and coverage:
- Local hotspot coverage comes from individuals deploying mini cell towers in homes or businesses.
- T‑Mobile fallback fills in where hotspot coverage is weak, ensuring you stay connected.
- Over time, as hotspot density increases, reliance on the backbone diminishes—lowering costs and improving local performance.
This dual architecture helps Helium deliver lower‑cost service without completely abandoning network reliability.
2. Rewards & Token Evolution
Helium’s incentive system is evolving (and can be confusing). Here’s how it works now:
- Cloud Points are the reward currency most users see. You earn them by enabling mapping, using data, or participating in network tasks.
- MOBILE tokens / HNT still exist behind the scenes and are often used for infrastructure or technical incentives (e.g. hotspot operators).
- Ordinary users generally only deal with Cloud Points—unless they’re deeply involved in hotspot deployment or infrastructure.
- The shift away from direct consumer TOKEN rewards (MOBILE) is gradual, but most user-facing perks now use Cloud Points.
Helium reserves the right to adjust reward mechanisms in the future.
3. Device Support & Access
- Bring Your Own Device (BYOD): Compatible unlocked phones are supported—just make sure your device supports the required network bands.
- Porting: You can bring your existing number over to Helium.
- No credit checks or contracts are required.
- Location sharing requirement: Especially for the Zero plan, continuous location sharing is mandatory to support mapping and reward systems. (support)
Roaming / International Usage
Helium now offers an International Roaming add-on (available in their app) for U.S. users. You can buy additional data by the gigabyte:
- Each 1 GB costs $15, and includes 60 minutes calling + 100 texts. (support)
- Note: The data expires 30 days after purchase or when it’s used up.
- This feature is optional and must be actively purchased—it’s not included in standard plans.
- Roaming service is limited to specific countries and network compatibility varies. Helium doesn’t guarantee full functionality abroad. (legacy plan terms)
Thus, while roaming is possible, it is not a standard, always‑active feature for every user.
Comparison: Helium vs Traditional Providers
| Provider / Model | Underlying Network | Typical Plan Options | Distinct Advantage | What You Trade Off |
| Helium Mobile | Hotspots + T‑Mobile fallback | $0 → $15 → $30 | Community rewards, lower base costs | Hotspot caps, deprioritization, evolving features |
| MVNOs (Boost, Mint, etc.) | AT&T / T-Mobile networks | Tiered or unlimited ($20–$40+) | Simplicity, reliability | Less flexibility, no rewards |
| Major Networks (Verizon / AT&T) | Proprietary infrastructure | Unlimited / premium (> $60) | Wide native coverage, perks | Higher cost, less hands-on control |
Helium’s pitch: you pay less, contribute to infrastructure, and benefit from a model tailored for engaged users.
Adoption & Growth Notes (2025)
- In official Helium disclosures and their help center, legacy users of older unlimited plans are grandfathered in, and these plans are no longer open to new signups. (support)
- Helium’s public dashboards provide less frequent updates on user counts or hotspot growth than before—meaning recent metrics require caution.
- Community posts (e.g. Helium’s Reddit) and user reports confirm hotspot limits and data cap rules are active for Air/Infinity plans. (reddit thread)
So while Helium continues evolving, concrete growth numbers after 2024 are fewer and more loosely reported.
What Users Like & What to Watch Out For
Advantages
- Free or very low-cost options: The Zero plan is compelling for light users or backups.
- Earn rewards by participating: Users who help map coverage or host hotspots can reduce costs.
- Flexible and transparent: Month-to-month service, clear caps, and fallback support.
- Upfront trade-offs: Hotspot caps, speed throttling, and evolving reward models are made explicit.
Trade-Offs & Risks
- Data disabling: On the Air plan, once 10 GB is reached, data stops until next billing cycle or add-on purchase.
- Deprioritization: The Infinity plan may slow speeds after ~36 GB in a cycle.
- Hotspot cap fixed: Even for Infinity plans, hotspot usage is capped at 5 GB/month.
- Roaming complexity: The roaming add-on exists but is limited, optional, and may face coverage or compatibility issues.
- Reward system changes: Cloud Points and token mechanics may shift; future terms could change.
- Coverage variability: In regions with low hotspot density, fallback to T‑Mobile may dominate performance.
How to Make Helium Work for You
- Let Wi-Fi handle heavy usage (streaming, large file downloads) whenever possible.
- Check hotspot density around your area before switching.
- If possible, host a hotspot—it’s one of the most direct ways to benefit.
- Enable mapping/location features consistently to accrue Cloud Points.
- Watch for plan changes & updates—Helium’s model is still evolving.
- Stay active in Helium’s forums/community to catch hidden optimizations or shifts.
Looking Forward
Helium Mobile is a bold experiment in decentralized telecom. Success will hinge on:
- Evolving reward models that remain sustainable
- Expanding hotspot density to reduce reliance on fallback networks
- Smoothing user onboarding & reward redemption
- Scaling international features and roaming support
- Forming more partnerships with carriers or networks to broaden reach
This isn’t just another phone plan—it’s a bet on community infrastructure and user‑driven coverage.
FAQs
What is Helium Mobile?
It’s a hybrid wireless service combining user-hosted hotspots with a T-Mobile fallback network. Users help build coverage and earn rewards as they use the service.
How can Helium offer a free plan?
The Zero plan gives 3 GB data, 100 minutes, and 300 texts at no cost. To support that, users must enable continuous location sharing, and Helium monetizes the infrastructure and mapping data. (support)
Can I use my existing phone?
Yes—if it’s unlocked and compatible with Helium’s network bands. You can also port your number when activating service.
What are Cloud Points & tokens?
Cloud Points are the rewards you see and use as a regular consumer (redeemable for credits, gift cards, etc.). MOBILE tokens / HNT still exist behind the scenes and are more relevant to hotspot operators or technical participants.
Is there international roaming?
Yes, but only via an optional add-on. You can purchase 1 GB increments for $15 (which includes some talk & text), valid for 30 days. Roaming availability is limited by country, device compatibility, and carrier agreements. (support)
Does Helium’s “unlimited” plan mean no caps?
Not exactly. Infinity offers unlimited talk/text/data, but data beyond ~36 GB may be deprioritized (slower) during congested times. Hotspot usage is capped at 5 GB/month.
