Internet is very slow

Hello ​@Nuflia 

Welcome and thanks for getting in touch. 

We are sorry to hear you are experiencing issues with the data speeds.

Can you please confirm if this is happening in a particular area or all over? 

Also, what are the speeds like when connected using 4G?

Thanks, 

Nat 

I’m getting exactly the same, brand new iPhone 16 Pro Max, have not been able to work all day as normally tether to my laptop, 4G speed Les than 1Mbps for most of the day, it’s insane, and that’s sat literally right in the centre of Cardiff city centre. Worse than my old dial up. 
 

this seems an incredibly common issue that is not being looked at in to and just passed over. Normally 1-2 bars of 4G, just come from Vodafone and absolutely no issues.

cant go on like this.

Hello Natalie W

Thank you for your reply. I have tried both 4G and 5G since 5G is available in the area where I live. I have also launched a complaint and received an email confirming that they will resolve the issue within 7 days. 

Hello  16Sim
I know it's frustrating. I honestly don't think 1 Mbps exists anywhere in the world anymore—it feels like using dial-up through a normal landline back when the internet started in the '90s! I have 5G, and I just tested it now: 2.13 Mbps download speed and 1.63 Mbps upload speed.

I don’t like to speculate, but it seems the speed may be intentionally manipulated and reduced to alleviate congestion on the network. If that’s the case, it’s incredibly disappointing, especially given the technology available today, let us hope they will resolve the issue soon 

​@Nuflia 

I don’t like to speculate, but it seems the speed may be intentionally manipulated and reduced to alleviate congestion on the network. If that’s the case, it’s incredibly disappointing, especially given the technology available today, let us hope they will resolve the issue soon 

Neither do I normally, but I’m kinda leaning the same way as you. Plus one may like to speculate on these:

https://www.idmobile.co.uk/mobile-network-speeds

Sometimes we may need to manage internet traffic across our network to deal with exceptional or temporary congestion. For more information please visit: https://www.idmobile.co.uk/online-traffic-statement.

https://www.idmobile.co.uk/online-traffic-statement

As a network built to serve its customers we have to be prepared to ensure we can provide you with a smooth and reliable experience no matter what. In the event of network or equipment failure, or heavy congestion, we may have to deploy technology to ensure that our network runs smoothly, supporting time critical traffic and minimising disruption, we do not block access to or slow down traffic on our network unless it's legally required, to protect network security or to manage congestion in exceptional circumstances.

And at no fault to any staff on here, they will likely say they don’t do any of this, and never have, and never will. But those links are there and yes I’m suffering too

Hello  Daz_S,  16Sim

As a control system engineer, part of my role involves managing the speed of devices connected to control networks to reduce traffic. However, this is always done within reasonable limits to ensure it does not affect communication between devices or compromise connectivity speed.

I understand that occasional heavy traffic can lead to network congestion, but it is surprising to hear about a 5G network experiencing such a dramatic reduction—from an estimated speed of 597 Mbps to less than 1 Mbps. This represents a speed drop of approximately 99.83%, which seems unimaginable and unprecedented, particularly in the UK.

I sincerely hope that the engineers at ID Mobile are working diligently to resolve this issue. Prolonged performance degradation like this could have a significant impact on the company’s reputation and operations. I trust that they will address and resolve this matter promptly

Hey ​@Nuflia great post!

I get why business’s reduce non critical traffic, like updates, downloading patches/movies, P-2-P etc etc etc (you already know), but when it comes to basic usage, like trying to open a ruddy email, it taking 20 seconds or more (if it does open without the offline warning) really does make one question just what is really going off.

I feel I should include this isn’t just 5G. I’ve got no chance of getting that here anytime soon, but 4G is just as bad. And 3G was turned off, yet Three must keep turning it back on, probably as they ballsed up the switch off or more likely the 4G can’t now cope.

And only posting these so iD can see with proof that 2G is stronger, 3G should be off but is stronger, 2G and 3G auto are showing a better signal and that 4G simply isn’t working as it should. Same location and note the time of this ‘test’. I doubt it was busy then

I rest my case

Hey there ​@16Sim & ​@Nuflia, we're very sorry to hear you're having issues with coverage.

Please take a look at our coverage checker, which will show you what your signal strength should be like in your area, for all of 3G/4G/5G, for both indoors and outdoors.

https://www.idmobile.co.uk/help-and-advice/coverage#coverage-info

Furthermore, please take a look at our network partner Three's network status checker, which will show if there is any maintenance or performance upgrades going on in your area. If the website states that's the case, then it's likely that this is disrupting your coverage, and we hope that this is resolved soon for you.

https://www.three.co.uk/support/network_and_coverage/network_support

Please take a look at both of these. If you believe you should be experiencing better signal than you are, or if the networks status checker on Three's website isn't showing any upgrades or maintenance, then please do let us know or contact us via our live-chat:

https://www.idmobile.co.uk/live-chat

Have you also tried some of the troubleshooting methods below?

https://community.idmobile.co.uk/troubleshooting-177

Please also try restarting your phone, and resetting network settings.

Thanks,

Tyler

Hi,

I had this problem too - I’m a recent transfer to idmobile from BT. I particularly had long waits to open a website, connect an app etc, and then sometimes the speed would be ok and other times dreadful. In our area there’s only 4G (Three network no longer supports the older specs and we’re miles from any 5G) and the network coverage map says ‘good outdoors, fair indoors’.

I found another community post that suggested changing the setting ‘Private DNS’ which I did, and I’m seeing much better response times now.

Worth a try?

cheers
Steve

Hi ​@SteveMGB 

Thanks for the suggestion, I believe this may be the post you’re on about;

• FIX FOR SLOW SPEED

Tom

Hi

I am new to ID  with i phone 16 pro and internet speed is extremely slow maximum of 3mbps.  I have compared with O2 and lebara ( both give me 510mbps and 150 respectively with the same phone). I have checked network coverage of ID/3  and contatde customer services and switched phone off and sim card etc.It hasn’t changed anything and I don’t know how to change DNS. Please help.

Gaurang

Hi ​@SG1,

Welcome to the Community!

I would advise checking the link below to check the coverage and network status in your area.

• How can I check the network coverage in my area? F.A.Q.

Please let us know how you get on and we can PM you if required.

Kash

Network coverage is 4g // 2 or 3 bars. In the town with 5g also speed is not great.

From what you’re describing ​@SG1 it looks like out of O2, Lebara (Vodafone) and iD Mobile (3UK) the best network for your area is currently O2. Whether that stays like this since O2 started phasing out their 3G network at the start of this year is an unknown.

But to compare all three networks have you used the same phone for each test at similar times?

yes

I also tried using different phone ( i phone 13 pro and 11 SE) - the results didn’t change much. O2 and lebara were really fast and ID is extremely slow. O2 does give 4g and 5g whilst lebara and ID  are 4g Lebara is consistent with speed through out. I have also tested as hot spot to understand whether actual speed is correct. I have 1000GB on ID and using <1gb /month- it is not ideal. (I was hoping to use a lot of data when I bought 16 pro). Lebara is a back up sim- so can’t use for routine use as not much data.

I have tested in another area and town as well and results are similar. I honestly don’t know as I have another 20 months to go with ID

So by using the same phone with each SIM this does show the iD signal just isn’t good enough currently. I have to admit my signal is very poor here too. Plus there are other customers saying the same - it was good and then something changed.

(also using different phones with these SIMs shows its not a phone issue - it wasn’t anyway but just confirms this).

If you joined direct with iD and are within 30 days of opening the account you could, if you so choose, cancel the contract (this would mean returning the phone at your cost - used a signed for postage as proof) and pay for the services up until the cancellation time. Or plod along as you are in the hope the signal improves - it should but could take some time until 3UK have modified their old 3G antennae into 4G ones.

Hey there ​@SG1, sorry to hear that.

What is your full postcode please, or some full postcodes you’ve been having issues in?

If you prefer, you can raise this to our live-chat, who can troubleshoot further and raise to our technical team if needed:

https://www.idmobile.co.uk/live-chat

Thanks,

Tyler

I have already raised with live chat/ technical team.  I have done -whatever was suggested. No difference.

Only one thing which I found on forum regarding dns server - however I don’t know how to change that on i phone 16 pro. Otherwise I am stuck for 20 months with ID with poor internet connection 4g or 5g.  Another option would be - if ID allows- to buy back rest of contract and transfer number to O2/Vodafone.

I do not use an iPhone but a quick internet search found this:

You can change DNS settings on iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with the following steps. Go to Settings > Wi-Fi. Tap the ⓘ icon next to the Wi-Fi network that you want to change DNS servers for. Scroll down to find the DNS section and tap Configure DNS.

But please look for yourself before attempting.

8.8.8.8 is just one of many free DNS servers, again please search for yourself.

​@SG1, sorry to hear that.

What is your full postcode please, or some full postcodes you’ve been having issues in?

Thanks,

Tyler

SL3 7GN 

SL2 4HL

SL1 1XW

CB3  

I  don’t think that even with 4g the speed should be as low as this.

thanks 

I've been experiencing slow speed since I moved to ID. Videos buffering, slow web pages, and WhatsApp calls being interrupted. It happens everywhere and is not a postcode related issue. In some town/city centres the internet is unusable. Sadly I have 1 more year left in the contract and so I have to put up with it for a while longer. Don't think I'll come back to ID once I leave