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Carrier ATT Network Speeds

jjk454ss

jjk454ss

macrumors 601
Original poster
Jul 10, 2008
4,513
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I currently use AT&T, we have several phones, several hotspots, and a couple iPads. When doing a speed test, I get wildly different speeds based on the app or site I use. If I use AT&T’s website, or use the speedtest app by Ookla, I can get 15 to 20 Mb per second. But every device I use, when I test with the app FAST right Netflix, I always get right at 4 Mb per second. I’m curious if anyone else uses fast and gets the same speed, it’s just strange that it’s by Netflix, and it seems like it’s throttle. AT&T tells me that my plan is not throttled except in areas of high traffic at busy times. But where I live there’s no way that it is high network traffic, and it’s all the time that it’s slow.
 
I get about the same with FAST as 2 other apps.

So, doubt if app is issue.

But, speeds will vary a lot by location and time of day.
 
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rugmankc said:
I get about the same with FAST as 2 other apps.

So, doubt if app is issue.

But, speeds will vary a lot by location and time of day.
Click to expand...

Thanks

Your right on the variation in speeds. I get very different speeds based on location and time. But only with Speedtest. Fast is always 4, regardless of day, time, or location.
 
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ATT plays very fast and loose with the definition of words. They may have redefined "throttle" to mean something else, so when you ask them about it they can say, "no, of course we don't do that!". They are a bunch of shady liars, like most wireless companies.

However, Internet connections are not just one thing. Your phone connects to the wireless tower, the tower connects to some backhaul to a central or regional location, and those locations have different connections to different ISPs. It very much depends on the site you're connecting to and what you're trying to measure.
 
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orev said:
ATT plays very fast and loose with the definition of words. They may have redefined "throttle" to mean something else, so when you ask them about it they can say, "no, of course we don't do that!". They are a bunch of shady liars, like most wireless companies.

However, Internet connections are not just one thing. Your phone connects to the wireless tower, the tower connects to some backhaul to a central or regional location, and those locations have different connections to different ISPs. It very much depends on the site you're connecting to and what you're trying to measure.
Click to expand...

Yeah, a lot goes into it, it’s still just strange to always get 4 Mb when using FAST.
 
I'm not sure if they are purposely throttling but they definitely aren't living up to their speed/coverage claims.
I'm absolutely DONE with AT&T.
A few weeks ago, I called and told them that data wasn't working at/around my workplace (a high school) and that I had spoken with many other AT&T customers (students/teachers) and all of them reported having issues.
We did 2 hours of troubleshooting to eventually figure out it was specifically the LTE signal from "our" tower. I was told they were sending an advanced technician to the location this was happening (the school) and the tower and that they would be in contact with me within 2 weeks (but tech rep on the phone said they usually give you a call after a few days and she said they had him scheduled for the very next day). Their solution for the issue was to "disable LTE data for now." Ok...so did that, and spread the news to the kids/teachers and most did the same, awaiting a fix.

Anyways--fast forward two weeks, they give me no update--no phone call, no email, no text...nothing. Even after having an "official case number" and "an advanced technician" assigned to my case. So, I went and switched. Was pain free, and I was in and out in under 30 minutes with unlimited data for only $15 more than I was paying for 6GB (of 4G since they didn't feel like fixing their LTE apparently). I have great LTE service everywhere I go now, and I haven't had any issues with things not loading or messages not sending. It's now been over a month, and my AT&T having students are STILL having to use 4G. I encouraged them to call and open a case as well--but who knows?

Sorry to rant. I hope your data speeds get better.
 
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SidewaysTakumi said:
I'm not sure if they are purposely throttling but they definitely aren't living up to their speed/coverage claims.
I'm absolutely DONE with AT&T.
A few weeks ago, I called and told them that data wasn't working at/around my workplace (a high school) and that I had spoken with many other AT&T customers (students/teachers) and all of them reported having issues.
We did 2 hours of troubleshooting to eventually figure out it was specifically the LTE signal from "our" tower. I was told they were sending an advanced technician to the location this was happening (the school) and the tower and that they would be in contact with me within 2 weeks (but tech rep on the phone said they usually give you a call after a few days and she said they had him scheduled for the very next day). Their solution for the issue was to "disable LTE data for now." Ok...so did that, and spread the news to the kids/teachers and most did the same, awaiting a fix.

Anyways--fast forward two weeks, they give me no update--no phone call, no email, no text...nothing. Even after having an "official case number" and "an advanced technician" assigned to my case. So, I went and switched. Was pain free, and I was in and out in under 30 minutes with unlimited data for only $15 more than I was paying for 6GB (of 4G since they didn't feel like fixing their LTE apparently). I have great LTE service everywhere I go now, and I haven't had any issues with things not loading or messages not sending. It's now been over a month, and my AT&T having students are STILL having to use 4G. I encouraged them to call and open a case as well--but who knows?

Sorry to rant. I hope your data speeds get better.
Click to expand...


Thank you

I did go to VZW yesterday and got a quote. Similar price, but no unlimited data for the Mobile Hospot, but we can get unlimited with tethering.

Might just have to do it. Had ATT for 20 years, I like the discount on DirecTV and free HBO, but might be time to switch.
 
Going to pitch TMO.. I have used them all.. worked for the one the OP isn't favoring right now.. been very happy with TMO network, service and support.

This isn't 'normal' but it is a real TMO network test near where I live.
 

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PBz said:
Going to pitch TMO.. I have used them all.. worked for the one the OP isn't favoring right now.. been very happy with TMO network, service and support.

This isn't 'normal' but it is a real TMO network test near where I live.
Click to expand...

That’s awesome. A friend gets over 100 Mb here at work with TMO. I live in the country though, so not sure about TMO. I wish these companies offered a loaner or even rental phone to test them for a few days or week. I know TMO used to, but I guess they don’t anymore.
 
jjk454ss said:
That’s awesome. A friend gets over 100 Mb here at work with TMO. I live in the country though, so not sure about TMO. I wish these companies offered a loaner or even rental phone to test them for a few days or week. I know TMO used to, but I guess they don’t anymore.
Click to expand...
I think there is a 14 day return policy on going back. TMO is awesome.. maybe ask them how you can test in your area. There definitely are bad areas...

When we left G-Day last year I had little to no signal for about half an hour through country parts of GA.
 
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PBz said:
I think there is a 14 day return policy on going back. TMO is awesome.. maybe ask them how you can test in your area. There definitely are bad areas...

When we left G-Day last year I had little to no signal for about half an hour through country parts of GA.
Click to expand...

I think I’ll stop in a TMO store after work and talk to them. Their website shows top data speeds in my area
 
jjk454ss said:
Thank you

I did go to VZW yesterday and got a quote. Similar price, but no unlimited data for the Mobile Hospot, but we can get unlimited with tethering.

Might just have to do it. Had ATT for 20 years, I like the discount on DirecTV and free HBO, but might be time to switch.
Click to expand...

I have been with AT&T since before Cingular took them over (whenever that was) and have had some issues, but mostly billing related and not really related to service/coverage/data. So when I started having issues I was thinking they'd fix them just like they had previously with other issues. Apparently I was wrong.

It feels nice to be with Verizon. Their app, customer service and general billing system seem slightly nicer to me than AT&T. For example, their bills are VERY customer friendly and they breakdown exactly what you're being charged for and why. Also, their customer service has been fast and responsive.
 
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SidewaysTakumi said:
I have been with AT&T since before Cingular took them over (whenever that was) and have had some issues, but mostly billing related and not really related to service/coverage/data. So when I started having issues I was thinking they'd fix them just like they had previously with other issues. Apparently I was wrong.

It feels nice to be with Verizon. Their app, customer service and general billing system seem slightly nicer to me than AT&T. For example, their bills are VERY customer friendly and they breakdown exactly what you're being charged for and why. Also, their customer service has been fast and responsive.
Click to expand...

Great to hear, thank you. VZW is looking best to me, TMO might be good but they don’t offer affordable hot spots, and I’m concerned about the coverage, although the kid in the store seems to think we woukd have very good speeds
 
jav6454 said:
I have had AT&T since they were also Cingular. However, my experience has always been great in billing, and service.
Click to expand...

Same here, Cingular then AT&T. Billing has been fine, customer service for the most part is good(can’t say the same for the DSL/Uverse team though). But, I get too much of buffering video and just general slowness. I just want to try to get better speeds.
 
Well, I've always had great speeds. Back when 3G came online, I had a nice 3.2 Mb/s which later went up to 5.7 Mb/s in the 3GS.

With the 4 and 4S I always hit 12 Mb/s and with LTE, I have rarely seen anything less than 20 Mb/s. Only network hiccups occur in areas around events.
 
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I finally pulled the trigger. Part way, only on the iPad for now, haven’t ported numbers yet, still want to test different locations, but so far T-Mobile has been great:

A0D87ED1-C01F-4C16-A43C-518C1D3DCF8A.jpeg
 
SidewaysTakumi said:
I have been with AT&T since before Cingular took them over (whenever that was) and have had some issues, but mostly billing related and not really related to service/coverage/data. So when I started having issues I was thinking they'd fix them just like they had previously with other issues. Apparently I was wrong.

It feels nice to be with Verizon. Their app, customer service and general billing system seem slightly nicer to me than AT&T. For example, their bills are VERY customer friendly and they breakdown exactly what you're being charged for and why. Also, their customer service has been fast and responsive.
Click to expand...

Yeah I will say Verizon’s app and customer service is pretty good. I switched last year from ATT to Verizon but eventually came back to ATT. Verizon’s LTE is fast but hope you never don’t drop down to their 3g service. Is basically unusable.
 
Brandonjr36 said:
Tmo has good speeds there issue is not having service consistently.
Click to expand...

By consistent do you mean coverage? Like dead spots, or speeds not consistent?

I have noticed speeds vary a lot, but always above 30 Mb
 
jjk454ss said:
By consistent do you mean coverage? Like dead spots, or speeds not consistent?

I have noticed speeds vary a lot, but always above 30 Mb
Click to expand...
Like where I live. When I get passed the highway they have zero coverage. I mean you can’t even make a phone call. But in town they had great speeds.
 
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Brandonjr36 said:
Like where I live. When I get passed the highway they have zero coverage. I mean you can’t even make a phone call. But in town they had great speeds.
Click to expand...

That’s my concern, although I live in a pretty rural area and it does work at my home, if I travel I don’t want to lose service
 
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