Geographical Location
The most probable reason behind slow data connection is geography. Generally, internet connections in cities are far better than the remote areas. If you’re traveling somewhere, check your location once. Probably, you are at a place where your mobile carrier hasn’t set up enough towers. Therefore, you are experiencing slow data. Indeed, your mobile data will speed up once you are back in the city. There’s a solution if you do not want to experience such a situation again. Simply ask your service provider to set up a few signal towers in the rural areas.
Physical Interference
Signal-blocking materials like steel, brick, wood, and concrete are cell signal killers. These materials can interfere with the signals making your data connection slow. So, the next time you encounter a slow data connection, you can simply move out of the building. Then, check your internet again. Your mobile data should be back to normal.
Use of Virtual Private Network
VPN is one of the best methods to protect yourself on the internet. Well, it protects your online identity and prevents you from various internet threats. However, the continuous use of VPN leads to slow internet. Thus, we recommend disconnecting from VPN if you want stable mobile data.
Running Multiple Apps on Mobile Data
Multitasking online has made our work easier and faster. But, running multiple apps at the same time can slow down the mobile data. Well, the functionalities of a smartphone have changed over time. These days, we can play a game, download a file, and chat with our loved ones simultaneously. As convenient as it sounds, each app consumes data per its need. So, multitasking using your mobile data will make your internet slow. Furthermore, you should be unaware of the applications that run in the background. They consume a significant amount of data and reduce the network speed without your knowledge. Therefore, you should pause some of your tasks and turn off background data for the unwanted apps.
Using Old Generation Mobile Network
The speed of your mobile data hugely depends on the type of network we use. Currently, the best mobile network generation is 5G, introduced in April 2019. Usually, your smartphones adapt to the best connection by default. However, if the network type becomes unavailable, the device will automatically switch from a higher generation to a lower generation. Moreover, you may experience slow mobile data if you haven’t updated your SIM cards. Thus, having the best network type will ensure a smoother internet connection on smartphones.
Mobile Network Congestion
When several users use their mobile data simultaneously, the network is overcrowded. Thus, we face slow internet connection during peak hours. Well, network congestion reduces the bandwidth causing apps to take a longer load time than usual. Hence, we experience problems like video buffering, low-quality images, and message sending failures. Indeed, there’s nothing you can do to prevent this issue. Nevertheless, you can manage your time accordingly. For example, you can skip using mobile data during peak hours, like holidays, mornings, and evenings.
Using Throttled Data Plan
Some service providers reduce your mobile data speed if you have selected a throttled data plan. So, your internet is probably slow as you have exceeded your data threshold. Well, several carriers provide unique plans for data throttling. You need to select their monthly plan first. Then, you can use the internet at whatever speed you like. Once you reach the limit, the service provider reduces the rate until your data plan is over.
Network Deprioritization
Both data throttling and network deprioritization are related to internet speed reduction. However, the two are completely different concepts. Firstly, network deprioritization occurs when there’s a congested network. On the other hand, data throttling happens when you reach your threshold. Generally, mobile network carriers provide premium data plans to their customers. However, if you are subscribed to their basic plan, they reduce your internet speed to prioritize their premium customers. Well, data deprioritization is a quick process to handle the network traffic. Once the network is free, you can use your data at normal speed.
Issues Within Your Device
Another important reason for slow data is having issues with your smartphones. After using your devices for a long time, all your apps and services might have slowed down. Moreover, your phones might need an update to start functioning the way they should. Furthermore, there might be other hardware or software-related issues causing your mobile data to slow down.
