What to Know About Bandwidth Throttling

Are you constantly frustrated with the speed or availability of your wireless internet service? If so, you may have encountered bandwidth throttling. Bandwidth throttling can have a significant impact on your browsing experience, preventing access to streaming services and other online resources. In this blog post, we’ll explain what bandwidth throttling is and how it might be affecting your connection speeds.

What is Bandwidth Throttling?    

Bandwidth throttling occurs when an Internet Service Provider (ISP) deliberately slows your Internet connection based on certain criteria. Sometimes that criteria can be related to the type of content being accessed (such as streaming video or downloading large files). Other times, it can be related to how much data has been used in a given period of time (for example, if someone uses too much data in a month, they may be subject to bandwidth throttling). ISPs often employ bandwidth throttling to manage their networks more efficiently and reduce congestion during peak usage periods.    

How Can I Avoid Bandwidth Throttling?    

There are several ways you can avoid bandwidth throttling. One way is to switch ISPs altogether; some providers don’t employ any form of speed limiting or other methods for managing their networks. Trifecta Wireless, for example, does not use any kind of bandwidth throttling so customers always receive optimal speeds no matter what type of content they are accessing or how much data they have used that month. Additionally, many ISPs offer unlimited data plans which allow customers to access as much data as they want without worrying about speed slowing down due to overuse.  Another way to avoid bandwidth throttling is by using a virtual private network (VPN). A VPN will encrypt your traffic so that your ISP won’t be able to tell what kind of content you are accessing or how much data you are using, thus eliminating the possibility of being subject to speed limiting policies.    

Make sure that any licenses or terms of services agreements with your ISP don’t include bandwidth limits and make sure to get confirmation in writing if so. Monitor your bandwidth usage regularly and test for speed over time to help identify whether your ISP is limiting your speeds. it, so you can act fast if necessary.  

Signs Your ISP is Engaging in Bandwidth Throttling  

To determine whether or not your ISP is engaging in bandwidth throttling, examine your download speeds over time. If you notice a sudden decrease in bandwidth that remains consistent, there is a strong likelihood that bandwidth throttling may be impacting your connection. Additionally, if some websites load significantly slower than others and streaming services seem slow and unreliable, bandwidth throttling could be an issue. To confirm bandwidth throttling activity, use an internet speed test with an external server to determine precise download speeds–it could be eye-opening when compared to the results of one performed using an ISP-owned server.

Partner with Trifecta Wireless Today to Get Speeds You Can Rely On!  

Bandwidth throttling can be frustrating, but fortunately, there are ways you can minimize its effects or avoid it completely. By following the steps mentioned in this article and doing some research into different ISPs and plans available in your area, you should have no problem avoiding issues with bandwidth throttling in the future! Learn how Trifecta Wireless can improve your internet experience today by contacting us online or texting us at 616-881-1188!