Kitz Forum

Broadband Related => Mobile broadband => Topic started by: sof006 on May 26, 2021, 06:38:52 PM

Title: Average Speeds Checker?
Post by: sof006 on May 26, 2021, 06:38:52 PM
So I know we have things like BT's DSL checker and websites for broadband that advise average speeds, but is there any websites out there that specify the average speed in your area for mobile broadband? (4G, 5G)

Googling around I can't find any...
Title: Re: Average Speeds Checker?
Post by: Alex Atkin UK on May 26, 2021, 08:33:45 PM
The problem with any "average" speed checker is it would require constant testing which in turn increases load on the tower, making it perform worse.  It also wouldn't necessarily mean a lot, as there is no "sync" speed to monitor, its more dependant on your reception and other tower uses that second.

Its like trying to measure the "average" speed of a public WiFi network, its really not practical IMO.
Title: Re: Average Speeds Checker?
Post by: Ixel on May 26, 2021, 09:16:17 PM
A possible source of data would be RootMetrics ( https://webcoveragemap.rootmetrics.com/en-GB ), change the layer to the 'fastest speed found'. Cellmapper ( https://www.cellmapper.net/map ) is also useful for identify nearby mast locations as well as their bands and bandwidth. Cellmapper won't inform you of the potential load on the mast however. Clicking on a mast will show the potential directional range and coverage from that mast too.

I used both of those, as well as getting some PAYG SIM cards to do a few speed tests, consisting of the main providers like O2, Three, EE and finally an exception MVNO (Voxi, which is closely tied in with Vodafone as you can quickly convert your Vodafone SIM to a Voxi SIM without needing a new SIM card). I wouldn't recommend trying other MVNO's, try sticking to the main provider if possible. After my speed tests I found Voxi to perform the best, with O2 coming second place and others failing to to deliver more than a few megabits where I am. This is of course depending highly on your location.
Title: Re: Average Speeds Checker?
Post by: sof006 on May 26, 2021, 09:47:32 PM
A possible source of data would be RootMetrics ( https://webcoveragemap.rootmetrics.com/en-GB ), change the layer to the 'fastest speed found'. Cellmapper ( https://www.cellmapper.net/map ) is also useful for identify nearby mast locations as well as their bands and bandwidth. Cellmapper won't inform you of the potential load on the mast however. Clicking on a mast will show the potential directional range and coverage from that mast too.

I used both of those, as well as getting some PAYG SIM cards to do a few speed tests, consisting of the main providers like O2, Three, EE and finally an exception MVNO (Voxi, which is closely tied in with Vodafone as you can quickly convert your Vodafone SIM to a Voxi SIM without needing a new SIM card). I wouldn't recommend trying other MVNO's, try sticking to the main provider if possible. After my speed tests I found Voxi to perform the best, with O2 coming second place and others failing to to deliver more than a few megabits where I am. This is of course depending highly on your location.
I suppose this would be the closest thing to finding out my answer, thanks  ;D
Title: Re: Average Speeds Checker?
Post by: sof006 on May 28, 2021, 11:51:13 PM
Decided to test my phones download speed on Three because i'm bored.

Downloading a game through Steam using Three's 4G network in my area resulted in this speed

https://ibb.co/SVG144B

My landline speed is 8MB/s for comparison...  :-[
Title: Re: Average Speeds Checker?
Post by: Ronski on May 29, 2021, 09:31:54 AM
A few months back I ran a 4G speed test experiment using a dedicated 4G modem, I'm very close to the tower, speeds were all over the place, max around 200Mbps, lowest just above 10 IIRC.

See graph here https://forum.kitz.co.uk/index.php/topic,25565.msg429328.html#msg429328
Title: Re: Average Speeds Checker?
Post by: Alex Atkin UK on May 29, 2021, 03:25:07 PM
I generally get between 50-120Mbit on Voxi (Vodafone), when I was on Three I got something like between 1-100Mbit, but mostly it tended to hang around 20.

The Vodafone mast is very close by, the Three is more obstructed, though I tried from outside my GP surgery where I can see the mast itself so perfect line of sight, it still sucked.

I don't think there is any magic sauce to this, its just down to which network is the most congested in your area.  Three marketed their Unlimited service really hard whereas Voxi is less well known.  I also think Vodafone mast locations are much more strategic so spread the load much better than Three in my area.