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.
