Also known as data or bandwidth throttling, learn what ISP throttling is & how to stop your Internet provider from throttling your speeds with Glo Fiber.
Whether you’re streaming, surfing, or tackling a work project from home, nothing is more frustrating than sluggish internet speeds. But slow speeds aren’t always due to network congestion – in some cases, you could be a victim of bandwidth throttling.
If you think your ISP is throttling your internet connection, good news: there are effective ways to combat it. Let’s explore what bandwidth throttling is and how to avoid bandwidth throttling through tests, data tracking, and more.
Bandwidth throttling is a practice where your Internet Service Provider (ISP) intentionally slows down your internet speed. This often occurs during periods of high traffic or when you exceed a certain amount of data usage (e.g., you’re trying to stream in high definition on Friday night). ISPs might throttle specific activities like streaming or gaming, leaving you with slow connections just when you need them most.
Throttling is typically justified by ISPs as a way to manage network congestion or enforce data usage agreements. However, the practice often feels arbitrary and unfair to users, especially when you’re paying for high-speed internet.
Not all ISPs engage in throttling, but it’s a common practice among major providers. Some ISPs are transparent about their policies, explicitly stating when throttling might occur. Others, however, could choose to throttle their users without clear disclosure, leaving those customers unaware of why their internet is underperforming.
Bandwidth throttling and data capping are fairly similar, but they’re distinct practices.
Data capping limits the total amount of data you can use within a billing cycle, and exceeding this limit can result in throttling or additional charges. Put another way, data throttling is a common consequence of going over a data cap (though it’s not the only one).
That’s not all that’s different, though. Some ISPs may impose bandwidth throttling even if you don’t hit your data cap, such as when you’re engaging in a high-data activity like streaming video on a busy night.
If your internet seems unusually slow, running an internet throttling test can help you determine if your ISP is the culprit. Tools like fast.com or Speedtest by Ookla allow you to measure your connection speed and see if you’re really getting the speeds you pay for.
For the best results, run a few internet throttling tests at different times of the day to check for patterns. If your connection slows significantly during peak hours or while streaming, it could indicate throttling.
Additionally, you can test your internet speed with and without a VPN (virtual private network). A noticeable improvement when using a VPN may confirm throttling because VPNs can mask your online activity from your ISP.
ISP throttling may be frustrating to deal with, but it’s not unavoidable. In fact, there are several ways to avoid bandwidth throttling once you perform an internet throttling test.
One of the most effective ways to avoid throttling is to switch to an ISP with better policies. If an ISP doesn’t practice throttling, you’ll never need to worry about it – even if you go over a data cap!
Research providers in your area to find one that offers truly unlimited data or has a reputation for minimal throttling. Smaller, regional ISPs often provide more consumer-friendly practices compared to larger corporations. Before switching, be sure to read reviews and consult the provider’s terms of service to ensure they meet your needs.
Keeping track of your data usage can help you stay within your ISP’s limits and avoid triggering throttling. Most ISPs provide online tools or apps where you can monitor your usage in real-time. Alternatively, third-party apps can track data across devices connected to your network.
By understanding your consumption habits, you can identify activities that use the most data and adjust accordingly. For example, if you’ve used most of your month’s data and there are a few days left in the current cycle, you could save a big download for the first of the new month instead of queuing it up right away.
An unsecured WiFi network can lead to unauthorized users “piggybacking” on your connection, consuming bandwidth, and potentially triggering throttling. The last thing you need is someone benefiting from the fast internet you pay for.
Ensure your WiFi network is protected with a strong password and WPA3 encryption if available. It’s also a good idea to regularly update your router firmware to safeguard against vulnerabilities that could expose your network.
There’s one last way to avoid bandwidth throttling: using a VPN. This is one of the best defenses against ISP throttling since a VPN encrypts your internet traffic, making it difficult for your ISP to monitor your online activities and selectively throttle certain services.
Opt for a reputable VPN service with strong encryption and fast servers to maintain a smooth browsing experience. Just keep in mind that while a VPN can prevent throttling based on specific activities, it won’t bypass data caps if your ISP enforces them.
Ultimately, the only long-term way to avoid ISP throttling is to choose an ISP that doesn’t use this practice in the first place. That’s where Glo Fiber can help.
We never throttle the speeds of our users – the fast speeds and consistent connectivity of our fiber internet is always available for streaming, gaming, and any other activity you have in mind. If you’re tired of dealing with internet throttling, check out our plans today and see about switching!