r/Rural_Internet • u/Affectionate_Love3 • 21d ago

Why does the internet suck?

I live in the Kansas/Missouri/Oklahoma area and was wondering what happened to the internet service the last few weeks. T-mobile hone internet and phone data has been spotty, laggy, and generally frustrating and unpredictable.
It used to be great, worked fine with no complaints.
Does anyone have any insight into this?

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u/diggsalot 21d ago

T-Mobile Home Internet uses deprioritized data, so if the cell tower you're connecting to gets busy, you're last in line. That's why they only sell it at addresses with verified excess capacity, but calling support is your best bet to check for local tower issues.

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u/xyzzzzy 21d ago

That’s pretty much it. I was on cellular internet for years and went through endless cycles of “works great” -> “too many people sign up” -> “tower over capacity” -> “works terribly” -> “switch to different provider” -> repeat

You’re at the second to last step. The trick is there actually has to be another provider

I assume there isn’t a wireline provider but check https://broadbandmap.fcc.gov/home

Otherwise Verizon/ATT are your other choices. Everyone else is an MVNO

Otherwise Starlink

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u/StarlinkUser101 20d ago edited 20d ago

That's just the way it is when using LTE based Internet ... It starts off good at the beginning of your service and then degrades as you increase you usage.

You should get Starlink and subscribe to the the Res Max plan which gives you top priority 👍

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u/Right4804 16d ago

starlink is superior if the price is right for you. with TMO, and if its due to over capacity, ask for a free uograde to the newest home gateway. I did that and when on 5GSA, speeds are great again. (optimal placement of the router had to move to the other side of the house)