4G LTE slow and erratic download speed

[DataMystery]

I’m in a semi-rural area with no wired internet, so getting 4G service in the home is essential.

I did a search on this topic and found plenty of complaints about 4G speed, but none that fit my situation.

NOT THE DEVICE:  My neighbors and I all began having this issue across all our devices at the same time, so it’s clearly not the devices’ fault.  Over the last six weeks or so, one of my neighbors has made countless phone calls to Verizon and had no luck, so I thought I’d give him a break and start my own effort online.

WHEN THE PROBLEM STARTED:  Before around May 30, 2017 and for at least 2 years previously, signal strength and data download speeds were good.  I never ran a speed test (didn’t need to), but I was able to stream HD video just fine.  Since around May 30, the signal strength and data download speeds have been much lower, and extremely erratic.

SIGNAL STRENGTH: Before May 30, signal strength was in the 2-3 bar range (on an iPhone 6+); since then, it has been mostly at 1 bar, and occasionally is lost altogether (3G or even 1x).

FIELD TEST MODE: Only in the last week have I set my phone to Field Test Mode and begun recording db readings.  Walking around outside with the phone pointed in various directions and orientations doesn’t seem to affect either signal strength (~ -100 to -108 db) or data speed in any consistent way.  Data speed can be relatively fast with a weak signal, or terrible with a stronger signal.

SPEED TEST RESULTS:  Extremely inconsistent, but low overall.  One download speed test might result in up to 5 mpbs, while an immediate re-test might net only 0.75.  At no time is the download speed ever fast enough to stream HD video.

NO CONSISTENCY:  There is no pattern to the erratic speed.  Time of day doesn’t matter.

BOUNCING NEEDLE:  On all speed tests, the needle begins by bouncing upward quickly and then settling slowly several times — as if the signal is intermittent — before stabilizing towards the end of the test.  The more frequent the initial upward bounces, the faster the overall speed test result.

UPLOAD IS FAST: The weird part is that upload speeds are consistent and excellent at 10-15 mbps.  The needle does not bounce around on upload tests as it does on downloads.

SIGNAL BOOSTER: I just purchased and tested a WeBoost signal strength booster.  It boosts the signal strength as advertised, but the data download speeds are even more wildly inconsistent.  One speed test delivered a dizzying 20 mbps.  An immediate re-test netted 2.4 mbps.  Mostly the results about the same as before, and average around 2.0 to 3.0 mbps, although they range all over the place.

Ideas?

[steveng_vzw]

DataMystery, we know how important it is to always get great speeds with LTE. We always want to help all our customers in any way we can to make sure they get the service they should be getting from us. What zip code are you located at where this is happening at? What plan do you have with us at this time?

StevenG_VZW

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[DataMystery]

Hi Steven, thanks for your response.  Now let's hope we can track this down.

Zip code is 97405 (Eugene, Oregon).  If it helps, the GPS coordinates are approximately 43.98 N, -123.14 W.

Unlimited Plan, and I've used nowhere near the amount of data to trigger any sort of throttling.  Plus, I can get normal 4G LTE data speeds in areas away from the immediate neighborhood.

If it had always been this way, I would accept that I'm just in a lousy reception area.  However, as stated in my original post, the troubles definitely began on or around May 30.  That leads me to believe there is a tower issue.  Plus, there's the odd aspect that the data speed is highly erratic, and not consistently tied to signal strength.

[vzw_customer_support]

The information provided does suggest there may be an issue with a local tower. How is your service in other areas? Have you done any speed tests at other locations?

NoahS_VZW

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[DataMystery]

"The information provided does suggest there may be an issue with a local tower. How is your service in other areas? Have you done any speed tests at other locations?"

Service in other areas is much, much faster.  I did a couple of speed tests in different locations closer to town today and got download speeds of 40.43 mbps and 83.15 mpbs.  You can see why a speed of 0.75 mbps in my neighborhood is disappointing, to say the least.

Let me stress again that at one time, before May 30 or so, both speed and signal strength were much faster in my neighborhood.  My next-door neighbor also experienced the same drastic drop in data download speed and consistency, beginning at the same time, and he is also able to get much faster speeds when he is in town.

If it helps, the last ticket number my neighbor opened with Verizon via telephone was [Removed].  He has received no response from Verizon for a couple of weeks, and as I'm sure you know, there is no way for him to contact anyone at Verizon directly to find out why.  That's why I thought to start my own effort with an electronic paper trail.

personal information removed as required by the Verizon Wireless Terms of Service 

Message edited by Verizon Moderator

[RVLust]

I have exactly the same problem.  Did you ever get a solution from Verizon?

[REBNEI77]

No, not yet.  They created a ticket but haven't ever heard back.

_{Becky [Removed]}

via Galaxy S8

personal information removed as required by the  Verizon Wireless Terms of Service​

Message edited by Verizon Moderator.

[vzw_customer_support]

That is deeply concerning that you’re experiencing the same problem, RBLust. Let’s get this figured out. When did this issue start for you? What zip code? Do other Verizon users/devices have the same issue?

JosephE_VZW

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[RANCHGURL]

I have the same problem. Zip Code 91905. Super slow internet. 3G and 4G LTE. 10 seconds each for 3 of the Verizon sign on pages and 15 seconds for the last one. Painful.

[vzw_customer_support]

I know how agonizing slow internet can be Ranchgurl. I don't see any reported issues in your area. When did this start? Are you connected to WiFi? What is the make/model of your phone?

AmberF_VZW

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If my response answered your question please click the �Correct Answer� button under my response. This ensures others can benefit from our conversation. Thanks in advance for your help with this!!

[cabledl]

I have the same problem, mine started around 8/6/2020.  Zip Code 87031. Super slow internet. 3G and 4G LTE. 10 seconds or more each for 3 of the Verizon sign on pages and 15 seconds for the last one. Painful while affecting my ability to do my job while at home during this COVID-19 pandemic situation.

[Yohaney]

I'm having a similar problem, my 4g lte speeds are terribly slow. I can barely get 25kpbs! I couldn't even load this page until my 3rd try. I've been having this problem since I signed up about a month or 2 ago. I have WiFi@home but I don't use my phone@home. I need internet@work where there's no WiFi... It's very frustrating since I signed up for the bigger data plan and I can't use%90 of it, which makes no sense because I always have at least 4 bars of 4g service.. My zip code is 99310.

[REBNEI77]

Still haven't received any type of answer. Speed still is slow and erratic. Also still not seeing 4G, only ever see LTE although I was told they "are the same thing"

[Yohaney]

The zip code I provided (98310) is where my work is located, but I'm

experiencing slow download speeds everywhere I go when not using WiFi. I am

using the Moto-G4 I just bought when I signed up with Verizon. I had faster

speeds when I was on 3G.

[vzw_customer_support]

We never like to hear you're having trouble with your 4G data, Yohaney. We want you with the best possible speeds at all times. Let's dig further into this to figure out what's going on. You mentioned you have issues at work. Do you have trouble with service when outside of work? The zip code you provided did not locate anything for us. Please provide the zip code for your work location. Does anyone else have issues at this location?

DanielleR_VZW

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If my response answered your question please click the �Correct Answer� button under my response. This ensures others can benefit from our conversation. Thanks in advance for your help with this!!

[Florida6100]

Verizon LTE Slower Than Dial Up - YouTube

[ELSBAK27]

I have recently changed from ATT to Verizon and upgraded to the IPhone8, I have had data issues since the change, slow and freezing just keeps buffering works fine on WIFI but not on the LTE. Has anyone received an answer? I have been back to the store several times as well as on tech support with no results??

[Yohaney]

I'm still having the same problems with my service. Slow to zero internet

on 4glte. I'm extremely frustrated with Verizon since I just bought a new

MotoG4, with the larger data package and I can't even use %75 of it. Still

no answer or resolution from Verizon.......!

[vzw_customer_support]

DH - I apologize for the delay. I am confident that we will resolve the slow data speeds you're experiencing, so you can enjoy your new Moto G4. I reviewed the Bremerton, WA area and found no issues or outages to report. Are you experiencing slow data speeds during certain times of the day? Please take a speed test and share a screenshot of the results. http://bit.ly/18kSQZ9       

JacobV_VZW

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If my response answered your question please click the �Correct Answer� button under my response. This ensures others can benefit from our conversation. Thanks in advance for your help with this!!

[Dont827273]

I am also experiencing the same slow downs since the 2 new unlimited plans became available. All 5 of my smart devices (2x iPhone 7, 1x Samsung Galaxy S8, 1x Samsung Galaxy S8+, 1x iPad mini (latest gen) are experiencing horribly slow LTE service. Prior to the release of the 2 new unlimited plans, all of these devices regularly experienced 15-25 mbps download speeds. I've experienced this level of service since Verizon implemented LTE Advanced several years ago. This was great because I'm limited to 6 mbps DSL internet service where I live.. I could rely on my Verizon service when I work from home.

But not any longer. Since the role out of the 2 new unlimited plans, all 5 of my smart devices have been limited to less than 5 mbps and more often never run any faster than 2.5 mbps. I've tested with several of the speed test apps available for the devices and get the same typical results. And the speeds didn't just drop in my semi-rural neighborhood (98223). I see the same results up and down the I-5 corridor from Tacoma, WA to the Canadian border, in Seattle, WA,.. everywhere I go. I've spoken with VZW tech support and they assure me that there is no reason, based on the Unlimited plan I have (grandfathered from before the 2 new unlimited plans arrived), that I should be experiencing slow speeds. We've troubleshot 1 device and the ultimate answer was to go to the VZW store and have them replace my SIM card. I could see this being a resolution if ONE of my devices was experiencing the horrible performance but not when all 5 devices are seeing similar performance issues.

I fear that VZW has implemented bandwidth throttling, whereby I am paying the same $550 bill each month for less that 1/3 of the performance I was receiving prior to the introduction of a new congestion friendly, often throttled GoUnlimited plan. I'm very disappointed in the services at this point and the lack of real technical support.

Don

[vzw_customer_support]

We are dedicated to offering you the best possible service when and where you need it as I know the importance. We appreciate your business and we want to offer you answers. I have sent a Direct Message so that we can offer you more personalized support to get to the bottom for this. I will look forward to working with you further.

YaleK_VZW

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If my response answered your question please click the �Correct Answer� button under my response. This ensures others can benefit from our conversation. Thanks in advance for your help with this!!