Data & speed
Real-world speed, FUP, and checking your remaining data.
| Channel | How to check |
|---|---|
| Activity | Which speed matters more |
|---|---|
よくある質問
Will the speed be the same as at home?+
Not necessarily, since it depends on the local network and actual conditions in that area at the time, which differ from the network you are used to at home.
Can the remaining data figure ever be inaccurate?+
There can be a small discrepancy between the figure the device counts itself and the figure on the orders page, since the two do not count in exactly the same way — treat the orders page figure as the primary reference.
Why does a speed-test app give a different number every time?+
Network speed changes constantly with the number of users and conditions at that moment, so a speed-test app result only captures a brief snapshot, not a constant value.
Will speed differ between a big city and a rural area?+
Generally a big city tends to have denser network coverage than a rural area, though this is not an absolute rule — it depends on the actual local network operator in that specific area.
If I top up, does throttled speed return to normal?+
It depends on that plan's own terms — some plans return to normal speed immediately after topping up, others may work differently. Check the plan's page or the top-up category for clarity.
Does heavy use early in the trip affect data left later in the trip?+
Yes, it does, since the data volume bought is one shared pool used across the whole plan period, not automatically divided into a daily allowance. Planning roughly ahead of time helps if you want it to last the whole trip.
Is it normal for a speed test to differ between night and day?+
Yes, it is — the number of other users sharing the same network changes by time of day, so a measured speed can genuinely differ without anything being wrong.
How much can turning off photo sync genuinely help save data?+
It can help a good deal for anyone taking photos often during a trip, since each high-quality photo adds to upload data quickly. Turning it off temporarily and syncing all at once over Wi-Fi noticeably cuts mobile data use.
Why does speed drop in crowded places such as an airport or a concert?+
Because a large number of people are sharing the same network in the same spot at once, temporarily lowering the average speed per person — normal behaviour in any densely crowded area.
Common questions in this section
The connection is slower than expected+
The usual causes are: your full-speed allowance is used up (FUP), you are in a congested area such as a station at rush hour, or the phone is on 4G where 5G does not reach. Check usage first, then try moving or selecting a network manually.
What does FUP mean?+
A fair usage policy is a cap on full-speed data per day or per cycle. After the cap, speed is reduced but you stay connected. Almost every 'unlimited' travel plan on the market has one; our plan pages state the threshold and the throttled speed explicitly.
Is an unlimited plan really unlimited?+
Unlimited in total volume, but speed-limited after a daily threshold — for example 2GB at full speed per day, then about 512 kbps until the next reset. If you stream a lot every day, compare the daily thresholds rather than the word 'unlimited'.
What time does a daily plan reset?+
Our daily plans reset at 00:00 destination local time — not your home time and not the hour you activated. If you land late at night, that day's allowance has only a short window before it resets.
How do I check my remaining data?+
If your plan reports usage, the remaining figure appears under My eSIM. It comes from the supplier and typically lags 15–60 minutes. Your phone's own counter measures from its last reset, so the two rarely match exactly.
How can I use less data while travelling?+
Download offline maps and playlists while on Wi-Fi, turn off autoplay video in social apps, disable automatic photo backup, and switch on the system data saver. Those four typically cut usage by more than half.
How much data does photo backup use?+
It is usually the single biggest background consumer. Modern phone photos run 3–6MB each and 4K video around 350MB per minute. Set backups to Wi-Fi only for the duration of your trip.
How much data does a video call use?+
A standard-definition video call typically runs 200–400MB per hour; high-definition work meetings can reach about 1GB per hour. If you have daily meetings, pick a daily plan with a high threshold or an unlimited plan.
Why did my data slow down after a few days?+
The most common cause is that you have used the full-speed allowance. Plans with a fair-use policy reduce speed after the stated threshold. Check your usage first; if you are below it, work through the speed troubleshooting steps, since it may be the network you are attached to.
My data disappeared unusually fast. What should I check?+
Look at per-app usage first. The usual culprits are automatic photo and video backup, app updates, and autoplaying video in social apps. All three can be switched off in settings and usually recover the most data with the least disruption.
How much should I trust a speed test?+
A test describes that spot at that moment only. Results move with the number of users, distance from the mast and the priority roaming users receive, and the test itself consumes your allowance. Run one to confirm the connection works, then judge by real use.
Do apps use data when I am not using them?+
Yes. Many apps sync, download updates and back up photos in the background, which is a common reason an allowance disappears faster than expected. Turn off background refresh, disable automatic photo backup on mobile data, and set app updates to Wi-Fi only.
Why is it slower in the evening than during the day?+
More people share the same network in the evening, so the capacity per user falls. That is how mobile networks behave everywhere; it is not a fault of the plan.
Is a hotspot slower than using the phone directly?+
The network speed is the same, but it is shared between the attached devices, and relaying over Wi-Fi adds a little latency.
Read each answer in full
- The connection is slower than expected
- What does FUP mean?
- Is an unlimited plan really unlimited?
- What time does a daily plan reset?
- How do I check my remaining data?
- How can I use less data while travelling?
- How much data does photo backup use?
- How much data does a video call use?
- Why did my data slow down after a few days?
- My data disappeared unusually fast. What should I check?
- How much should I trust a speed test?
- Do apps use data when I am not using them?
- Why is it slower in the evening than during the day?
- Is a hotspot slower than using the phone directly?