Changes to Early Access Plans
Helium Mobile, a decentralized physical infrastructure network (DePIN), has announced the discontinuation of its initial payment plans, including the early adopter pricing. These changes are set to take effect on January 27, impacting the $5 Beta plan, the $20 plan, and the Zero Plan.
The company has stated that it will directly inform all affected users about the upcoming modifications. Previously, early-access users were promised standard promotional rates that would last "forever." However, Helium Mobile is now phasing out these plans and encouraging users to transition to higher-tier options before the end of January.
Helium Upgrades Early Access Plans to Air Plan
Helium Mobile is upgrading all remaining early access $5 and $20 plans to its Air Plan. For users on the $5 early access plan, Helium Mobile will provide a one-time $10 credit to their accounts as an acknowledgment of their early participation in the project's development. The company also noted that users who upgrade their $5 subscription to the Air or Infinity plan before the deadline will receive a 50% discount for one year, along with $50 in Cloud Points.
The Zero Plan, which allowed users a limited amount of data, texts, and calls each month, previously offered 100 minutes of talk time, 300 text messages, and 3GB of data monthly. Under the new structure, Zero Plan users will continue to receive 3GB of free data each month. This includes 1GB from a nationwide partner and an additional 2GB when Helium coverage is available.
Helium Mobile cited taxes and fees from payment partners and governments as the reasons for these adjustments, stating that these charges will be passed on to consumers for Zero Plan accounts.
📌 Starting Jan 27, we’re making a few updates.
Changes apply to early-access plans ($5 Beta, $20) and the Zero Plan. Affected subscribers will be notified directly.
These updates help keep our phone plans among some of the most affordable in the country, long-term.
🧵👇
— Helium Mobile 🆓 ☁️ (@helium_mobile) January 12, 2026
User Reactions to Plan Changes
The announcement of these changes has generated significant frustration and backlash from subscribers who feel the company has broken its promises. Users have taken to social media to voice their dissatisfaction with Helium Mobile's decisions.
One user described the changes as "absolute nonsense" and pointed out that Helium Mobile had removed the "forever" pledge from its website, though the statement was captured by an archiving tool. This user also suggested that other frustrated users consider using AI tools like ChatGPT and Grok to draft letters to the FTC and their respective state attorney's general offices.
Absolute nonsense. You delete the promise of "forever" on your website but Wayback Machine caught you. https://t.co/TyhY2VUt63
So truly sketchy, at best.
— David Chapman 🌹 (@DChapmanCrypto) January 12, 2026
Amir Haleem, the founder and CEO of Helium, responded to the user, asserting that the company never pledged to offer the $5 plan to early users in perpetuity.
Another user stated that the company had not disclosed the costs of taxes and charges for the Zero Plan and expressed skepticism about the network's longevity, predicting its shutdown within weeks. While some users conveyed disappointment with the upgraded plans, they acknowledged that finding a cheaper alternative might still be challenging.
Helium Network Expansion and New Plans
Despite the criticism, Helium Mobile continues to expand its global coverage. The network launched in Brazil in December of the previous year, with Helium Explorer data showing 29 hotspots established in the country. Helium's deployments in Latin America now surpass 1,000, and the platform supports 1.7 million daily users, facilitating the transfer of over 71.13 TBs of data through its carrier offload program.
In June 2025, Helium introduced a kids' plan named Sprout. This plan is designed to assist parents in guiding their children through the complexities of the connected world. The Sprout plan costs $5 per month and provides parents and guardians with comprehensive control over their children's online activities.