Are my speeds being capped or reduced for some reason?

[sevensamurai22]

In recent months, I've noticed that my EE speeds are being capped or inexplicably reduced. I suspected this was the case because I've never gotten a speed test to go over 150-200 Mbps for months. It's hardly unusable, but still somewhat annoying, considering I'm on an unlimited, uncapped plan.

Yesterday, I activated a Lyca SIM card on my phone which now also uses EE's network.  It is clear from the results that my EE SIM card is reduced. The below tests were carried out using eSIM on a Galaxy S23 Ultra from the exact same location (Belfast) and time using Speedtest.net. I also used Fast.com and results were very similar:

EE - 140Mbps / 60.2 Mbps
Lyca - 629 Mbps / 60 Mbps

EE - 199 Mbps / 60.2 Mbps
Lyca - 672 Mbps / 52.8 Mbps

I thought Lyca was supposed to be inferior considering it doesn't have all of EE's available bands, but speeds are considerably faster when compared to my unlimited, uncapped EE SIM. I contacted EE Support and they told me that there was nothing they can do because my speeds are above average. So why can I get more than 3 times the speed with a cheap MVNO at the exact same location? It is not a single mast. It has been like this for many months from various locations throughout NI where I could comfortably get well above 200 Mbps on both 4G and 5G. A friend of mine has the exact same issue and I've just asked someone else to test.

I appreciate this hardly makes it unusable but still, an explanation would be nice. Thank you!

[Zgabercea]

That's people migrating to an alternative with the same pipe. Aka small providers using the same antenna.

[Zgabercea]

NO! Don't get complicated! Speed is speed, doesn't matter. SIM is just the gate to heaven, it does not matter the name of the provider. Just ask for a 007 James Bond SIM and you will feel the difference. It is just your phone number against the server.

Don't get complicated, in Spain you can have 500 mbs. It is just business, and how much traffic is in that area... 

In my case, I am using a "posh" router with unlimited whatever. Started at 150 Mbps, now 40 Mbps. Crying for choice. Just EE.

[Zgabercea]

It is a fake 5G - speeds are in 4G spectrum most of the time. It is a mask. 4G means 150 - 200 in ideal conditions. If you receive 5G... at those speeds, is fake. Marketing.

[Zgabercea]

Multiple tests in 2025, including "Meteor", show 5G speed on "Home Broadband Router" max 40 mps. At the start of contract it reached a max of 180 Mbps.

Your post is from 2023.

Two years later for you and 30 days for me. Back to dial-up in the next 30.

[Linzi_H]

Hi @Zgabercea 

Data speeds can vary depending on a few factors, including coverage within the area you are. 

Have you checked the coverage and signal strength for where you are using the Coverage Checker?
You can also use this to report a problem if needed, and our team will review this in further detail for you. 

Linzi 

[Rky]

I’m getting :

5G EE Mobile - 300 to 600mbps

5G Three Mobile - 900 to 1200mbps

and this is in London.