Which technology are 3G plans based on? 3G or 4G?

[rob79]

I know this looks like a stupid question, but I can't seem to find the actual answer.

Are 3G plans actually using the 3G network, or are they using LTE but throttled to 3G speeds?

I know they're limited to 2.5Mbps, but is that 2.5Mbps delivered via the 3G or LTE network?

The fact that they're advertised as "3G speeds" makes me think it's the latter, but I'd like some confirmation.

Thanks!

[srlawren]

@NDesai purely a fluke as I happened to be testing to see if anything had changed yet....  ...for @rob79 in fact!

[NDesai]

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@SD08 wrote:

@rob79  @skmkenn

Update:  According to oracle @NDesai, 3G upload speed will now be capped at ~2.5mbps.

https://productioncommunity.publicmobile.ca/t5/Announcements/Extended-We-ve-Expanded-Our-Offerings-I...

In other words, 3G download and upload speeds will have the same rated maximum.

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@SD08 forgot to mention, credit goes to @srlawren who updated us first. 

[SD08]

@rob79  @skmkenn

Update:  According to oracle @NDesai, 3G upload speed will now be capped at ~2.5mbps.

https://productioncommunity.publicmobile.ca/t5/Announcements/Extended-We-ve-Expanded-Our-Offerings-I...

In other words, 3G download and upload speeds will have the same rated maximum.

[Aiden]

This is why I said to rebrand 3G as LTE lite or something, it is very confusing to a lot of consumers as the wording is very confusing from PM for new potential sign ups

https://productioncommunity.publicmobile.ca/t5/Public-Lab/Rebrand-3G-as-LTE-Lite-as-it-is-not-3G-but...

[skmkenn]

Thank you for the clarification @SD08.

[rob79]

Awesome @SD08 - I read through a bunch of forum posts before making this question (because I assumed it had been answered elsewhere) but so much stuff came up I couldn't find an "official" response.

The thread you linked looks "official" enough to satisfy my curiosity! Thanks!

[SD08 · Accepted solution]

@rob79

The 3G plans are delivered over the LTE network, throttled to 2.5 mbps download, 0.400 2.5 mbps upload.  While you may temporarily get slightly higher speeds by changing your connection setting to HSPA, that loophole will not last long, as it too will be capped to 2.5 mbps:

https://productioncommunity.publicmobile.ca/t5/Announcements/Extended-We-ve-Expanded-Our-Offerings-I...

EDIT:  New maximum upload speed of 2.5 mbps.  See update below.

[skmkenn]

I believe that these plans are running on the LTE network with speeds throttled to 2.5 Mbps. Your milage may vary, but there have been reports that you can get a little bit more speed out of these plans by setting your phone to connect to regular 4G/HSPA.

iPhone: Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options > Switch "Enable LTE" to Off.

Android: Settings > Mobile Networks > Preferred Network Type > Change from LTE/WCDMA/GSM (Auto) to WCDMA/GSM (Auto)