Forum Discussion

Nadjejd_2050816's avatar
Nadjejd_2050816
SMARTY Enquirer
06-08-2023
Solved

Smarty 5G traffic slows down after a while - looks like throttling... something else?

I’m writing about persistent problems with my data speeds on a Smarty Unlimited data plan.
 
I use my 5G mobile to tether at home. This works very well and download speeds can be as high as 500 MBps in my home, which is near to a 5G mast.
 
However, after a short time (10-30 minutes) the speed will drop to very slow speeds - perhaps 1-2 MBps. In order to fix this, I have to disconnect from the mobile network (by enabling airplane mode), then reconnecting a few seconds later. This immediately returns speeds to very fast 5G speeds, but the slowdown will occur a short time later, and means we have to repeat the process again time and again. We're having to do this many times an hour and it is making the otherwise excellent data speeds unusable.
 
To summarise:
 
- I am always connected to the same (very fast) 5G mast with a strong signal.
- This has been going on for weeks, and the 3 network status checkers shows no issues in our area (Chester).
- I don't believe this is network congestion, as I immediately get high speeds again if I disconnect and reconnect.
- Smarty says they don't throttle or shape traffic, so it shouldn't be that.
- My phone is not overheating, nor is it throttling. I have tried with another 5G phone and get the same problem.
 
Has anybody else experienced the same thing, or does anybody have any advice on what is going on?

18 Replies

  • JackEvis_893770's avatar
    JackEvis_893770
    SMARTY Rookie
    24-11-2025

    I have an unlimited SIM which I use in a wireless 3 router which I bought. I also have a mobile which has 300gb on the plan. My router is capable of 1gbps and I used to get about 300mbps speed on both.. however the router SIM is being throttled. Reset the device and speed goes up (but not to the same speed as the mobile SIM) so I'm dropping to single digits on the router speed whilst still getting 300+ Mbps on the mobile.. the router data SIM has been capped at 75mbps and I can't get it higher any more despite resetting .. so maybe smarty don't throttle but 3 do .? Incidentally my router data SIM usage is below 300gb so I'm not breaking fair usage agreements. Seems rather suspect. It's not congestion but as I stream usually at a fairly constant speed on the router I think they decided to limit that connection speed to manage the network. So whilst it's done in another name it's still throttling in effect.

     

  • KevinBu_1727867's avatar
    KevinBu_1727867
    SMARTY Maverick
    20-11-2023

    The issue is that smarty changes IP every couple of minutes. This can make apps and services believe a dos attack is coming from a device. You can easily replicate this, download Google earth and put it in 3d zoom in and out and watch the percentage stop loading than all your internet slows to zero. It goes normal after a while but if you use a VPN like the one Google has built in the problem does not occur. It is NOT a signal problem congestion is a problem on all networks but this issue is as explained.

  • Rebekah_150's avatar
    Rebekah_150
    Team SMARTY
    07-08-2023

    Hey  Nadjejd_2050816

    Coverage can vary from one location to another, you can check your network status here https://bit.ly/3EzWp6u Our chat agents will also be able to look into this in greater details, https://smarty.co.uk/contact and one of our advisors will be more than happy to help, available daily from 8am – 8pm.

    • JohnComi_342726's avatar
      JohnComi_342726
      SMARTY Maverick
      28-08-2023

      This is a bit of a fudge answer. I live in Wigan WN5 with exactly same problem. Last year 5g speeds were excellent.. I gave up on fibre with Virgin Media and went with a 5G router on Smarty. It was excellent for about 6 months..now 5G speed is useless. No idea how you screwed things up in this area so badly but I have to go back to fibre

      • MSF's avatar
        MSF
        SMARTY Guru
        29-08-2023

        JohnComi_342726  Mobile data will never compete with fibre broadband if you want a stable and high speed connection. Smarty tell you at the outset that it will not be a replacement.

        Who knows, perhaps there are a number of high usage customers like you all connecting to the same mast - surely that would slow things down due to congestion.

  • Strandloper's avatar
    Strandloper
    SMARTY Motivator
    06-08-2023

    Nadjejd_2050816,

    A number of us on the Smarty customers forum have consistently had good to excellent signal strengths and speeds. 

    I certainly haven't had any problems with slowing of speeds.  During busier network times I often get 350+MBpa, but usually between 450 to 700 MBps

     

    • jassingh's avatar
      jassingh
      SMARTY Motivator
      17-08-2023

      Hey StevenW, just out of curiosity what app do you use to check these stats from your SIM card? The one in your screenshot above. Thanks

      • Strandloper's avatar
        Strandloper
        SMARTY Motivator
        17-08-2023

        Hi jassingh,

        I use an app called Mastdata.

        I use it on android based phone, and if memory serves I think it's also available for iOS/apple.