Need up to date information on data speeds with AT&T prepaid

I'm buying a new phone this month, want to change phone service providers.  I'm currently with Metro PCS.   Like the features, hate the customer service and the reliability.   

I was going to switch to Cricket.  I've had Cricket before.  Their customer service suddenly improved markedly, right at the time two years and a half years ago that I gave up and left.

But in the process of trying to learn why there is both AT&T prepaid and Cricket and what is the difference, I learned that AT&T's data rates stink for its substandard non contract customers.   The web sites aren't giving me clear information on what the data speeds are.   Cricket customer service finally told me their highest plan is 8 mbps.   

My current speed at Metro PCS is  supposedly 16 mbps, though I just tested it at 3 mbps, and then outside 2 mbps.  Upload speed is strangely much higher; 5 mbps inside and 13 mbps outside. Did I mention that I have found Metro PCS service unreliable?  It cuts out strangely.   I'll be testing that a bunch over the next few days.  No WONDER stuff has been loading slowly.  It tested 16 mbps on the household internet modem, and I had forgotten it would be connected to it.  2-3 mbps will NOT play video; I tried watching a local weather forecast online, and it kept stopping.  The notion that one would ever watch Internet TV or movies at that speed is laughable, if it weren't disgusting.  

What are AT&T prepaid's data speeds?  I understand that that can vary with the plan.

Also, which plans allow using your phone for a hot spot?   It rather looks as though the plan I tend to prefer has NO hot spot?

Thanks!