Modern mobile internet users often need to share Wi-Fi with other devices, whether a laptop, tablet, or game console. When the home provider is unavailable, the smartphone becomes a full-fledged router, consuming significant amounts of data. However, most MTS tariff plans limit this process, dividing traffic into a primary package and a specific pool for sharing.
Understanding exactly how many gigabytes you have left at your disposal modem mode, is critical to avoiding unexpected blocks or speed drops to minimum values. Users often confuse their total remaining traffic with the limit allocated specifically for data sharing, leading to unpleasant surprises mid-month. In this article, we'll cover in detail all available verification methods, the technical nuances of traffic accounting, and consumption optimization methods.
The MTS billing system automatically tracks the type of traffic passing through your device. When you activate a hotspot, the network marks data packets with a corresponding flag. That's why it's important to quickly and accurately monitor your account status using both your smartphone's built-in features and the operator's official services.
The difference between the main traffic and the distribution package
A key point that subscribers often overlook is the pricing structure. Your basic gigabyte package is intended exclusively for use on the device in which the SIM card is inserted. Once you enable the feature, Personal Hotspot or "Modem Mode," a separate limit is applied. This limit may be equal to the main package, a fixed portion of it, or zero if the option is not enabled.
Technically, the process works like this: the phone creates a local network, and all requests from connected clients (laptops, TV set-top boxes) are routed through it. The operator sees these requests and subtracts them from a special reserve. If you try to use the main package for tethering without the appropriate option, the speed may be limited to 64 kbps or access will be completely blocked.
⚠️ Attention: Some apps, especially iOS and Android system updates, can consume data in the background even when the connected device isn't actively using the internet. This data is also deducted from your data plan.
It's important to keep in mind that when your device connects to your smartphone's Wi-Fi network, it may begin syncing cloud storage, downloading game updates, or streaming high-definition video. All of these actions immediately eat up your allocated gigabytes. Therefore, monitoring your remaining storage regularly is essential, especially if you use your smartphone as your primary internet connection for work.
Checking your balance via USSD commands and SMS
The fastest way to check your current balance and remaining data is to use USSD requests. This method doesn't require an internet connection and even works in roaming (if supported by your operator). For MTS subscribers, the primary code is *100#After dialing this combination, a menu with tariff information will appear on the screen, where the main package and the distribution package will be separately indicated.
An alternative option is to use a short code *217#This command is specifically designed to check the traffic available for distribution. The system will immediately respond with an SMS message or a pop-up window with details: how many gigabytes were initially allocated, how much has been used, and how much remains until the end of the billing period.
- 📱 Code *100# — a complete tariff menu broken down by traffic categories.
- 📶 Code *217# — quick check of your internet sharing package.
- 💬 SMS to number 117 — send any message (the text is not important) to receive a reply with the balance.
- ⏱ Code *100*0432# — check the remaining minutes, SMS, and traffic in one request.
Using USSD codes is preferable in situations where mobile internet is unstable or completely unavailable. However, it's worth remembering that on some models of push-button phones or in poor signal conditions, the network response may be delayed. In such cases, it's recommended to repeat the request after 10-15 seconds.
Using the My MTS app for detailed analysis
The most informative and visually understandable tool is the official mobile application. My MTSIt allows you to not only see the raw numbers but also analyze your consumption trends. After logging in (usually automatically using your phone number), the main screen displays a bar chart with your remaining balance. Find the section labeled "Internet" or "Wi-Fi Sharing."
The app offers a detailed dashboard feature. You can see which days and times saw the highest data usage. This helps identify data-hungry devices or apps that are silently draining your data allowance. The app also lets you instantly upgrade to additional plans if your primary plan is about to expire.
⚠️ Please note: The app interface may be updated. If you don't see the "Share" bar, go to the "Rate" or "Services" section, where the information is duplicated in text format.
One of the app's useful features is its notification settings. You can set a threshold, for example, 10% of the remaining data. As soon as the remaining data allowance drops below this threshold, your smartphone will receive a push notification. This allows you to react promptly: either disable Wi-Fi on connected devices or purchase an additional data plan.
☑️ Check in the "My MTS" app
Personal account on the website and service management
For users who prefer to work from a computer, the web version of the personal account on the operator's official website is the ideal solution. It offers even more functionality than the mobile app. The "Tariff" or "My MTS" sections display complete information about your active plans. Pay particular attention to the "Service Packages" section, which clearly states: "X GB for all devices, including Y GB for data sharing."
The web interface is convenient because it allows you to manage your data sharing services with a single click. If you see that your limit has been reached, you can immediately activate the "Unlimited Data Sharing" service or purchase an additional 1-gigabyte package. Connection history and a detailed daily report are also available, which can be downloaded in Excel for analysis.
It's important to note that data in your personal account is updated in real time, but with a slight delay (usually 1-5 minutes) compared to actual usage. This is standard practice with billing systems. Therefore, if you just watched a 4K movie on your laptop, the figure in your account may not change immediately.
| Verification method | Internet required | Detailing | Speed of receipt |
|---|---|---|---|
| USSD code (*217#) | No | Just numbers | Instantly |
| My MTS application | Yes (mobile internet or Wi-Fi) | High (charts, history) | 1-2 seconds |
| Personal account (website) | Yes | Full (details by day) | Depends on network speed |
| Voice Robot (0811) | No (voice call) | Only voiceover of numbers | 30-60 seconds |
Technical nuances and hidden traffic costs
There are a number of technical features that affect how quickly your gigabytes run out. One of them is traffic compression in browsers. Modes like "Turbo" or "Data Saver" do help save data while surfing, but they don't work when watching videos on YouTube or playing online games. In these cases, the data consumption is immediate, byte for byte.
Another important aspect is connection quality. If the 4G/LTE signal is unstable, the device constantly switches between standards (3G/4G) or tries to recover lost data packets. This means the same file can become larger in size due to overhead and retransmissions. With a poor signal, it's virtually impossible to conserve data.
Why does traffic use up faster on a PC?
When you connect your computer to Wi-Fi, many programs (Windows updates, cloud syncing, torrents) start running in the background, consuming bandwidth without your knowledge. On a smartphone, such processes are usually limited by the power-saving system.
It is also worth mentioning the differences in how different operating systems account for traffic. iOS And Android Background processes are handled differently when the hotspot is enabled. It's recommended to close unnecessary apps on your phone and disable automatic photo saving to the cloud before connecting heavy devices (laptops, Smart TVs).
Optimizing gigabyte consumption when distributing
To ensure your data plan lasts longer, you need to properly configure your connected devices. First, limit background data transfer. In Windows, this is done through the "Metered Connection" setting in the Wi-Fi network properties. This prevents the system from downloading major updates and syncing files without the user's permission.
The second step is to reduce content quality. When watching videos on YouTube, Netflix, or Twitch, manually set the quality to 480p or 720p instead of "Auto." The difference on a laptop screen may not be as noticeable as on a TV, but it will reduce your data usage by 3-4 times. For video calls (Zoom, Skype), it's also best to turn off the camera or lower its resolution, unless it's critical for the meeting.
- 🛑 Disable automatic updates in application stores (App Store, Google Play) when working via a mobile network.
- 📉 Use traffic saving mode in the browser and streaming service settings.
- 🔒 Change your Wi-Fi passwordto prevent the connection of third-party devices that could surreptitiously download content.
- 📱 Control your devices: You can see a list of connected clients in the My MTS app or in your phone settings.
⚠️ Attention: Tariff terms are subject to change. The operator reserves the right to adjust the amount of data available for distribution depending on the selected archived or current tariff plan. Always check the current terms in your personal account.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why is the Wi-Fi distribution speed lower than on the phone itself?
This may be due to technical limitations of the smartphone (antenna power, Wi-Fi standard) or artificial restrictions from the carrier if you've exhausted your high-speed data plan but still have some general data available. Distance to the device and the number of connected clients also play a role.
Is it possible to bypass the traffic distribution limit?
Officially, no. Operators have learned to detect the TTL (time to live) of a packet, which changes as it passes through an access point. Using third-party programs to change the TTL often results in service blocking or a requirement to upgrade to a paid service. The legal option is to use unlimited data plans.
What happens if the distribution package runs out, but the main one remains?
With most modern MTS plans, once the data plan's data rate is exhausted, the speed for connected devices is reduced to a minimum (usually 64 kbps), or access is blocked completely until the end of the billing period or until an additional plan is purchased. The phone's primary data plan remains accessible.
How can I find out how much traffic a specific device has used?
The phone's standard interface or the My MTS app typically don't provide real-time details for each connected device (MAC address). You can see the overall usage. For detailed monitoring, use third-party firewall apps or traffic monitors on the connected device itself (for example, GlassWire on a PC).