When you’re travelling, your data speed can vary depending on a few things — like your location, the local network, your device, and the eSIM plan you purchased.
Most of the time, if your eSIM supports 5G, you can expect fast 4G or 5G speeds in cities and other well-covered areas. Streaming, maps, browsing, and messaging should all feel smooth.
In more remote or rural areas, speeds may drop to 4G or sometimes 3G, depending on local infrastructure and roaming agreements.
That’s completely normal and based on the local network, not your eSIM.
What affects data speed?
Here are the main factors that can influence your connection:
Network coverage
Not every region has the same mobile infrastructure. Cities usually have stronger and faster networks than rural or mountainous areas.
In some places, 5G may not be available for roaming yet, even if your phone supports it. Switching to 4G can sometimes provide a more stable connection.
Check your phone’s Network Mode settings to make sure 4G or LTE is enabled.
The exact steps may vary by device, but you’ll usually find this under Mobile Network or Mobile Data settings. If the option is available, select LTE or 4G as the preferred network mode.
Local network congestion
If lots of people are using the same tower — for example, at airports, events, or busy tourist areas — speeds can temporarily slow down.
Device compatibility
Your phone needs to support the local frequency bands used in your destination. Older phones may not connect to 5G even if the network supports it.
Signal strength
Buildings, terrain, weather, and even being indoors can affect signal quality.
If your speeds feel slower than expected, try these quick steps:
- Restart your phone
- Turn Airplane Mode On
Wait 10 to 20 seconds
- Turn it Off again
- Manually switch between 5G and 4G if needed
This helps your device reconnect to the strongest available network.
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