You are Here
News

Bandwidth Blues: Spotting Internet Throttling and How You Can Fix It – CNET

You might not think to blame your internet provider when you’re staring at a buffering wheel. After all, there are several suspects. It could be an outdated router. Maybe you have a less-than-ideal router location. You could potentially solve slow speeds with an easy fix, like upgrading to a mesh network (which also has to be set up in the right spot) or simply restarting your modem and router.

But what if you’ve already attempted these tried-and-true methods, and your internet speeds are still subpar? In that case, the issue might be something your internet service provider is intentionally doing: bandwidth throttling.

You read that right. Your ISP could be making your Wi-Fi slower on purpose. The Federal Communications Commission voted in 2023 to restore net neutrality rules that ban throttling, but the practice is still legal for now. Moreover, due to the 2019 Supreme Court decision in which the court declined to hear an appeal on net neutrality, ISPs can still legally stifle your internet in the US. This means they can limit your broadband if you stream more TV than they want, or they can serve slower connections to websites owned by their competitors.

One solution to slow Wi-Fi (if it’s caused by internet throttling) is a virtual private network. Basically, providers need to see your IP address to slow down your internet, and a good VPN will shield that identity, though this comes with some limitations and downsides, which we’ll discuss below. We’ll walk you through how to tell if throttling is to blame and, if so, what to do about fixing your crummy Wi-Fi.

Read more: My Home Internet Journey: What I Learned From Testing Wi-Fi and Ethernet Connections

So your Wi-Fi is slow, and you think your service provider is throttling your connection. Before jumping to that conclusion, it’s important to first run through the usual troubleshooting list: Check that your router is centrally located in your home, reposition its antennas, double-check your network security, etc. If your laggy internet is due to your router being too weak to reach every room in your house, consider purchasing a Wi-Fi extender to boost your connectivity.

If you’ve run through the laundry list and your Wi-Fi is still chugging slowly, move on to the next step.

Sarah Tew/CNET

Find a reliable VPN

Next, test your internet speed using a service like Fast.com or Speedtest.net. Compare the results with the same test when your VPN is active. Using any VPN should cut your speed considerably, so the speed tests should show a discrepancy, with the VPN-active speed being notably slower than the VPN-inactive speed. But a VPN also hides the IP address that providers use to identify you, so if your speed test with the VPN is faster than without the VPN, that may mean your ISP is targeting your IP address for throttling.

OK, this is the hard part. Even if you find out 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, so you might be unable to find a better provider. But here are a few hopefully useful suggestions:

  • If you do have options, consider switching to a better provider in your area. Not only will you potentially put speed throttling to rest, but you may end up with faster speeds and a better deal. Check out our top picks for ISPs and high-speed 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 mitigate throttling from unscrupulous ISPs.
  • Call your provider and threaten to switch providers if they don’t stop throttling your internet. This might seem old-fashioned and doesn’t guarantee lasting results, but some providers have responded positively to such tactics.

What is bandwidth throttling? Is it legal?

There’s no exact answer 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 might slow down your service to encourage you to pay for more data. Or, if you have a data cap and notice a laggy connection, your ISP might be limiting your service when you’re near the end of the cap.

How can I check if my ISP is throttling my bandwidth?

A VPN, or virtual private network, is a good solution to help combat internet throttling. Since VPNs can hide your identity, your provider can’t use your IP address to slow down your connection, helping you maintain more constant speeds. Besides using a VPN, consider switching to a new provider for faster speeds and, possibly, a better deal.

Share
Facebook Twitter Pinterest Linkedin

Related Posts

Leave a Reply