Why is my AT&T unlimited data so slow?
Not to mention the type of data packages where one might have an ‘unlimited’ data plan yet browse and stream at incredibly slow speeds. Here are some possible causes why you are still experiencing slow connections on your AT&T phone even if you are subscribed to its unlimited data plan:
Data Deprioritization
Another reason why AT&T Internet unlimited plans seem to throttle is called ‘‘data throttling’’. This is where for some time after you have consumed about 22GB of high-speed data per month, your internet speeds may be slowed down during peak hours. But if the network is congested in your locality, AT&T will give priority to users who have not consumed the discussed 22GB in a month with high speeds.
This threshold was raised from 3GB to 22GB in early 2020 to increase the accessibility of high-speed broadband connections. Thus, although it is undeniably better, members of the faster-unlimited plan can see regular slow-downs in areas where there is much traffic or at peak usage hours.
Network Capacity Issues
In some areas, slow internet speeds on AT&T mobile are just perceived due to a lack of enough network capacity. Additional spectrum purchases are major investments in 5G technology which has been undertaken by AT&T. Nevertheless, the measures are still not at par with Verizon in many locations. Therefore, an “unlimited” plan can be marketed as such, however, the bandwidth for delivering high speeds is another story altogether. Another important observation is that rural regions experience more such problems than urban ones.
Therefore, if there is network congestion, then the speed of operations reduces significantly for many users who are on unlimited data plans. And the network capacity defines at what point congestion starts affecting the connection speeds.
It is associated with an expired phone or SIM card.
Your 4G LTE or 5G capable smartphone has an integrated SIM card that responds to the signals. This is especially true if one has not replaced his SIM card for some time as this may mean that it is out of date and this affects its connectivity which in turn affects the data transfer rate. Attempting to request a free SIM card replacement from AT&T might probably assist with accessing a higher connection speed.
In the same way, your phone is likely to be the source of the issue. If you are using a gadget that does not support 4G LTE or 5G, then the speed and quality of your network will be dramatically compromised. To get the best speeds in your area, it might be necessary to upgrade your phone to one that supports a 5G network. This is especially important in rural areas since ATT discontinued using their old 3G network at the beginning of 2022.
Temporary Location Issues
Did you notice that the internet service speed that was initially unlimited was reduced when you shifted your location? The connection issues may simply be due to a temporary problem in the area with the AT&T network. Sometimes, when people change their homes or move to a different area, or when they go on a trip to some areas of the world where there’s little coverage, data slows to a crawl. Don’t be quick to blame it on your plan, or even that of your website; there could be everyone else complaining as well, as in the case of the Downdetector. The good news is that such types of location-based issues are often addressed fairly fast as AT&T personnel work towards solving them.
What You Can Do If Your Mobile Broadband Is Slow But Unmetered
Here are a few steps to take if you’re struggling with slow speeds on AT&T's unlimited data plan
- Connect with customer support – Use the MyATT app or dial 611 on your phone, and inform of the problem and seek a diagnostic. This puts the technicians on warning and this enables them to focus on problems. Ask them to refresh the connection or give a local tower information.
- Try with increased speeds at various times – Freeways are congested in the evening, and well same thing happens with the internet. Monitor speeds at various times of the day and document their findings to identify any problems that may occur.
- Temporarily upgrade locations – In case you find that a certain area offers slow connection most of the time, you can opt to upgrade your connection in specific areas on an as-needed basis such as outdoors or in a moving car. This way you can understand if the issue is on your end or with the chosen location.
- Customize network – Navigate through the cellular section and check if lte is selected over other outdated networks such as 3g or 4g. Turn it off and set it only to switch between the best bands available.
- Think about the extras – AT&T has extras that come with unlimited data such as free streaming video subscriptions. The Unlimited Elite plan also comes with up to 100GB of high-speed 4G LTE mobile hotspot for each line when outside home zones.
- Use WiFi whenever available – Your home or work WiFi or even random public WiFi has no bearing on the data usage of your mobile plan. This frees up smartphone data for use when streaming is not available or when one strictly needs the data.
Usually, if an AT&T unlimited data plan is underperforming, it can be improved through some changes like geographical location, SIM card, or a new device. However, if speeds continue to suffer even when you try to optimize your options, extra plan bonuses or CDN caching services from the network may also contribute towards remedying the situation. That said, contacting AT&T technical support should always be your first move because it is their job to identify and rectify issues. Without making those concerns with their knowledge, slow unlimited data may just turn into the new standard.
Upgrade to faster, more reliable AT&T Fiber Internet today! Call us at +1 844-905-5002 and get connected with speeds that keep you ahead.