In an increasingly online world, a slow internet connection is a source of increasing frustration. Maybe you had to drop out of a Zoom call or tried to stream a show with friends but were constantly interrupted. While several factors can cause slow speeds, it is entirely possible that your ISP is slowing down your Internet connection on purpose.
Before we get into internet throttling, let’s first take a moment to go through the checklist to revive a slow internet connection. Try restarting your modem and router or move your router to a more central location.
There may also be some long-term solutions to your problems. If you have an outdated routerit might be time for an upgrade. A mesh network (which also has to be in the right place) or Wi-Fi extenders can provide reliable speeds and better coverage throughout your home. If you know your equipment is fine and you have a lot of heavy internet use in your home, the best solution may be to upgrade to a faster speed level.
But if you have already gone through the list of solutions and nothing works, the problem may be with you internet provider deliberately does: bandwidth throttling.
The Federal Communications Commission will vote in 2024 to restore net neutrality rules and regulate broadband as a utility, effectively banning throttling. But ISPs can get around this legal ruling quite easily. For example, throttling is still technically allowed if your internet plan has a data limit or if your ISP’s network is congested. In addition, if your ISP provides advance notice that your Internet speed will be reduced, it is legal to do so.
A proven way to bypass internet throttling is to use a virtual private network. Providers must have your IP address to slow down your internet, and a good VPN protects that identity, although this comes with some limitations and disadvantages, which we’ll discuss below.
Read on to find out how to identify throttling and how to easily stop it.
Read more: Decoding the FCC’s ‘broadband food labels’: What you need to know
Troubleshoot your slow internet connection
So your Wi-Fi is slow and you think your service provider is throttling your connection.
Before you jump to that conclusion, you should first go through the usual troubleshooting list we discussed above: Reboot your router, make sure the router is centrally located in your home, move the antennas, double-check your network security, etc. If your internet slowness is caused by your router being too weak to reach every room in your house, you can spend as little as $15 on a Wi-Fi extender.
If you’ve gone through the laundry list and your WiFi is still chugging slowly, move on to the next step.
Compare your speed with the VPN
Then test your internet speed again with a service such as Fast.com or Speedtest.net.
Compare the results with the same test when your VPN is active.
Using a VPN should significantly reduce your speed, so the speed tests should show a discrepancy, with the active VPN speed being significantly slower than the VPN inactive speed.
But a VPN also hides the IP address with which providers identify you, so you can do a quick test with the VPN faster Then without the VPN this could mean that your ISP is targeting your IP address for throttling.
Okay, this is the hardest part. Even if you find out that your provider is throttling your internet, there may not be much you can do. Many people in the US live in regions with ISP monopolies or duopolies, which makes finding a better provider difficult. But here are a few hopefully helpful suggestions:
- If you Doing If you have options, consider switching to a better provider in your area. Not only will you potentially stop the speed limit, but you can also get faster speeds and a better deal. Check out our top picks for ISPs and fast ISPs in 2024.
- Use your VPN to maintain more consistent speeds. A VPN can’t solve a bad connection or other reasons behind your slow service, but it can reduce throttling by unscrupulous ISPs.
- Call your provider and threaten to switch to another provider if they do not stop throttling your internet. This may seem old-fashioned and does not guarantee lasting results, but some providers have responded positively to such tactics.
Frequently asked questions about bandwidth throttling
What is bandwidth throttling? Is it legal?
If you notice that the buffer time is long when you try to stream your favorite television show, you may be experiencing bandwidth throttling.
This happens when your ISP deliberately slows down your internet speed by monitoring your bandwidth.
The FCC voted to move forward with net neutrality rules in 2024, which regulates ISPs and bans throttling, but with a loophole: While it is technically illegal for your ISP to limit your speeds, it is legal if your ISP clearly indicates that they may slow down your connection during periods of heavy traffic or if you have a data limit.
Why do ISPs limit bandwidth?
There is no exact answer to why ISPs limit some people’s connections and not others.
If a network is congested and you’re using a lot of internet bandwidth, your provider may slow down your service to encourage you to pay for more data.
Or if you’re on a data cap and notice a slow connection, your ISP may be limiting your service when the limit is almost reached.
How can I check if my ISP is throttling my bandwidth?
If you checked your internet speed over an Ethernet connection and your results didn’t improve, you might want to check if your provider is to blame.
A simple connection speed test, such as the one through M-Lab, can reveal whether your ISP is delivering consistent performance regardless of the content you use.
How do I prevent my ISP from throttling my bandwidth?
A VPN, or virtual private network, is a good solution to help combat internet throttling.
Because VPNs can hide your identity, your provider can’t use your IP address to slow down your connection, allowing you to maintain more consistent speeds.
In addition to using a VPN, consider switching to a new provider for faster speeds and possibly a better deal.
