What determines internet speed of a cellphone?

[InternetSwag]

Is it the phone itself or Vodacom?

 

[Phil Phonefinder]

Hi InternetSwag

The answer is both.

The network: In some areas you’ll be stuck slower internet protocols (like EDGE). In some areas you'll receive "3G", "3.5G" or "4G". The speed you'll receive (as a factor of your network) will also differ according to load (number of active subscribers) at a given location and time.

The Phone: depending on the technology of your phone your internet speed will also differ. Your phone will determine what maximum speed you can possibly get (EDGE, 3G, 3.5G or 4G).

Hope that helps.

Is it the phone itself or Vodacom?

 

[Viva]

The explanation above is correct, but realistically speaking, in almost all cases, the speed you're getting is limited by the network.

You'll have to use a really old phone to blame the phone as the limiting factor.

 

[InternetSwag]

Hi InternetSwag

The answer is both.

The network: In some areas you’ll be stuck slower internet protocols (like EDGE). In some areas you'll receive "3G", "3.5G" or "4G". The speed you'll receive (as a factor of your network) will also differ according to load (number of active subscribers) at a given location and time.

The Phone: depending on the technology of your phone your internet speed will also differ. Your phone will determine what maximum speed you can possibly get (EDGE, 3G, 3.5G or 4G).

Hope that helps.

The explanation above is correct, but realistically speaking, in almost all cases, the speed you're getting is limited by the network.

You'll have to use a really old phone to blame the phone as the limiting factor.

That does help, a lot actually, thanks guys!

So sim card doesn't really matter? Or do we all get the same 'standard' speeds from Vodacom?

 

[Viva]

That does help, a lot actually, thanks guys!

So sim card doesn't really matter? Or do we all get the same 'standard' speeds from Vodacom?

I'm not sure about Vodacom, but in some cases (MTN) you need a LTE enabled sim card to be able to use the LTE network. But for this to work, you also need a LTE capable phone, of course.

If you're not worried about LTE, your sim will not limit the speed of your 3G or H+ connection.

Just to illustrate the point. My phone does not support LTE, and neither does my sim card. My phone supports HSDPA 42.2 Mbps. Speedtest.net shows that I rarely get speeds faster than 5 Mbps. This is MTN's fault and has nothing to do with either my sim card or my phone.

 

[TelcoGuru]

The SIM card does not play a role in speed limiting. It is however used for authentication to the 2G, 3G/LTE network. If you have an LTE phone with and old SIM only supporting 2G authentication you will not achieve LTE speeds.