6 Reasons Why 4G Mobile Connection is Slow

A reliable and fast mobile web connection has become an important part of our everyday lives. However, many users frequently need help because their 4G mobile connections could be faster. This article explores a variety of factors that can cause poor mobile networks and, ultimately, how to deal when 4G is slow in the UK.

Why Is My 4G So Slow?

There are a lot of reasons that can degrade the quality of the signal. We will review the main ones and ultimately provide you with a solution to fix them all.

1) Network Congestion

When too many people try to use the same cell tower simultaneously, they just use up all the available data and cause network congestion. This can slow down data speeds because the network must work harder to meet the high demand.

Solution:

• Use your mobile device during non-peak hours, when there will be less demand on the network.
• Certain applications and web browsers have mobile data compression settings available. These settings reduce the amount of data sent over the network, which may result in a faster connection.

2) Network Coverage Gaps

Coverage gaps are widespread in 4G networks. Practical factors, including rural or urban areas, dense forests, or mountainous areas, cause them. Coverage gaps can disturb your mobile internet experience, making navigation, communication, and online services harder.

Solution:

• Check the coverage maps from your network provider to find places with good 4G reception. Plan your activities so you don't rely too much on mobile data in poor coverage.
• When going to places with spotty coverage, download maps, music, or videos to use when you don't have service. Then, you can access important information even if your mobile 4G networks are slow or not working.

3) Signal Interference

Signal interference can come from several everyday places, especially in big city buildings. Namely, one of the main reasons for “Why is my 4G slow?” lies in electrical interference from things like microwaves, cordless phones, and Bluetooth devices. 

Solution:

• Try going to a place where you can better perceive the nearest cell tower. This can help boost your internet speeds and signal strength.
• Turn off or move away from electronics that might interfere with your mobile phone signal, like microwave ovens or wireless devices.

4) Limited Spectrum

The spectrum is the set of radio frequencies that mobile networks can use. The available spectrum can get overloaded in places with many people who use a lot of data traffic. Multiple devices won't be able to receive high-speed data at the same time because there are practical limits on how much data can be transmitted within the given spectrum.

Solution:

• Certain smartphones give you the option to manually choose a frequency band that is less crowded. You can try out different bands to see if they can help improve your connection speed.
• Think about moving to a device that works with 5G and check when 5G networks will be available in your area. 5G networks have more bandwidth than 4G networks and can offer faster speeds.

5) Network Infrastructure Limitations

None of the solutions helped, and you still have the question: “Why is my 4G so bad?”.

Some limitations affecting mobile phone service are outdated hardware and software in cell towers, resulting in insufficient capacity to handle 4G data going to and from the towers. For example, cell towers in rural locations often use old technology, which adds to traffic and slows down internet speeds. Because of the limit, calls can be dropped, text messages can be sent late, and the internet can be frustratingly slow, especially during peak times.

Solution:

• You can use apps or websites that give real-time network diagnostics to examine the status of your network provider's infrastructure. This helps you identify and avoid places where infrastructure improvements are required.

6) Background Apps and Updates

Some apps run in the background and use your data without you realizing it, even if you're not actively using them. Too many background apps and automatic updates on your phone can be the reason for the ever-question “Why is my 4G mobile data so slow?”. Streaming services, social media, and system updates are frequently the culprits behind these issues. When your data gets used up, there's less bandwidth available for other tasks.

Solution:

• Find the heavy-on-data apps that are quietly eating up your data and adjust app permissions so they can't use your mobile data when you aren't using them.
• Set your device to receive updates and sync data during off-peak hours or when connected to Wi-Fi.

How to Speed Up a Slow 4G Connection?

All the solutions described above are legit and will help you to increase the speed of your 4G. But what if your office is in a rural area or far from the cell tower? Or if you need to call a client during pick hours when the speed is far from optimal? If you've been dealing with frustratingly slow 4G mobile connections and are looking for a reliable solution to improve your mobile internet experience, you've come to the right place. 

UCtel is a well-known company that provides high-quality solutions for better office communication, reliability, and strong connectivity for consumers. With internal signal-boosting solutions, next-generation private 5G networks, and unified communications software, we are at the forefront of changing businesses' digital networks and moving large enterprises into the age of technology, away from the phrase:  “Again, my 4G is slow.” Contact us today, and forget about the problems with your communication.

Final Thoughts

If you want to make the most of your mobile devices and have fast internet access, it's important to understand and fix the reasons why your 4G connection is slow. While you can improve your 4G with some DIY, like moving to the cell-tower-facing side of the building or reschedule your meetings to the times no one uses the network, the only reliable solution to fix the problem is to make use of mobile signal boosters, provided by a trusted partner like UCtel. Receive our expertise and solutions to enhance the speed and efficiency of your 4G experience.