topic Re: speed test slow in Get Support

speed test slow

Helenruch — Mon, 18 Sep 2023 02:41:10 GMT

I am on 3G and just did a speed test with my data (yes, I turned off my wifi to run it). I notice it starts at around 3mbps or higher but then slows down consistently during the course of the speed test until it is very low. My final result for 2 tests was around 0.30mbps download speed (and 3.12mbps upload speed). Then I switched to a different speed test website and again saw it consistently lowering from 3mbps till the test ended and the result was 1.33mbps. This is extremely slow. I know I only pay for 3G but shouldn't I be getting 3mbps? Also why did it keep going lower as the speed test continued? When I have done the test with wifi turned on, it actually fluctuates up and down, and not just down.

In case this is relevant: I just got a new Samsung Galaxy A54 5G phone. When I switch it to data only (wifi off), it says 5G in the top corner. Network mode says "5G/LTE/WCDMA/GSM (auto connect)"

Re: speed test slow

Handy1 — Mon, 18 Sep 2023 02:32:08 GMT

@Helenruch You wanna do it with wifi off

Speed test

https://www.speedtest.net/apps

Re: speed test slow

Helenruch — Mon, 18 Sep 2023 02:32:45 GMT

I know. I did.

Re: speed test slow

Handy1 — Mon, 18 Sep 2023 02:39:30 GMT

@Helenruch 3G plan will only give you up to 3mbs maybe consider the 20GB $34 4G plan will get up to 100mbs

Re: speed test slow

Helenruch — Mon, 18 Sep 2023 02:37:51 GMT

I am getting far less than that though. I am getting, at most, 1.33mbps. I don't wish to upgrade but should at least get what I am paying for (which is 3mbps).

Re: speed test slow

will13am — Mon, 18 Sep 2023 02:43:02 GMT

@Helenruch , when you do a speed test with Wi-Fi on, you are testing your home internet and Wi-Fi network, not the mobile network. I don't do speed tests on my 3G speed plans but have tried using it from time to time, results are horrible. The traffic shaping seems rather poor, its has a definite drop off. I am not trying to upsell you here, the 4G speed plans are worth it in terms of data bucket size and user experience.

Re: speed test slow

dust2dust — Mon, 18 Sep 2023 02:40:42 GMT

The advertised maximum speed for the 3G speed plans while connected to the 4G LTE network is 3Mbps. Are you getting solid bars of reception?
Be aware that you're using lots of data to do these tests.
For extra marks, switch your phone down to actual 3G WCDMA UMTS HSPA and try a speed test and see what you get.

Adding - and if your phone can connect to actual 5G try it there too.

Re: speed test slow

Chalupa_Batman — Mon, 18 Sep 2023 02:40:15 GMT

Public Mobile's 3G plan is LTE capped in 3Mbps, it is actually more reliable than real 3G.

Re: speed test slow

softech — Mon, 18 Sep 2023 02:40:36 GMT

@Helenruch what phone do you have? brand and model?

try to click Reset All Networks and see if it helps

Try connect at different network mode, 3G , 4G and 5G, run the speed test and compare the result

Repeat the test with different modes I'm different area to check if it is just a local network issue

Re: speed test slow

Helenruch — Mon, 18 Sep 2023 02:41:37 GMT

I just got a new Samsung Galaxy A54 5G phone. When I switch it to data only (wifi off), it says 5G in the top corner. Network mode says "5G/LTE/WCDMA/GSM (auto connect)"

Re: speed test slow

will13am — Mon, 18 Sep 2023 02:41:56 GMT

It's technically 5G capped at 3 mbits/s.

Re: speed test slow

Helenruch — Mon, 18 Sep 2023 02:42:41 GMT

Yes, I know it is capped at 3mbps. My issue is that I am not even getting that speed or even half of it.

Re: speed test slow

dust2dust — Mon, 18 Sep 2023 02:44:17 GMT

Right, so where you see that 5G etc, set it 4G and test. Set it to 3G and test. You might get some interesting results. But again, how do the bars look? If you're less than full then speed will be impacted.

Re: speed test slow

Helenruch — Mon, 18 Sep 2023 02:45:02 GMT

I was not paying attention to how many bars of reception I had but looking now, it is 3 bars. It is on 5G but in my phone settings, network mode says "5G/LTE/WCDMA/GSM (auto connect)." Should I be switching it if it is on auto mode though?

Update 1 minute later: now it is 5 bars..

Re: speed test slow

Helenruch — Mon, 18 Sep 2023 02:45:57 GMT

I ran it with wifi off.

Re: speed test slow

dust2dust — Mon, 18 Sep 2023 02:46:23 GMT

Setting it to the other ones gives it a little more force to use those networks. auto connect will use what it can if it can connect to any of those.

Re: speed test slow

will13am — Mon, 18 Sep 2023 02:47:00 GMT

Leave the preferred network type on 5G. In the past setting the preferred network type to 3G would yield an advantage because the 3G network was not traffic shaped. These days with repurposing of spectrum from the 3G network to service 4G and 5G, 3G performance is generally much more congested. Latency becomes as much of a problem as speed.

Re: speed test slow

softech — Mon, 18 Sep 2023 02:47:37 GMT

@Helenruch

instead of 5G/LTE/WCDMA/GSM, you can try to change to LTE/WCDMA/GSM and you phone will likely drop back to LTE

you can also try WCDMA only, which is 3G only

Try speed test and try using data at those settings to see if you get more stable 3Mbps speed

Re: speed test slow

Helenruch — Mon, 18 Sep 2023 02:49:45 GMT

Is it better to keep it off 5G (and keep it on LTE) if I do not have 5G plan anyway?

Re: speed test slow

softech — Mon, 18 Sep 2023 02:53:39 GMT

@Helenruch

the only reason to keep it off 5G is more for battery saving. And yes, I would leave it with LTE instead of 5G