Is your internet being throttled? How to test and fix your speeds
A slow internet is super annoying. A spinning circle appears during your favorite Netflix show. Your game turns sluggish. What you're experiencing is internet "throttling" -- when your internet temporarily slows down -- and the culprit is usually data limits or congestion on the network.
Internet throttling is often actually intentional — most internet service providers (ISPs) and mobile services use internet throttling to free up bandwidth when networks are congested. Your internet provider will not tell you when data throttling occurs, but ISP throttling is common when more people are online.
There are several steps you can take to test internet speed on your own. That way you can get back to working, swiping through social media feeds or binge-watching your shows.
What are the signs of internet throttling?
You're not crazy, your internet might be slower than usual. Some common signs of internet throttling are:
- You notice sudden buffering/lag or slower internet speeds during evenings or weekends.
- You notice an abrupt slowdown in internet speed.
- Buffering or lag while gaming or streaming.
- Slower internet speeds closer to the end of your billing cycle.
How to test for internet throttling
Not sure if you’re experiencing bandwidth throttling? Use these steps to find out if your home Wi-Fi service is affected by data throttling.
- Run a standard speed test online.
- Next, use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to run a second speed test. There are several free VPNs available online.
- Compare results. If you get a faster internet speed during the VPN test, your ISP might be throttling your speed.
- Repeat the tests to confirm results. Make sure to run both speed tests at the (1) same time of day, (2) on the same device and (3) without other devices connected to the internet.
It's good to use a VPN for throttling tests because some ISPs can tell when you are running a speed test. Because of this, they may boost your speed temporarily to give you a better result. A VPN prevents this by concealing what you are doing online.
What causes internet throttling?
ISPs generally use throttling as system management and to relieve congestion during busy times. It is within your ISP’s rights to throttle your speed. This rule is typically outlined within the fine print of your provider’s acceptable use policies.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) permits ISP throttling by allowing internet providers control over “reasonable network management.”
Why is my internet throttling?
There are several reasons why your ISP may throttle your internet.
- Priority customers: ISPs offer network prioritization, which means certain users maintain fast speeds regardless of how many people are online, while others are temporarily slowed down. For instance, prioritization is often offered to business internet customers.
- Network congestion: Throttling the internet during busy times of day is a way for the provider to keep up with the demand.
- Data limits of your internet plan: Exceeding your plan’s data cap results in bandwidth throttling.
Which providers throttle internet?
Providers are allowed to throttle your internet speed. Here are how some popular Wi-Fi providers might throttle bandwidth.
- Xfinity: Xfinity will throttle your internet if you exceed the 1.2 TB data limit on its home internet plans.
- Optimum: While Optimum internet offers unlimited data, the ISP still manages and prioritizes the network as necessary.
- Verizon Fios: In general, fiber internet like Verizon Fios doesn’t suffer as commonly from network congestion and therefore is less frequently throttled compared to cable internet. However, Verizon Fios still has the right to manage its network as necessary, which could include bandwidth throttling.
- AT&T: Similar to Verizon Fios, AT&T fiber services are less prone to throttling, although it could still occur from time to time.
- Hughesnet: Hughesnet and other satellite providers will significantly slow your connection speed if you exceed the data limit associated with your internet plan.
Contributing: Lisa Iscrupe and Hannah Whatley, Allconnect
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