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T-Mobile Internet Network Speeds

Learn about factors that may impact your network speeds and tips on how to improve your signal.

Tips to make your T-Mobile Internet faster

  • Turn off equipment from other providers

    Before you turn on your gateway and set up your network, turn off equipment from previous providers to avoid interference. 

  • Try multiple gateway locations

    Use the interactive gateway placement assistant in the T Life app to find the best location and signal for your gateway.

  • Place gateway away from other devices

    Some devices like Bluetooth, cordless phones, fluorescent lights, microwave ovens, baby monitors, or routers may cause interference. Keep the gateway away from these devices.

Distance from the gateway

Wi-Fi signal ranges vary depending on interference and obstructions, so devices further away from the gateway will have a weaker Wi-Fi connection. For example:

  • Devices 15 feet from the gateway are great for gaming, HD/4K streaming, etc.
  • Devices 20-25 feet away may have reduced speed for services such as gaming, video conferencing, etc.
  • Devices 35 feet away may have significantly reduced speeds for services that HD streaming.

 

Tips to improve your network

  • If there is a strong signal on a gateway, try moving it to a central location to increase Wi-Fi coverage within the home.
  • If the gateway needs to be in a specific location to get a strong signal, adding a Mesh Access Point or Wi-Fi extender may help.

Connected devices & services

If multiple devices are using the network at the same time, it will require more data, and you may notice fluctuations in network speeds.

 

Tips to improve your network

  • Move your gateway to a location with stronger signal. 
  • Ensure you have a strong Wi-Fi connection.
  • Limit usage on unnecessary devices. 

Interferences

Physical barriers such as walls and floors or devices that broadcast different wireless frequencies can cause Wi-Fi signal interference. Building materials such as brick or metal may cause more interference than thinner materials like drywall.

 

Tips to improve your network

  • Devices closer to the gateway with a clear line of site will have greater speeds.
  • If the signal is being blocked by specific devices, try moving the gateway to a different place or add a Mesh Access Point or Wi-Fi extender.

Connection types

  • LAN/Ethernet connection typically provides the fastest speeds
  • 2.4 GHz is used by older wireless standards and technologies (802.11 b/g/n) and has the furthest reach, but at the lowest speeds.
  • 5 GHz is available to devices using the latest wireless standards such as 802.11ac, and some older standards (802.11 a/n). The 5 GHz frequency band provides wireless signals with a shorter reach than 2.4GHz, but at the highest speeds.

 

Tips to improve your network

  • Connect using ethernet when possible.
  • The T-Mobile 5G Gateway default Wi-Fi setting (band steering) detects and automatically steers devices to either 2.4 or 5 GHz frequency.
  • If a device is experiencing issues connecting or staying connected, use the T Life app to create two separate Wi-Fi networks for 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, then test the device on each network.

Need help?

Check out these additional resources to help improve your network or to help fix some common issues.

Troubleshooting Guides Network Improvement Tips

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