There could be several reasons why your cell phone might be getting faster speeds than your 4G router:
1. Different Hardware: Cell phones often have newer or more advanced antennas and hardware than some 4G routers, especially if the router is older.
2. Network Prioritization: Some mobile carriers prioritize traffic to smartphones over data-only devices like 4G routers, especially during peak times or in congested areas.
3. Location and Positioning: Your cell phone might be placed in a location with a better signal compared to your 4G router. Even a difference in height or being closer to a window can impact signal strength.
4. Router Configuration: There might be settings in your 4G router that are limiting the speed, such as QoS (Quality of Service) settings.
5. Network Bands: Different devices might be using different frequency bands. Some bands might be more congested than others, or some might have a stronger signal in your location. Your phone might be able to automatically switch to a faster band, while your router might be locked to a specific band.
6. Multiple Connections: If multiple devices are connected to the 4G router, they all share the available bandwidth. This can slow down the internet speed for each device.
7. Background Activities: Your 4G router may have connected devices that are consuming bandwidth in the background, such as software updates, cloud backups, or other auto-sync activities.
8. Carrier Throttling: Depending on your data plan, your carrier might throttle or limit the speeds of certain types of devices after a certain data usage threshold has been reached.
9. Firmware/Software Updates: Ensure your 4G router’s firmware is up to date. Outdated firmware can sometimes lead to performance issues.
10. SIM Card: If you’re using a SIM card from a data-only plan in your 4G router, it might have different speed provisions compared to a regular cell phone SIM card.
11. VPN or Security Software: If your router has a VPN or any security software activated, it can reduce the speed of your internet connection.
To determine the exact cause, you might need to conduct tests on both devices in different conditions and settings. If you believe the speed difference is unusual, reaching out to your service provider might also shed some light on the issue.