Vodacom Speed Test | How to Easily Test

Reliable mobile speeds are important in South Africa, due to its technological advantage in Africa and the presence of many digitally driven businesses. That’s why Vodacom is a leading network providing fast internet speed. So, knowing how to easily test Vodacom speed is of great necessity for every internet user.

A Vodacom Speed Test measures how fast your internet is. It reports download, upload, and ping values (in Mbps and ms) by connecting your phone to a nearby test server. In essence, a speed test tells you the real-world bandwidth and latency of your Vodacom connection.

As you go through this writing, you will understand how to easily test Vodacom speed, why Vodacom network can be slow a times, and why its best at night.

How fast is Vodacom?

Vodacom’s network is quite fast, especially on 5G. Officially, Vodacom notes that its 5G average download speeds reach around 150–200 Mbps, whereas 4G averages about 23–35 Mbps. In practice, Ookla’s 2024 South Africa Mobile Speedtest Report found Vodacom’s median download speed was about 55.95 Mbps overall (4G+5G).

On pure 5G, Vodacom led with a median of roughly 228 Mbps. These figures mean Vodacom can deliver multi-hundred-Mbps speeds in good conditions.

Of course, actual speed varies by location, time, and device. Vodacom’s network remains one of the fastest in SA, particularly at night when fewer users are online.

Also read: Nigerians Consume Over 1 Million Terabytes of Internet Data for the First Time

What is Ping and Jitter in Vodacom Speed Test?

Two crucial measures for assessing the quality of your internet connection are ping and jitter.

Ping measures the round-trip time (RTT) of a data packet traveling from your computer to a server and back. A quicker connection is indicated by a lower ping. Milliseconds (ms) are used to quantify ping.

Jitter measures the RTT’s fluctuation. Higher jitter means that the RTT is inconsistent, which can lead to issues for real-time applications like online gaming and streaming videos. Milliseconds (ms) are another unit of measurement for jitter.

How to Easily Test Vodacom Speed

Testing your Vodacom internet is simple using online tools or apps. A popular method is to use the Ookla Speedtest service:

Open the Speedtest.net website or the Speedtest app (Android/iOS).
Tap “GO” to start the test. The app will auto-select a nearby Vodacom-compatible server.
Wait a few seconds as it measures download and upload speeds in Mbps.
Review the results shown. You can repeat the test multiple times for consistency.

Other options include the nPerf app, the OpenSignal app, or even Vodacom’s speed test pages (Vodacom Business hosts a speed test for data connections). The key is to disable other data usage (stop background apps) so that only the speed test runs.

Always test at different times and locations to get a full picture. Some online speed-test websites like fast.com or speedtest.co.za can also be used on mobile (though speedtest.co.za is more focused on fixed broadband). In short, launch a recognized speed-test app, select a Vodacom server, and hit “start” – it’s that easy.

Check out How To Transfer Data from MTN to Vodacom in South Africa in 2025

Why is my Vodacom network so slow?

Several factors can cause slow speeds on Vodacom. Network congestion is a big one – during peak hours (evenings), many users share the network, so individual speeds drop. Studies show Vodacom’s 4G speeds are lowest in the evening hours due to heavy traffic.

Conversely, speeds are typically highest late at night or early morning when few are online. Distance to the nearest cell tower and the local signal strength also matter – buildings, foliage, or terrain can weaken reception. If you are far from a 5G mast, you’ll fall back to slower 4G speeds.

Device issues, like an outdated modem or throttling by the phone, can also slow you down. Finally, check your data plan: after exceeding certain limits, some plans may throttle your speed.

In summary, slow performance is often due to heavy network use and location. Vodacom confirms that 5G speeds depend on how many people are using it, meaning congestion will reduce your speed.

Is the Vodacom internet faster at night?

Yes. Empirical data indicates that Vodacom (like other SA carriers) is faster at night. An Opensignal study found Vodacom’s 4G download speeds peak between midnight and 6am, and are lowest in the evening. This happens because network traffic is light at night: fewer people online means less congestion and better signal quality.

Vodacom also shifts some spectrum off at night to save energy, but this doesn’t hurt speeds since few devices are active. The key point is that with less competition for bandwidth, users often see much higher speeds overnight.

So if your connection feels sluggish by day, you’ll likely notice a boost after midnight when the airwaves clear.

How can I speed up my Vodacom network?

If your internet speeds are slow, you might attempt the following solutions:

Perform a speed test from various devices and Locations. This will assist you in identifying the problem’s origin.
Restart your router and modem. This frequently resolves minor internet issues.
Update your software and gadgets. Verify that the software and devices you use are current.
Modify your network configuration. Try modifying your router’s settings or your Wi-Fi channel.
Speak with your ISP. Get in touch with your ISP if you have tried everything above and your internet speeds are still slow. They might be able to assist you in locating and resolving the issue.

FAQs

How do I check my WIFI speed on Vodacom?

Open a browser and type https://speed.is/za/vodacom/. Select a Host ISP or let it choose the optimal ISP automatically. Press the ‘GO’ button to start the Internet Speed Test.

Is 10 Mbps fast?

A 10 Mbps internet connection is adequate for basic online activities but may be considered slow for more demanding tasks.

Is 50 Mbps fast?

Yes, 50 Mbps is generally considered a good and reasonably fast internet speed for most typical online activities.

Conclusion

Testing your Vodacom speed is straightforward: use any reputable speed-test tool and compare the results to expected values. In South Africa, Vodacom routinely achieves tens or even hundreds of Mbps, especially on 5G.

For the best accuracy, test multiple times (morning vs. evening, 4G vs. 5G) and ensure your device is working properly.

Remember that peak-time congestion and signal strength greatly impact speed. By testing regularly, you can verify Vodacom’s performance and troubleshoot if speeds drop unexpectedly. With its advanced network, Vodacom should deliver very fast internet in most cases – just be aware of the natural variations over time.