A mobile device, such as a smartphone or a laptop, connects to a network based on the available bandwidth (throughput) of the network rather than on signal strength. The device may send a request containing the device's location to a service provider who has data on networks in the device's location and specifically on bandwidth or pipe performance. This data is used to determine which network in the area would be best to connect to. The network may be a network that does not necessarily have the highest signal strength (often shown as bars on a handset device). The service provider can cause the device to transition to the network having the higher bandwidth. It can also direct the user so that blackout areas are avoided using the network data maintained by the provider. The provider uses testers to obtain current bandwidth data of networks.