Many T-Mobile customers have reported an unexpected issue: their hotspot data allotment is being depleted even when the hotspot feature isn't in use. The culprit behind this mysterious data drain appears to be the combination of VPN usage and eSIM technology.
How Does T-Mobile Hotspot Data Train Happen?
(Photo : Mika Baumeister from Unsplash)
T-Mobile is sandwiched between complaints of some users regarding the mobile hotspot data. The problem appears to have workarounds, but are they already enough?
The root of the problem lies in how cellular networks identify and categorize data traffic. VPNs encrypt data, making it difficult for carriers to accurately distinguish between regular data usage and hotspot data. This confusion can lead to VPN traffic being mistakenly counted towards the hotspot data cap.
As spotted by Phone Arena via ViggoB12 on Reddit, a public service announcement (PSA) was issued on the subreddit. The original player said that a slower speed happens once the data cap is reached. Before that, they should know that if they use a VPN on mobile data, it will automatically be counted to the hotspot data.
Additionally, some users with eSIM-enabled phones have reported encountering this issue more frequently. While the exact cause remains unclear, it's possible that eSIM technology interacts with VPNs in a way that exacerbates the problem.
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Potential Solutions and Workarounds
To address this frustrating issue, users have explored several potential solutions:
- Switch VPNs: Not all VPN providers are affected by this problem. Trying a different VPN service might resolve the issue.
- Disable eSIM: If possible, reverting to a physical SIM card could help mitigate the problem.
- Adjust MTU Settings: Manually changing the Maximum Transmission Unit (MTU) settings on your device might prevent data misclassification. However, this requires advanced technical knowledge.
"My two cents here... I too have this issue, among many others but to throw a wrench in this thread I have an iPhone, not an Android. I don't use a VPN. And, I have a physical SIM as opposed to an e-SIM. So, it's not just the Android users that experience it. As for the comment regarding the engineers should be embarrassed by this, I agree and would add a laundry list of other reasons why the entire company should be embarrassed beyond measure," Cynically_Sane, a T-Mobile user said.
T-Mobile's Lack of Response
Despite widespread reports of this issue, T-Mobile has yet to provide a clear explanation or a definitive solution. Customers have expressed frustration with the carrier's lack of action to address this ongoing problem.
Until T-Mobile releases an official fix, users are left to experiment with different workarounds to prevent unexpected hotspot data charges.
Four days before this problem erupted, T-Mobile confirmed that it was in talks with Metronet for the expansion of its wireless offerings. According to CNET, the deal is valued at $4.4 billion.
Elsewhere, T-Mobile is also facing a class-action lawsuit for breaking its promise of a lifetime price guarantee for its customers.
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