Telkom LTE download speed slower than 3G

[Ivan Leon]

On Sunday, I finally upgraded from a Huawei 3G USB modem (on the Internet Promo5 10GB+10GB data package) to the Huawei B315s-936 LTE router (with the 50GB+50GB data package) at the local Telkom Mobile outlet.

Expecting lightning fast access speeds - as I had checked first if I was in fact in an area covered by LTE - I connected the B315 Router to my desktop PC with the supplied LAN cable, and ran Speedtest to see how much faster LTE was, compared to 3G.

Much to my chagrin and surprise, the LTE download connection speed is actually SLOWER than the LTE upload speed!

The network settings were set to 3G only and then LTE only, to do comparative back-to-back Speedtest diagnostics. I had both external antennas inserted and set to Auto.

Here are my results - done this morning:

1. 3G network only setting - Ping: 22 ms / Download speed: 4.37 Mb/s / Upload speed: 1.66 Mb/s



2. LTE network only setting (test 1) - Ping: 20 ms / Download speed: 2.28 Mb/s / Upload speed: 5.30 MB/s



3. LTE network only setting (test 2) - Ping: 20 ms / Download speed: 3.77 Mb/s / Upload speed: 3.79 MB/s



The second LTE Speedtest gave me virtually identical download and upload speeds - as seen above.

:wtf:

What can the issue be - is it simply a faulty LTE router - or just LTE base station congestion causing the dramatically degraded LTE download speeds, as compared to 3G?

 

[Muttley]

There are so many factors that you need to look at:
1. What are your router stats like?
Correct Antenna installation is a must!
2. You could be connecting on the 1800 band vs the 2300 band or vice versa
3. Tower congestion is another yet it shouldn't be this low
4. Your tower may not have a decent backhaul.

My suggestion:
1. Set the router to 4G Only
2. Set the router to extrernal antenna only
3. Check what your router stats are like- if they're good then great, if not, try moving your antenna till you pick up the best stats
4. Check which band you're connecting to- change to 2300 if necessary
5. Check this thread: http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php/715156-Telkom-Uncapped-LTE-Deal-My-Trials-So-Far/page288 to check how to change frequency bands

Good luck

 

[Ivan Leon]

It took two weeks for 'Hellkom Slow-bile' to actually rectify their glacial LTE Mobile download speeds, which I had experienced from Day 1 of obtaining it!



Don't know what they did to the LTE towers in my area, but I sure am glad to get a reasonable download speed at last!

Here's hoping it's a permanent situation.

 

[RedhotNeo]

It took two weeks for 'Hellkom Slow-bile' to actually rectify their glacial LTE Mobile download speeds, which I had experienced from Day 1 of obtaining it!

View attachment 405824

Don't know what they did to the LTE towers in my area, but I sure am glad to get a reasonable download speed at last!

Here's hoping it's a permanent situation.

Thats on the slow side.. but atleast its better than before..

use the Huawei toolkit to determine which network band u connecting to. 2300Mhz or 1800Mhz.. change the bands and check what speed tests results u get