- A
The tablet's Wi-Fi is interfering with the LTE signal.
Why wrong: Wi-Fi and LTE operate on different frequencies and bands; interference is unlikely to cause slow speeds on one tablet.
- B
The tablet's SIM card is not fully inserted.
Why wrong: A partially inserted SIM would likely cause no service or intermittent connection, not consistently slow speeds.
- C
The tablet is using the wrong APN configuration.
An incorrect APN can still allow data but may route through a slower gateway or have restrictions, resulting in poor performance.
- D
The tablet's battery saver mode is enabled.
Why wrong: Battery saver can reduce performance, but it typically affects CPU and background data, not LTE radio speed directly.
Question 202 of 1,020
Tablet Slow Data Speeds on LTE Network: Wrong APN Configuration
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of mobile device network connectivity. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A company deploys several tablets for field technicians that need to connect to a private LTE network via a SIM card. One tablet connects to the network but has very slow data speeds. Other tablets in the same area work fine. What is the most likely cause?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"most likely"Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Quick Answer
The answer is an incorrect APN configuration. The Access Point Name (APN) defines the gateway between the tablet’s LTE network connection and the carrier’s data infrastructure, including routing for private networks. When the APN is wrong, the device can still register on the network and show a signal, but data traffic may be misrouted through a slower public gateway or throttled by the carrier, explaining why one tablet has slow data speeds while others nearby work fine. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of mobile device connectivity troubleshooting, often appearing as a trap where you might suspect signal interference or a defective SIM. Remember that if connectivity exists but performance is degraded, APN settings are the first thing to verify. A helpful memory tip: APN stands for “Access Point Name,” so think of it as the tablet’s “address” on the network—wrong address, slow delivery.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The tablet is using the wrong APN configuration.
The most likely cause is an incorrect APN configuration. The APN (Access Point Name) defines the gateway between the LTE network and the internet, including required authentication and IP settings. If the APN is wrong, the tablet may still attach to the LTE network but will experience severely degraded data throughput because the packet data protocol (PDP) context cannot establish a proper data session.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
The tablet's Wi-Fi is interfering with the LTE signal.
Why it's wrong here
Wi-Fi and LTE operate on different frequencies and bands; interference is unlikely to cause slow speeds on one tablet.
- ✗
The tablet's SIM card is not fully inserted.
Why it's wrong here
A partially inserted SIM would likely cause no service or intermittent connection, not consistently slow speeds.
- ✓
The tablet is using the wrong APN configuration.
Why this is correct
An incorrect APN can still allow data but may route through a slower gateway or have restrictions, resulting in poor performance.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
The tablet's battery saver mode is enabled.
Why it's wrong here
Battery saver can reduce performance, but it typically affects CPU and background data, not LTE radio speed directly.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The 220-1201 exam often tests the misconception that a SIM card insertion issue or battery saver mode can cause slow data speeds, but the key differentiator is that the tablet is connected to the network—pointing to a configuration error like the APN rather than a hardware or power-saving issue.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The APN is a string (e.g., 'ims', 'internet', or a carrier-specific value) that the device sends during the LTE Attach procedure to request a specific PDN connection. If the APN does not match the carrier's allowed values, the MME may reject the request or assign a default APN with limited QoS, resulting in low data rates. In enterprise deployments, tablets often require a dedicated APN for VPN or private network access, and misconfiguration is a common root cause.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the 220-1201 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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Mobile Device Network Connectivity — study guide chapter
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Mobile Device Network Connectivity practice questions
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1201 question test?
Mobile Device Network Connectivity — This question tests Mobile Device Network Connectivity — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The tablet is using the wrong APN configuration. — The most likely cause is an incorrect APN configuration. The APN (Access Point Name) defines the gateway between the LTE network and the internet, including required authentication and IP settings. If the APN is wrong, the tablet may still attach to the LTE network but will experience severely degraded data throughput because the packet data protocol (PDP) context cannot establish a proper data session.
What should I do if I get this 220-1201 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
This 220-1201 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 220-1201 exam.
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