--- description: Does your cell phone’s data speed seem slower than it used to despite your carrier's claim that its 4G is getting faster? According to wireless network analysis firm OpenSignal, it's not your imagination. title: Report: 4G LTE Speeds in the U.S. Sharply Declined Last Year image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltde093bcdab65f2d0/6988d9b9bc6cfc69913e2a3c/time-logo.jpg?branch=production --- * [Business](/section/business/) ## Business Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close * [Tech](/tag/time-section-tech/) ## Tech Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close # Report: 4G LTE Speeds in the U.S. Sharply Declined Last Year by [Techlicious](/author/techlicious/) ## Techlicious Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Feb 26, 2014 10:45 AM CUT by [Techlicious](/author/techlicious/) ## Techlicious Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Feb 26, 2014 10:45 AM CUT Does your cell phone’s data speed seem slower than it used to despite your carrier’s claim that its [4G is getting faster](http://www.techlicious.com/blog/verizon-doubles-4G-lte-speeds-to-80mbps-in-major-cities/ "undefined")? According to wireless network analysis firm [OpenSignal](http://opensignal.com/ "undefined"), it’s not your imagination: U.S. wireless speeds have declined precipitously over the past year. Mobile data speeds in the U.S. for the second half of 2013 were found to average 6.5Mbps across all carriers. That’s an over 32% decline from the year prior, when 4G LTE speeds averaged 9.6Mbps. As speeds in the U.S. decline, data transfer rates are actually improving elsewhere in the world. Of the 16 countries analyzed by the OpenSignal report, only one – the Phillippines – reported an average speed slower than the United States. Both Canada and Mexico boast speeds triple and double that of the U.S., respectively. The report also compared individual U.S. carriers’ LTE performance against each other and global carriers. Both [AT&T](http://www.techlicious.com/blog/att-mobile-share-value-plan-no-contract/%E2%80%8E "undefined") and [Verizon](http://www.techlicious.com/blog/are-verizons-new-more-everything-plans-worth-it/ "undefined") were classified as “good coverage and slow,” while [T-Mobile](http://www.techlicious.com/blog/t-mobile-announces-no-contract-smartphones-high-speed-networks/ "undefined"), Boost Mobile, Virgin Mobile and [Sprint](http://www.techlicious.com/blog/sprint-guaranteeing-unlimited-data-for-life/ "undefined") were deemed “poor coverage and slow.” [Pre-paid value carrier MetroPCS](http://www.techlicious.com/guide/choosing-between-a-prepaid-and-contract-cell-phone-plan/ "undefined") had the best LTE uptime percentage, but its speeds trailed all other providers. OpenSignal For the full OpenSignal Report, [visit the company’s website](http://opensignal.com/reports/state-of-lte-q1-2014/ "undefined"). For more about which carrier has the best coverage in your area, you can download the free OpenSignal app ([iOS](https://itunes.apple.com/app/opensignal/id598298030 "undefined"); [Android](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.staircase3.opensignal&referrer=utm%5Fsource=OSWebsiteMain&utm%5Fmedium=OSWebsiteMain&utm%5Fcampaign=OSWebsiteMain "undefined")) or the [new, competing Glove app](http://www.techlicious.com/blog/glove-app-determines-which-wireless-carrier-is-best-for-you/ "undefined"). _This article was written by Fox Van Allen and_ [_originally appeared on Techlicious_](http://www.techlicious.com/blog/opensignal-report-4g-lte-speed-slower/ "undefined")_._ **More from Techlicious:** * [New Gmail ‘Unsubscribe’ Option Cuts Down Email Clutter](http://www.techlicious.com/blog/new-gmail-unsubscribe-option-cuts-down-email-clutter/ "undefined") * [The Future of Toys Is Augmented Reality](http://www.techlicious.com/blog/the-future-of-toys-is-augmented-reality/ "undefined") * [Samsung Galaxy S5, Galaxy Gear Fit Revealed](http://www.techlicious.com/blog/samsung-galaxy-s5-specs-release-date/ "undefined") * [Use Your HTC Phone to Cure Cancer](http://www.techlicious.com/blog/use-your-htc-phone-to-cure-cancer/ "undefined") * [Which Carrier Has the Cheapest Cell Phone Plan](http://www.techlicious.com/blog/which-carrier-has-the-cheapest-cell-phone-plan/ "undefined") ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/9908/report-4g-lte-speeds-in-the-u-s-sharply-declined-last-year/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/9908/report-4g-lte-speeds-in-the-u-s-sharply-declined-last-year/"},"headline":"Report: 4G LTE Speeds in the U.S. Sharply Declined Last Year","datePublished":"2014-02-26T10:45:05.000Z","dateModified":"2026-05-11T04:45:57.910Z","description":"Does your cell phone’s data speed seem slower than it used to despite your carrier's claim that its 4G is getting faster? 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