Helium Mobile Review 2026: A Crypto Experiment, Not a Real Carrier

Helium Mobile is what happens when cryptocurrency culture collides with essential telecommunications infrastructure. Built on the premise that a "decentralized" network of community-owned hotspots can supplement traditional cellular coverage, Helium Mobile launched with grand ambitions and a blockchain token called MOBILE. The reality is far less revolutionary. The vast majority of your calls and data run on T-Mobile's network -- the same network you can access through Tello for less money with better features. The Helium hotspot network is sparse, unreliable, and functionally irrelevant for most users. What you are left with is an overpriced T-Mobile MVNO with no security features, no plan customization, no true unlimited data, and the added volatility of a crypto-adjacent business model. At 3.5/11, Helium Mobile earns the lowest score of any carrier we review.

The Decentralized Network Fantasy

Helium Mobile's pitch is compelling on a whiteboard: instead of relying solely on a single carrier's towers, build a supplemental network of small, community-owned hotspots. People buy Helium hotspot hardware, install it in their homes or businesses, and earn MOBILE tokens (a cryptocurrency) for providing wireless coverage. Helium Mobile customers then automatically connect to these hotspots when in range, reducing load on the T-Mobile backbone.

In practice, this concept has severe limitations.

Hotspot Coverage Is Spotty at Best

The Helium hotspot network depends entirely on where individual people have decided to install hardware. This creates a coverage map that is:

• Concentrated in tech-forward urban neighborhoods where early adopters live
• Virtually nonexistent in rural areas where additional coverage would matter most
• Inconsistent block-to-block -- one street may have coverage, the next may not
• Subject to change as hotspot operators move, remove, or shut down equipment

Unlike T-Mobile's towers, which are professionally maintained with guaranteed uptime and SLAs, Helium hotspots are consumer hardware in consumer environments. They go offline when someone unplugs them, moves apartments, or loses interest in the crypto rewards.

When the Hotspot Network Fails

When you cannot connect to a Helium hotspot -- which is most of the time for most users -- your phone falls back to T-Mobile's network. This means the overwhelming majority of Helium Mobile customers are, functionally, on a T-Mobile MVNO. The hotspot network is a marginal supplement at best and completely irrelevant at worst.

The Coverage Map Deception

Helium's coverage map shows areas where hotspots exist. This is fundamentally different from a traditional carrier coverage map, which shows where you can reliably get service. A Helium hotspot on the map means someone installed hardware nearby -- it does not mean you will get a usable connection. The hotspot might be indoors, obstructed, overloaded, or offline.

The Crypto Problem

Helium Mobile is deeply intertwined with cryptocurrency, and this creates risks that traditional carriers do not carry.

Token Volatility

The MOBILE token, which incentivizes hotspot operators, is a cryptocurrency subject to the full spectrum of crypto market volatility. When token prices drop:

• Hotspot operators lose incentive to maintain equipment
• Some operators disconnect hotspots entirely
• The supplemental network shrinks
• Your phone service quality degrades

This is not hypothetical. Crypto token prices routinely crash 50-90% from peaks. Helium's original HNT token experienced exactly this cycle, and the MOBILE token is subject to the same dynamics. Your phone service should not be tied to the mood of speculative crypto markets.

Regulatory Risk

Cryptocurrency faces ongoing regulatory scrutiny. Changes in how tokens are classified, taxed, or restricted could fundamentally alter Helium's business model. Traditional carriers like Tello and Visible operate under well-established telecommunications regulations and do not carry this additional layer of uncertainty.

The "Web3" Red Flag

In the broader tech industry, "Web3" and "decentralized" have become marketing buzzwords that often signal style over substance. Helium Mobile fits this pattern: the decentralized network is the marketing story, while T-Mobile provides the actual service. If you remove the crypto narrative, what remains is a T-Mobile MVNO with fewer features and less security than Tello.

Plans and Pricing

Plans include unlimited talk and text. None include truly unlimited data. Taxes are not included in the advertised prices.

The Real Cost Comparison

At every price point, Helium Mobile delivers less data for more money than carriers that do not require a blockchain to function. Tello provides 7x more data for a slightly higher base price (but lower after taxes). Visible provides unlimited data for $25 less than Helium's premium plan.

Speed Test Results

Helium Mobile's speeds are primarily determined by T-Mobile's network, since that is where the vast majority of connections route.

The critical takeaway: Helium hotspot performance is wildly inconsistent. Some hotspots deliver decent speeds; others are barely functional. The T-Mobile fallback is reliable but identical to what any T-Mobile MVNO provides. You are paying for the Helium brand and the crypto narrative, not for better connectivity.

The Complete Security Failure

This is where Helium Mobile's score truly collapses.

No Two-Factor Authentication

Helium Mobile does not offer 2FA for account access. In 2026, this is an inexcusable omission for any company handling personal and payment information.

No SIM PIN Protection

Helium Mobile does not offer SIM PIN protection. This is one of the most basic mobile security features -- a PIN that prevents someone from using your SIM card in another device. Without it, a stolen phone or intercepted SIM provides immediate, unprotected access to your wireless account and phone number.

The combination of no 2FA and no SIM PIN means Helium Mobile offers zero proactive security measures beyond a password. This is the weakest security posture of any carrier we review.

Security Comparison

Helium's clean breach record is largely a function of being a very new company with a small customer base. The absence of security features suggests that when a breach attempt occurs, the defenses will be minimal.

Why This Matters More for Helium

Helium Mobile operates in the crypto ecosystem, which is one of the most heavily targeted sectors for phishing, social engineering, and account takeover attacks. Helium customers -- who are disproportionately crypto-aware and may hold significant digital assets -- are high-value targets. Offering no 2FA and no SIM PIN to a customer base that is particularly vulnerable to SIM swap attacks is not just negligent, it is reckless.

Our 11-Point Scoring Breakdown

Eight criteria scored zero or near-zero. Helium Mobile earns points only for having a sub-$25 plan, unlimited talk/text, partial network coverage, and no breach history. The partial coverage score reflects that the Helium hotspot network is too unreliable and sparse to warrant full credit, despite T-Mobile providing adequate backbone coverage.

Helium Mobile vs. The Competition

Helium Mobile vs. Visible

Verdict: Visible wins in every category. It costs less, provides unlimited data, includes taxes, offers full security features, and runs on Verizon's stable network. Helium Mobile offers nothing that Visible does not do better.

Helium Mobile vs. Tello

Verdict: Tello and Helium Mobile both rely on T-Mobile's network for the vast majority of connections. Tello provides 7x more data, includes taxes, offers full security features, and operates a sustainable business model. The Helium hotspot supplement does not compensate for the gaps in features, security, and value.

Who Should Get Helium Mobile?

Possibly Acceptable For

• Crypto enthusiasts who want to support the Helium network ecosystem and understand they are paying a premium for ideology
• People who live in areas with dense Helium hotspot coverage (a very small percentage of the country) and want to experiment with the technology

Not Recommended For

• Anyone who needs reliable phone service as their primary line
• Security-conscious users (no 2FA, no SIM PIN)
• Budget-conscious users (overpriced for the data provided)
• People in rural or suburban areas (Helium hotspots are urban-concentrated)
• Anyone who is not deeply invested in the crypto/Web3 ecosystem
• Heavy data users (30GB max)
• Users who need customer support infrastructure
• People who want a carrier that will exist in five years with certainty

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Helium Mobile a real phone carrier?

Technically yes, but it functions primarily as a T-Mobile MVNO with a supplemental hotspot network. The "decentralized network" marketing overstates the hotspot network's contribution to actual service.

What network does Helium Mobile use?

Helium Mobile primarily uses T-Mobile's network, supplemented by community-owned Helium hotspots. In practice, the T-Mobile backbone handles the vast majority of your calls and data.

How does the Helium hotspot network work?

Individuals purchase Helium hotspot hardware, install it in their locations, and earn MOBILE crypto tokens for providing wireless coverage. Helium Mobile customers connect to these hotspots when in range.

Is Helium hotspot coverage reliable?

No. Hotspot availability depends on where individuals have installed equipment. Coverage is concentrated in urban tech-forward neighborhoods and is sparse or nonexistent elsewhere. Hotspots can go offline at any time.

Does Helium Mobile have two-factor authentication?

No. Helium Mobile does not offer 2FA, leaving accounts protected only by a password.

Does Helium Mobile have SIM PIN protection?

No. Helium Mobile does not offer SIM PIN protection, making it the only carrier we review that lacks both 2FA and SIM PIN.

Is Helium Mobile connected to cryptocurrency?

Yes. Helium Mobile is built on the Helium blockchain network. Hotspot operators earn MOBILE tokens, and the business model is deeply intertwined with crypto token economics.

What happens if the MOBILE token crashes?

If token prices drop significantly, hotspot operators lose incentive to maintain equipment. This could reduce the supplemental network's coverage and reliability. Your T-Mobile fallback would continue to work, but the "decentralized" value proposition would erode.

Does Helium Mobile include taxes?

No. All Helium Mobile prices are before taxes and fees.

Is Helium Mobile cheaper than Tello?

Helium's $20 plan is cheaper than Tello's $25 plan, but provides only 5GB versus Tello's 35GB. After taxes, the real gap narrows further. Per gigabyte, Tello is dramatically cheaper.

Does Helium Mobile have unlimited data?

No. The maximum plan offers 30GB for $50/month plus taxes. Visible offers truly unlimited data for $25/month taxes included.

Is Helium Mobile good for rural areas?

No. The Helium hotspot network barely exists outside urban areas, and you would be relying entirely on T-Mobile's network -- which you could access more cheaply and with better features through Tello.

Will Helium Mobile still exist in five years?

Unknown. Crypto-adjacent companies have a high failure rate, and Helium's business model depends on sustained token value and hotspot operator participation. Traditional carriers like Tello and Visible have more predictable long-term outlooks.

Can I keep my phone number if I leave Helium Mobile?

Yes. Port your number to your new carrier during signup. Do not cancel Helium Mobile before initiating the port.

Is Helium Mobile safe?

From a security standpoint, no. The absence of both 2FA and SIM PIN protection makes Helium Mobile the least secure carrier we review. The crypto connection also increases your exposure to targeted phishing and social engineering attacks.

Final Verdict

Helium Mobile scores 3.5/11 -- the lowest rating in our carrier rankings.

The decentralized network is a gimmick, not a feature. The Helium hotspot network covers a fraction of the country, is unreliable by design (consumer hardware maintained by volunteers), and adds no meaningful value over T-Mobile's existing infrastructure. You are paying for a blockchain narrative, not for better phone service.

The security posture is the worst we have reviewed. No 2FA. No SIM PIN. These are the two most basic carrier security features, and Helium Mobile offers neither. For a company operating in the crypto ecosystem -- where SIM swap attacks are rampant and the stakes are often significant -- this is not just negligent, it is reckless.

The business model carries crypto-specific risk. Your phone service should not depend on token prices, hotspot operator sentiment, or the regulatory future of cryptocurrency. When the crypto hype cycle cools, you are left with an overpriced T-Mobile MVNO with no competitive advantages and fewer features than Tello.

Our recommendation:

• If you want T-Mobile coverage: Switch to Tello -- 35GB for $25/month, taxes included, 2FA, SIM PIN, build-a-plan, good customer service, 9.5/11 score.
• If you want the best overall value: Switch to Visible -- unlimited data for $25/month, taxes included, Verizon network, full security features, 10/11 score.
• If you want to support decentralized networks: Buy a Helium hotspot and earn tokens. Just do not use Helium Mobile as your phone carrier.

Helium Mobile is a crypto experiment cosplaying as a phone carrier. The experiment is not going well.

This review is based on our independent 11-point scoring methodology. Tom Spark and Prepaid Report may earn commissions from affiliate links, but this never influences our ratings or recommendations. Helium Mobile earned its 3.5/11 score through the same objective criteria we apply to every carrier. Learn more about our methodology.