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How Fast Is a Cellphone Modem for Wireless Internet?
Even with new tech, expect data speeds to vary greatly
By Bradley Mitchell Bradley Mitchell Writer Massachusetts Institute of Technology University of Illinois An MIT graduate who brings years of technical experience to articles on SEO, computers, and wireless networking. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on June 30, 2021 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Home Networking Wi-Fi & Wireless The Wireless Connection Routers & Firewalls Network Hubs ISP Broadband Ethernet Installing & Upgrading If connected to your computer properly, smartphones can function as general-purpose network modems. Using your phone as a modem provides portable internet when other options, like Wi-Fi hotspots, have failed. However, the performance of these cellular connections may not meet every user's needs. The theoretical maximum network data transfer rate supported by a cellphone modem varies depending on the communication standards your phone service supports. Performance Across Generations of Cellular Technology
Modern cell network technologies fall under the 4G and 5G classifications. These include LTE, HSPA, EV-DO, and EDGE. 4G has a download speed of around 14 Mbps, while 5G can get between 1 and 10 Gbps. In contrast, older cell technologies offer lower speeds. Ones like GPRS, CDMA, and GSM offer lower speeds around 100 Kbps or lower—similar to the performance of an analog dial-up internet modem.3G technologies offer between 0.5 Mbps and 4 Mbps for downloads. The performance of cell connections varies across service providers, geographic locations, and load (number of active subscribers) in a given location. For these reasons, average or peak network speeds often do not apply. Theoretical vs Actual Cell Modem Performance
As with many networking standards, users of cellphone modems should not expect to achieve this theoretical maximum in practice. The actual bandwidth you will enjoy depends on several factors: The quality of the phone's wireless signal (typically, the distance away from the nearest cell tower).Competing network traffic on the cellphone provider network.The version of the network communication protocol employed by the provider, along with any technical limitations or extensions they implement.The mix of upstream and downstream traffic you generate (cellphone modems support less bandwidth for uploads than for downloads). Consider that the speed of any network depends on the amount of supported bandwidth and also on its latency. A cellphone modem suffers from high latency given the nature of its open-air communications. When using your cellphone as a modem, expect to see sluggish delays and bursts of data transmission, which lower the perceived speed of your connection even further. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How Fast Is a Wi-Fi Network? How to Connect Two Home Computers Through a Network The 9 Best Internet Service Providers of 2022 Frequently Asked Questions About LTE Network Technology How Are 4G and 5G Different? What Is an AirCard for Cellular Networks? Internet Speed Test Sites (Last Updated October 2022) 5 Things to Consider Before Buying a Wireless Router What Do All Those Gs Mean in Wireless Service? What Is HSPA and HSPA+ on 3G Cellphones How Fast Is DSL Internet Service? Understanding Broadband Internet Speeds Are You Getting the Internet Speed You're Paying For? DSL vs. Cable Your Options for High-Speed Internet What Is USB 3.0? (USB 3.0 Definition) Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies