Google Play download speeds via 4G are awful

[ChanceNC]

I hope like heck somebody else is having the same problem.

For at least a week and maybe closer to two, I have been experiencing terrible indicated download speeds of apps from the Play Store when downloading via 4G. For example, downloading the Facebook app, an 18 MB file, took almost five minutes earlier today. Additionally, Google Play Music All Access is unable to stream more than 10-15 seconds of music before it has to stop and buffer. It's not the 4G signal--repeated speed tests indicate download and upload speeds in excess of 10 Mbps, often over 20 Mbps. When I connect to my home Wi-Fi network, things work normally. Over 4G, it's terrible.

Why in the world would there be a problem just over 4G? I would think if there was a problem with Google's servers, I'd experience crummy download speeds/streaming issues regardless of the connection to the internet.

My device is a Galaxy Nexus, 4.2.2, on Verizon Wireless, location is North Carolina, USA.

Any help is appreciated.

 

[ChanceNC]

And this morning, the problem does not seem to be present. Good speeds over wifi and blazing speeds over 4G. Kind of frustrating...very frustrating, actually. Will continue to monitor to see of there is any pattern to when the 4G-only slowdowns occur.

 

[ChanceNC]

Back again to crummy performance, since about noon eastern time.

Downloads from the Play Store just crawwwwwwwwwl over 4G, fine over wifi. Streaming of music using the Google Play Music app results in frequent stops for buffering, fine over wifi.

I'm watching a video via Netflix now via 4G and it's playing beautifully. Better, actually, than it plays when using my home wifi network.

Speed tests using both the Speedtest app and testmy.net peg the needle, 20 Mbps+ every time.

Either Google is throttling or Verizon is, but I wonder how either (or both) are able to do it. Google claims (I talked to them today...friendly but kind of clueless) they are unable to differentiate traffic, so if that's true, it's not them. I guess I'll have to contact Verizon next.

(I really hope somebody having a similar problem will read this and share)

 

[ZachA]

I get the same thing when I download apps over 4G LTE It might be a specific device problem since I have the same phone as you

 

[ChanceNC]

I get the same thing when I download apps over 4G LTE It might be a specific device problem since I have the same phone as you

Thanks for the response. I don't think it's the device. I've had my secondhand Nexus for a couple of months now and only in the last 1-2 weeks has this been an issue. I wonder if it isn't related to the avalanche of new stuff Google is rolling out and users are subsequently jumping on to download, use, etc. Otherwise the phone is *excellent*.

I'm kind of in a snit right now and have been trying to be hands off with both the Play Store and Play Music apps. It did "force" me to rediscover Plex, which I haven't tried using since I picked up my Nexus. It actually works very well, streaming high-quality audio from my computer's iTunes library at home with nary a hiccup. Kind of sad that a four-year-old MacBook with middling upload bandwidth (1 Mbps) via my internet provider can smoke Google's servers and provide a superior audio experience to my device. I may forget about the whole cloud music locker concept altogether if Plex keeps up the good performance.

 

[ChanceNC]

Off and on for the last month, I've been having similar issues, but over wifi. Some apps/updates download super-fast, and others basically crawl. Cancelling the download and restarting it sometimes has fixed it. I figured my ISP was having issue connecting to whatever servers are serving up those apps so kindof just dismissed it. Perhaps there's some bandwidth problem somewhere.

It makes me question whether or not Google's connections are really source-agnostic like the rep told me. Somewhere, some prioritization is going on. But as I mentioned in another reply, I'm hopeful that all this is related to Google being overwhelmed in the run-up to and implementation of all the new stuff they announced at I/O last week.

 

[Mooncatt]

I just noticed this after it took 7 min top download a 5.5 MB app. Otherwise speeds are done on other sites. I'm on a Droid Bionic, and hopefully it clears up soon.

 

[dchawk81]

I've been streaming Google Play music on Sprint 3G without issue, set on highest quality within the app.

Sometimes I do have issues with app downloads though.

I know it's not 4G but it eliminates another variable, like your WiFi does.