Mobile Data Speed Test: Good 5G Speeds and Data Throttling Speeds

Good mobile internet speed on 5G and 4G

A result measured on a phone can be read with the same thresholds as a fiber connection. Download is how fast you receive data, upload is how fast you send it, and ping is how quickly the server responds.

5G can sometimes reach several hundred Mbps, but the result changes a lot with your distance from the cell tower, whether you are indoors or outdoors, and how many other people nearby are using the network. Even in the same spot, the numbers may drop when your phone falls back to 4G. Seeing "5G" on the screen does not mean it will always be fast.

Because mobile connections travel over radio, ping and jitter (how much ping varies) can be higher than on fiber. The full table of guidelines by activity is in our internet speed guide.

What is data throttling?

Data throttling means your connection speed is held down to a low level, typically after you use up the data included in your plan. Mobile providers usually publish the cap that applies while you are throttled, for example "up to 128 kbps for both download and upload." kbps means kilobits per second; 1,000 kbps is 1 Mbps.

There are three main situations in which throttling kicks in.

• You used up your monthly data: this happens on plans with a small allowance. In many cases it lasts until the end of the month.
• You passed a certain amount on an "unlimited" plan: some plans apply a condition such as "more than 300GB in the last 30 days" and slow you down after that.
• Traffic management during congestion or heavy use: in this case the provider may not state a specific speed.

Normal speed comes back when the next month starts, or on some plans when you buy extra data (some kinds of throttling, such as passing the threshold on an unlimited plan, cannot be lifted by buying more data). If your phone suddenly gets slow, first check your remaining data in your provider's app. For other causes, see why your internet is slow.

Typical throttled speeds: 128 kbps, 300 kbps and 1 Mbps

The exact throttled speed depends on the provider and the plan, but a few tiers are commonly seen: 128 kbps, 300 kbps and 1 Mbps. On plans sold as "unlimited," the slowdown after passing a usage threshold can be milder: a few Mbps (4.5 Mbps or 5 Mbps, for example) rather than a few hundred kbps. Some plans also give tethering its own, lower limit.

Plans and conditions change, and some providers do not publish a number at all. Before you sign up, and when you are throttled, check your provider's official plan page to see which tier applies to you. Once you know the number, the next section shows what that speed is realistically good for.

What you can and can't do while throttled

Let's compare the throttled speeds with the guidelines above. All of them are under 10 Mbps, so in the threshold table they fall into the "too slow" category.

It helps to think in terms of time. 1 MB equals 8 Mb (8,000 kb), so receiving 1 MB of data takes about 63 seconds at 128 kbps, about 27 seconds at 300 kbps, and about 8 seconds at 1 Mbps (theoretical values calculated as 8,000 ÷ speed). YouTube lists the recommended sustained speed as 0.7 Mbps for 360p, 1.1 Mbps for 480p and 2.5 Mbps for 720p.

How it actually feels depends on how the app or site is built and on congestion. For an important meeting or a large download, connecting over Wi-Fi or a fiber line is the reliable choice.

How to run a mobile data speed test properly

Results on a phone vary a lot with conditions. Keeping the following points the same makes your numbers easier to compare.

This site automatically picks the location with the lowest ping from our own server in Sapporo and 37 public mirrors around the world. In Japan, from Honshu, "Tokyo" is usually selected. We do not use ads or third-party trackers. For step-by-step instructions, see how to run an accurate speed test.

Tethering speed

Tethering (a personal hotspot) lets your phone act as a router so a laptop or other device can get online through it. The speed limit is the same as your phone's mobile connection, with an extra Wi-Fi or USB link between the phone and the laptop added on top.

If the value measured on the laptop is lower than on the phone alone, that link may be the cause. Moving the phone closer to the laptop, or connecting with USB, can sometimes help. Some plans also set a separate limit for tethering. In Japan, for example, one unlimited plan allows a combined 60GB for tethering and data sharing, after which the speed drops to a maximum of 128 kbps.

Why budget SIM plans slow down at lunchtime

Budget SIM providers (MVNOs, mobile virtual network operators) offer service by renting part of a major carrier's network. Because their users share the rented capacity, it is generally said that they get congested more easily when usage peaks. The noon hour, when many people use their phones at the same time, is a typical example.

If it is slow only at lunchtime, test at other times too and compare. If it is fast in the evening or morning, the cause is likely congestion rather than a fault in the line or your phone. Congestion varies by season and region, so we cannot say that any particular provider is fast or slow.

Coverage maps and published speeds

Most mobile providers publish a coverage map showing where their signal reaches, and some also publish measured speeds: the speeds users can actually get, rather than the theoretical maximum. In some countries these measurements follow rules set by the regulator. They are a useful starting point when choosing a provider or checking whether 5G is available where you live.

Keep in mind that published values reflect the places and times they were measured. The most reliable way to know the speed in the places you actually spend time is to run a mobile data speed test there yourself.

FAQ

What speed do you get when your data is throttled?

It depends on the plan. Common examples are up to 128 kbps, 300 kbps or 1 Mbps for both download and upload. Some unlimited plans slow down to 4.5 Mbps or 5 Mbps after passing a usage threshold.

What can you do at 128 kbps?

Text messages and email can be sent and received if you are willing to wait. Receiving 1 MB of data takes about 63 seconds at that speed, so image-heavy pages and video are difficult.

What is a good 5G speed?

5G can sometimes reach several hundred Mbps, but it varies a lot with location and congestion. As a guideline, 10–30 Mbps download is "standard" and enough for HD video and meetings, and 30 Mbps or more is "enough."

Why does my phone's speed test give a different result every time?

Results change with signal strength, whether you are indoors or outdoors, and congestion at different times of day. Turn off Wi-Fi and test 3 times in the same spot to compare. Testing at different times also shows the effect of congestion.

When is data throttling lifted?

On many plans it lasts until the end of the month and is lifted when the next month starts. Some plans let you buy extra data to return to normal speed. Check your provider's official page for details.

Related guides

• Guidelines
  What Is a Good Internet Speed? How to Read Speed Test Results

  What download, upload, ping and jitter mean on a speed test, with tables of good internet speeds by activity and connection type, and what to do next.

• How to
  How to Run an Accurate Speed Test: Steps and How Many Times

  A checklist for running an accurate internet speed test: why results vary, what to watch for on a phone, and how many times to test.

• Slow connection
  Why Is My Internet So Slow? 10 Causes and How to Narrow Them Down

  Ten common reasons your internet or Wi-Fi is slow, and a step-by-step way to find the cause by testing wired, at different times and on other devices.