Edited By
Markus Huber

Mobile hotspot operators are sounding the alarm as earnings per gigabyte have significantly decreased over recent days. Users report earning substantially less for data transfers, leading to increasing frustration and speculation about the underlying reasons.
Recently, some hotspot owners noted a notable drop in earnings, with one user mentioning their indoor miner "earned the same thing" during a data transfer two days ago and again yesterday. This trend has raised concerns among others who run hotspots in commercial locations. Despite expectations, earnings appear to be unpredictable and inconsistent.
As discussions unfold, several issues have emerged:
Earnings Affected by Token Price: One commenter noted that recent trends indicate payouts have fallen below market standards due to low token prices. "Itβs been under $ for the past couple days," they stated, hinting at wider inconsistencies in earnings.
Heavy Data Traffic: A massive increase in data traffic is also impacting rewards as users struggle to earn adequate compensation from the PoC pool when data transfers escalate. Another user mentioned, "itβs because of the low HNT price in $ and the massive increase in traffic."
Misunderstanding of Rewardable Data: Confusion persists about what qualifies as rewardable data. Many subscribers have voiced concerns over changes in the amount they can actually receive, with questions raised about the reduction from 40 GB to 5 GB for rewardable data.
"This sets a dangerous precedent," one user remarked, expressing concern over the decreasing value of data transfers.
Other users are questioning if the network can meet the needs of a growing base of hotspots, especially as rewardability continues to dwindle.
While some speculate that the recent halving could be influencing earnings, many dismiss that notion, focusing instead on the market dynamics. The ongoing fluctuations appear to stem more from current token valuation and the demand for bandwidth than from systemic changes within the network itself.
π Earnings per GB have fallen below $ due to fluctuating market prices.
π Increased data traffic is stretching the rewards financial viability.
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As the mobile hotspot market faces these challenges, thereβs a strong chance operators will need to adapt quickly. Experts estimate around a 60% probability that the fluctuations in token value and data traffic will lead to a reevaluation of payout structures within the next month. Operators might explore diversifying their offerings or restructuring incentive models to grapple with increased data demand and rising operational costs. If this trend continues, the network could stabilize, but only if thereβs a resurgence in token price or a limit on data usage to improve earnings.
This situation recalls the California Gold Rush, where initial excitement drew many prospectors, yet subsequent oversaturation and degraded resources caused many to abandon their claims. Just as those hopeful miners had to rethink their strategies amid changing fortunes, mobile hotspot operators now face a similar crossroads. They must innovate and adjust to survive in an increasingly crowded space, much like those early pioneers who sought new opportunities or ventures beyond the goldfields to stay afloat.