Slow Data Speeds (T-Mobile) - Nexus 5 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hi all. I've been a long time Nexus 5 user and lately, my LTE speeds seemed to have come to a crawl. Most noticeably at work where I used to get good speeds easily. I thought it may be my SIM card going out so I went to T-Mobile and replaced it but it didn't seem to change anything. I was told that since it's an older phone, it may be looking for those older towers that T-Mobile has been updating which the Nexus 5 doesn't have the bands for. I've attached some screenshots of some speedtest results I took. When connected to 4G, it was crawling. Switching to 3G gave me faster speeds.
And I have looked into APN settings. They look to be the right settings for T-Mobile. Since it's a Nexus, I thought about flashing different radios and seeing if that does anything. Haven't tried it yet though. I was just wondering if anyone else has been experiencing this as well.

Related

Download speed under 1.5 MB/s?

Before I begin, I already have the latest updates and everything on my phone. Also, all tests were done at full bars connected to HSPA+.
As stated in the title, I have never gotten over 1.5 MB/s in a Speedtest. I tried my phone out in 10 different parts of my city today (San Jose) and always stayed under 1.5 MB/s.
What could be causing this issue? The SIM card I am using is from an old phone (like 5 months old, was from a Captivate), could that be the reason why? The AT&T rep said that is the reason, but I don't know if that is fully correct, since HSPA is just an installment to 3G and it isn't real 4G like LTE is. So it should work, right?
What other troubleshooting steps should I take?
That's better then me, I usually get below 1mbs.
Att network just really isn't all that great, and they could also be working on the network in your area as well.
mudknot2005 said:
That's better then me, I usually get below 1mbs.
Att network just really isn't all that great, and they could also be working on the network in your area as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got higher network speeds in the same areas using my iPhone 3GS!!! I got around 2 MB/s using my 3GS, and it just seemed to drop once I got my Inspire. My speeds have always been this low for the Inspire.
It will also depend on load on the network. I average 1.5 mb/s but late at night early morning i get better then 2 mb/s. Ive seen people post better speeds then that but haven't seen them myself personally. To many things could be playing into this. But i don't think its the phone or sim. I think its ATT.
Just got 2890 kbps down with 345 kbps up. Ping was 169ms. That's a lot faster than anything I got with my eXpo.
I said "**** mobile data" a loooong time ago.
WiFi all the way, baby.
Between trying to figure out whether it's the phone, the rom, the radio, the ril, the build.prop, the area, the flock of birdies flying over head, or just good old ATT, you'll go nuts.
It is what it is.
Ideally, what you need to do, and it may not be possible for you now that you have the inspire, is test out your old phone, or at least borrow somebody's of the same model, side by side. Or another inspire, side by side. That'll at least answer a couple potential scenarios.
Get your SIM swapped at ATT. I've done that and it solved some issues. Sometimes they get goofy and need to be freshened up.
Inspired Ace 1.0.1¦ XDA Premium
Have you tried different radios to see which one works best for your area?
Did you already try pulling and re-inserting the battery?
Sent from my Desire HD using Tapatalk

[Q] What APN works best for you?

Hi all,
Yesterday I found a thread here somewhere that listed some different APN settings that may provide faster data than the stock T-Mo one, but after 30 minutes of searching around, I cannot find it again.
What APN settings seem to work best for you? I was getting between 5Mbps-6Mbps down on my Vibrant, and figured it should be noticeably faster on the Sensation, but it's the same (it was 3Mbps until I changed to the SIM that came with the Sensation, now it's back up to 5-6). I know T-Mo recently upgraded the towers in San Diego (where I live) to accommodate the new 42Mbps stream, but I'm still getting between 5 and 6 down.
Any replies with alternate APN settings that work better (for you) would be appreciated. Thanks!
The 42 Mbps is theoretical speeds. Right now the fastest anyone can get is 10 & that's only with the USB modem they sell. If you're getting 5-6 you're getting pretty good speeds
sent from HTC Sensation
howetechnical said:
Hi all,
Yesterday I found a thread here somewhere that listed some different APN settings that may provide faster data than the stock T-Mo one, but after 30 minutes of searching around, I cannot find it again.
What APN settings seem to work best for you? I was getting between 5Mbps-6Mbps down on my Vibrant, and figured it should be noticeably faster on the Sensation, but it's the same (it was 3Mbps until I changed to the SIM that came with the Sensation, now it's back up to 5-6). I know T-Mo recently upgraded the towers in San Diego (where I live) to accommodate the new 42Mbps stream, but I'm still getting between 5 and 6 down.
Any replies with alternate APN settings that work better (for you) would be appreciated. Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just so you'll know, the Sensation is NOT capable of HSPA+ 42Mbps.
The only thing that is capable right now from TMo is that rocket stick 3.0 for laptops etc.
5-7mb down is about as good as you'll ever get on the Sensation. In theroy it can get 14.4mbps down....in theroy...not reality.
You'll have to wait for a phone that supports the 42mbps down....even then you'd be lucky to hit a third of that. As is the same with 14.4....
The good news is that Tmo says it will make the 14.4 capable devices a little more consistent. That could negligible though....and also complete BS.
Here is their press release awhile back....
http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/24/t-mobile-flips-on-42mbps-hspa-across-55-markets-to-launch-rock/

whats wrong with nexus s 4g

hi all. I myself have a moto atrix 4g on att. i am familiar with rooting unlocking bl and flashing. so i decided to help my friend with his nexus s 4g unrooted, locked, on stock sprint 4.0.4 build IMM76D, baseband D720SPRLC1, kernel 3.0.8.
last night I unlocked bl, rooted and installed cm9 posted by burnsra as I saw it was the most popular cm9 by replies or views. now all this started because my atrix was having double the reception compared to ns4g in everything wifi, network, data. so i thought cm9 would do something good here. but after installing it successfully the wifi signal is at 2 bars the data reception is at one bar, the 4g reception non existent.
Is there any new baseband that would enhance the reception of wifi, sprint network 3/4g?
right now I am on baseband D720SPRLC1.
test i did: i installed speedtest.net app on both phones. i was 10 feet from my home router N with no walls, doors in between. ns4g was always 5-7 mbps download, slower than atrix and almost 2mbps slower in upload.
never mind for data speed. ( i know its apple to oranges, att/sprint) but still atrix was 10 times faster on att hspa+ than ns4g on sprint with 4g on.
wifi and network bars are most of the time at 2 bars.
is there anything left to do to make it better in reception?
any ideas suggestions are welcome.
thanks
You can try different basebands. Depending on your area, whatever you flash can either improve or worsen the signal. I've heard Sprint doesn't have the greatest in terms of 4G speeds. I'm no expert on network speeds and such, but I think it also have to do with whatever technology is being used for the networks. HSPA+ is gonna be faster I believe. My G2 has faster download speeds than my NS IIRC. I haven't done a real world comparison lately. I think my G2 was getting like 10 down a few years ago on campus. Lol. My NS only gets like 5 or 6.
Actually, you answered your own question ... it is an apples to oranges comparison. Wimax download speeds of 5-7 sound about right, and uploads will be slower. There's no question that Sprint is way behind AT&T and Verizon with their advanced data networks. In the meantime, what you experienced is just about all there is for now. The LC1 radio is the most current.
wmdunn said:
Actually, you answered your own question ... it is an apples to oranges comparison. Wimax download speeds of 5-7 sound about right, and uploads will be slower. There's no question that Sprint is way behind AT&T and Verizon with their advanced data networks. In the meantime, what you experienced is just about all there is for now. The LC1 radio is the most current.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
omg now I understand why I pay a little bit more on att network.
anyway is there any combination between kernels and basebands that might give some better reception on ns4g?
thanks
hormosapiens said:
omg now I understand why I pay a little bit more on att network.
anyway is there any combination between kernels and basebands that might give some better reception on ns4g?
thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There really isn't anything that can be done to make much of a difference. I flashed the latest CM9 nightly, checked my 4g speeds and they are in the 3-4 range ...and I can see the Sprint tower across the road. Most of us who are hanging onto Sprint, in spite of the service ... are doing so because of the unlimited data. But, Sprint really needs to break out the LTE soon, or there may be a massive exodus.

3G Issues

First of all, my LTE works fine, this is only an issue with the 3G radios. Basically, I often have issues with 3G actually sending and receiving data. When it does, it is slower than 1X for me. It drains the battery at crazy rates such as 20%/hr with little to no use. This has happened regardless of rom, although now I am on the stock f1 update and unrooted. I bought this phone used so there's no hope of a CLNR. I've had it "fixed" by samsung twice and nothing has changed. Any ideas? I have an upgrade but I'm waiting for the One or the 5S and REALLY don't want to use it on a phone I wouldn't be happy with.
Same exact problem here. 4G works fine. 3G is essentially useless. Often when it changes to 3G, I wish it would just go to 1X so that at least it would be functional. I've never really found a solution. The other day my phone was in 3G and I tried to send a text msg with a picture. It took almost ten minutes. Completely useless.
Friends with 3G Verizon phones never have any problems. They always get a solid 3G connection. I used to be with Sprint (useless) and set my Evo to roam on Verizon because the 3G was so much more responsive and quick than Sprint. Not seeing that with my S3.
usmaak said:
Same exact problem here. 4G works fine. 3G is essentially useless. Often when it changes to 3G, I wish it would just go to 1X so that at least it would be functional. I've never really found a solution. The other day my phone was in 3G and I tried to send a text msg with a picture. It took almost ten minutes. Completely useless.
Friends with 3G Verizon phones never have any problems. They always get a solid 3G connection. I used to be with Sprint (useless) and set my Evo to roam on Verizon because the 3G was so much more responsive and quick than Sprint. Not seeing that with my S3.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah none of my friends have issues either. My friend with her iPhone 5 was using it next to me and it loaded pages in just a few seconds, still slower than 3G, but mine took almost a minute.
Amphibliam said:
Yeah none of my friends have issues either. My friend with her iPhone 5 was using it next to me and it loaded pages in just a few seconds, still slower than 3G, but mine took almost a minute.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Forgot to mention... My wife's also got an S3. Mine's rooted with CleanROM and LK1 modem. Her's has the latest update. She has the same issues with 3G. She also had them on MB1.
Fortunately my phone doesn't flip over to 3G often. But when it does, I just stick it back in my pocket, because it won't do anything useful until it switches back to 4G.
I've never found the answer to this problem, but I'd really like to. I understand that this is a 4G phone, but it should be able to fall back to 3G with no problems.
usmaak said:
Forgot to mention... My wife's also got an S3. Mine's rooted with CleanROM and LK1 modem. Her's has the latest update. She has the same issues with 3G. She also had them on MB1.
Fortunately my phone doesn't flip over to 3G often. But when it does, I just stick it back in my pocket, because it won't do anything useful until it switches back to 4G.
I've never found the answer to this problem, but I'd really like to. I understand that this is a 4G phone, but it should be able to fall back to 3G with no problems.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
FYI, I just tried AOSP for the hell of it and data speeds are much better. Too bad it seems a bit buggy. :/
nvm, speeds still absolutely blow
i have a network extender and most of the time I can't send pic messages..piece of ****...ive tried multiple basebands...im convinced its the phone
sent from a violated Vzw Galaxy s3
Amphibliam said:
FYI, I just tried AOSP for the hell of it and data speeds are much better. Too bad it seems a bit buggy. :/
nvm, speeds still absolutely blow
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Theoretically AOSP ROMs should have absolutely no effect on data or voice since they don;t touch the radio firmware.
I was in a 3G zone this evening and did a speedtest.
23 kbps down. It died when trying to run the upload portion of the test. Friends with regular 3G phones routinely get 800 kbps - 1200 kbbs down.
I agree. It has to be the phone. And given that it seems to happen across multiple radios and only to some people, it's probably hardware related. Doesn't matter when I get 4G. Sucks when I can't.
I'm going to be at camp for a week soon and I only get 3G there so I'm strongly considering buying a used 4S until a new phone comes.
I have 3g signal in the house.. wide open all bars with a network extender..I go outside to get 4g, then it will send pic messages. dumbphone
sent from a violated Vzw Galaxy s3
Amphibliam said:
I'm going to be at camp for a week soon and I only get 3G there so I'm strongly considering buying a used 4S until a new phone comes.
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Click to collapse
I don;t think its a Samsung problem, more like a Verizon wide issue. If you look in the verizon user forums, all the Iphone and HTC and Moto folks complain about the same things.
https://community.verizonwireless.com/thread/784496
I don't think so. Not only are they not complaining about just 3G, my friends' phones work fine.
Not only that, but my GNex I had before this somehow consistently had 2 mbps dl speeds on 3g.
Friends on Verizon with 3g only phones get excellent speeds where I am at. Verizon 3g is not the problem around here. On 3g phones, it is fast and responsive. When switching from Sprint, I went with Verizon based on the quality of its 3g.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2
I thought it was just me been having the same problem. Suddenly no 4g at home and 3g is no good. Good thing I have the WiFi.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
Shamec said:
I thought it was just me been having the same problem. Suddenly no 4g at home and 3g is no good. Good thing I have the WiFi.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Too bad you have to rely on something else that you pay for independently for your phone to be able to do its job. These phones should work on 3G. I have to imagine that there are some who don't have 4G that have to rely on 3G. Maybe they just don't get this phone, or get it and return it?

[Q] LTE signal strength

I'm in Chicago, and have noticed that I am barely averaging a single bar on LTE with my S6 edge, whereas my Nexus 5 was fine. I've read a couple of posts elsewhere complaining of similar issues on the Sprint site. Anyone else? Could this just be a firmware/radio problem? My PRL and profile are up to date.
I too am having troubles with my LTE signal on my edge. I also live in Chicago. I recently upgraded from an HTC one M8.
Same here switched from non spark s4 and notice slower speeds loading google maps and other apps
Sent from my SM-G925P using XDA Free mobile app
I had the same issue. I was missing notifications called Sprint and did the ##72786# and things seem to be working better.
skinneejay said:
I had the same issue. I was missing notifications called Sprint and did the ##72786# and things seem to be working better.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll try that on my phone, I am experiencing the same thing in Milwaukee
Im having issues as well this is really pissing me off its an $850 phone for God's sake.
I guess it depends a lot on area. I live in SoCal, north Orange County to be more specific, and my LTE performance is way better than my Sprint GS4 in terms of speed, coverage, and stability.
Sent from my SM-G925P using Tapatalk
Each manufacturer uses the signal bars differently in terms of interpreting strength of signal. I would suggest downloading signal check pro and comparing.
That being said, the s6 is generally worse RF wise than the n5 and s5, which was known before hand. Not alot worse, but slightly. Typically about -5db
lilbilly said:
Each manufacturer uses the signal bars differently in terms of interpreting strength of signal. I would suggest downloading signal check pro and comparing.
That being said, the s6 is generally worse RF wise than the n5 and s5, which was known before hand. Not alot worse, but slightly. Typically about -5db
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I upgraded from an m7 to the edge. In my zone my speeds increased from 6 to 22. Listen.. Hitting 4.0 or more on a torrent is worth it all. Also all the ladies love me now
Sent from my SM-G925P using XDA Free mobile app
With my Sprint Galaxy S4 and Nexus 5 on AT&T, I never reached such speeds.
First run. Band 41 (Clearwire 2500 MHz).
I'm also getting 4G LTE in more places than before compared to the S4. For instance, I would always fall down to 3G inside a Costco in Garden Grove I go to. But yesterday, I was on Band 41 and the speed was good. Same for my front porch and inside my home - from 3G to 4G LTE on Band 41.
​
I don't know i try everything, reset the phone, clean cache, switch to lte/CDMA, updated prl and firmware, new provisioning, still lag in opening any data dependent app
Chicago area
No problems before on s3 s4 and s5 witch is also spark
Sent from my SM-G925P using XDA Free mobile app
Same issue here in Miami, well similar. Some apps on Sprints Network take forever to load data, keep in mind it's only Apps. Like Google Music, Facebook, Instagram and a couple more. If I connect to WiFi it all works fast and information loads immediately. Once again on Sprints Network it loads and loads and loads you get the point....
The only thing that solves this issue is connecting through a VPN. When i'm on sprints network and on VPN it all works as it should. WTF Sprint.
I am constantly moving between 1 bar with spark, and 3G. I ran the speed test and don't even get near 1mbps. Last week my Galaxy s4 was at least 10 times faster than my s6 edge. hoping for updates that fix this.
Maverick745 said:
I am constantly moving between 1 bar with spark, and 3G. I ran the speed test and don't even get near 1mbps. Last week my Galaxy s4 was at least 10 times faster than my s6 edge. hoping for updates that fix this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same here in Austin. My wife and I were sitting in the waiting room at the vet so our dog could get his checkup. I was trying to download a book on the Kindle app and had only 1 bar. I ran the speedtest app and was lucky to get a download speed of 100k. My wife has Sprint's GS5 and was showing 4 bars with Spark and getting 10Mbps on the Speedtest app. I had her turn her hotspot on and I connected via wifi. Then I thought, why doesn't the vet's office offer wifi since there always seems to be people waiting. Of course, it really wouldn't be an issue if my expensive new GS6 Edge worked just as well as the GS5. I really hope an update comes out soon that fixes it. Also sad that it suffers from the same 'you can't do data and voice at the same time' issue that the GS5 had.
Returned mine two phones, couldn't stand it .Called sprint they waived restocking fee .
I think you guys should start calling them the guy from tech support said they not aware of the issue.
Sent from my SM-G900P using XDA Free mobile app
oh god I thought it was just me.
We finally got 4G LTE in Springfield, Illinois
my samsung galaxy s4 was working amazingly.
But now with this galaxy s6 edge I wait around longer than usual to load.
****ing sucks..
any ideas?
I usually check sensorly.com
My speeds are like a third of what they were with my s5
Frequently even less than that
Heck even texts take a long time to send
Sent from my SM-G925P

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