AT&T Unlimited Data vs wifi hotspot usage
Have I-Phone with unlimited data plan and 15 GB hotspot. I have the Apple HDMI connector to where I can stream Netflix, Amazon Prime and Disney+ to the TV using the phone's data plan. If I want to us...
Forum Discussion
This is what the OP asked:
"If I want to use wifi for the computer while I'm streaming a movie, would the streaming video still count towards my data plan, or would it switch over and start counting towards my hotspot data?"
The answer is still, if streaming on the phone, it's under the unlimited data plan for the phone. If the wifi hotspot is enabled, devices that are connected via that hotspot count towards the hotspot data limit. Whatever you are doing on the phone stays on the unlimited data plan. It doesn't switch to the hotpot data because you can't connect your phone to your own hotspot connection. Likewise, if you have the computer connected to the hotspot, it won't switch to the phone's unlimted date. The phone stays on the phone unlimited data plan and all other devices connected on the hotspot uses the hotspot's data plan.
Look at it this way, your phone is creating two data connections, one for everything you're doing on the phone itself and another for everything that connects through the hotspot when you turn that on. They are separate connections.
As for priority, the phones data connection activity takes priority over the hotspot data connection activity. The only time they impact each other is if you try to stream video over both connections at the same time. When that happens, both get throttled back with the hotspot connection taking the bigger hit. I think that the plan was really designed for those in areas with 5G.
"If I want to use wifi for the computer while I'm streaming a movie, would the streaming video still count towards my data plan, or would it switch over and start counting towards my hotspot data?"
The answer is still, if streaming on the phone, it's under the unlimited data plan for the phone. If the wifi hotspot is enabled, devices that are connected via that hotspot count towards the hotspot data limit. Whatever you are doing on the phone stays on the unlimited data plan. It doesn't switch to the hotpot data because you can't connect your phone to your own hotspot connection. Likewise, if you have the computer connected to the hotspot, it won't switch to the phone's unlimted date. The phone stays on the phone unlimited data plan and all other devices connected on the hotspot uses the hotspot's data plan.
Look at it this way, your phone is creating two data connections, one for everything you're doing on the phone itself and another for everything that connects through the hotspot when you turn that on. They are separate connections.
As for priority, the phones data connection activity takes priority over the hotspot data connection activity. The only time they impact each other is if you try to stream video over both connections at the same time. When that happens, both get throttled back with the hotspot connection taking the bigger hit. I think that the plan was really designed for those in areas with 5G.
