The Truth About Internet Throttling: Causes, Signs, and Fixes

Ever been in the middle of streaming your favorite show or battling it out in an online game, only to be hit with frustratingly slow Internet speeds? Chances are, you've experienced Internet throttling — a sneaky practice that can slow down your connection when you need it most.

The good news is that it’s not just some random glitch — it’s known as “throttling” and it’s something you can fix. In this article, we’ll break down what Internet throttling is, why it happens, how to spot it, and what you can do to avoid these slower speeds.

What is Internet Throttling?

Internet throttling is when your Internet Service Provider (ISP) intentionally slows down your Internet connection. Throttling typically happens when your ISP limits the speed at which data is sent to your device, making your Internet run slower than usual. This can happen during specific times of the day or during certain activities, like streaming videos, gaming, or downloading large files.

Throttling can be frustrating, especially when you’re paying for high-speed Internet. It’s important to understand why it happens and what you can do about it, so you’re not stuck with poor service.

Why Do ISPs Throttle Your Internet?

There are several reasons why ISPs might slow down your connection. Internet throttling often involves bandwidth throttling, where your ISP deliberately slows down your Internet speed by limiting the amount of data that can flow through your connection. This reduces the speed at which you can stream videos, download files, or browse the web, even if you’re paying for high-speed Internet. ISPs often throttle broadband speeds to manage network congestion. If you’re using a broadband connection, you may notice slowdowns during peak hours or after hitting a data cap. Let’s take a closer look at the most common causes.

Network Congestion

Just like roads get congested with cars during rush hour, the Internet can get crowded when too many people are using it at once. ISPs often slow down Internet speeds to manage network congestion and prevent their systems from getting overloaded. This is especially common in densely populated areas or during peak usage times, like evenings or weekends. Specifically, ISPs can throttle speeds based on your IP address to manage network traffic. If you're using a lot of data or engaging in high-bandwidth activities like streaming, your IP address might be flagged, leading to throttling.

Data Caps

Some ISPs limit the amount of data you can use each month through data caps. Once you hit your limit, your ISP may slow down your Internet speeds, sometimes drastically. This is often done to encourage customers to upgrade to a higher-tier plan with more data. If this is your situation, you may need to first decide exactly how much Internet speed you need before making any decisions.

Streaming Services

Streaming services offer anyone with an Internet connection the ability to access their media, both from home and on the go. But streaming services like Netflix, YouTube, and Hulu use a lot of data, especially when you're watching high-definition or 4K videos. ISPs may throttle streaming services to reduce strain on their networks or encourage customers to upgrade to premium plans. Sometimes, they may even slow down specific services that use a lot of bandwidth.

Paid Prioritization

Some ISPs engage in paid prioritization, which means they give faster speeds to services that pay them extra money to deliver their content more quickly. For example, an ISP might allow faster speeds for video content from a service that has paid for this “fast lane,” while slowing down other content, like a competing streaming service.

Is Throttling a Legal Practice?

The legality of Internet throttling depends on the country and the rules around net neutrality. Net neutrality is the idea that ISPs should treat all Internet traffic equally, without discriminating or charging differently by user, content, website, or application.

In the U.S., net neutrality rules were rolled back in 2017, allowing ISPs to throttle Internet speeds more freely. However, ISPs are still required to disclose their throttling policies in their contracts or terms of service. So, while throttling is legal in some places, consumers should be aware of it and check their service agreements.

How to Tell if Your Internet is Being Throttled

If you’re paying for high-speed broadband and still experiencing slow speeds, throttling might be the cause. It’s not always obvious when your ISP is throttling your Internet. Throttling can sometimes be applied based on your IP address. If you notice slower speeds when using specific services, it could be that your ISP is throttling your connection, especially if you’re consuming a lot of data from a single IP address. Here are a few signs to look out for to tell if your Internet is being throttled.

Speed Test Results

Running a speed test is one of the easiest ways to see if your Internet is slower than what you’re paying for. You can use free tools like SmartMove’s speed test to measure your download and upload speeds. If these speeds are consistently much lower than what your plan promises, throttling could be the cause.

Specific Services Are Slower

Another sign is if your Internet speed drops only when you're using specific services. For example, you might notice that streaming videos or online gaming becomes slow, but browsing websites or checking email works fine. If this happens regularly with certain apps or services, it could mean your ISP is intentionally slowing down your connection.

Compare Time of Day

Throttling is often more noticeable during peak usage times when lots of people are online. If you find that your Internet slows down at night or during weekends but is faster at other times, your ISP may be throttling to manage network congestion during high-demand hours.

Which Types of Connections Are Most Likely to be Throttled?

Fixed wireless and satellite Internet connections are more likely to be slowed down, or throttled because they depend on limited bandwidth. These types of connections are often slower to start with and can get even slower during busy times or after you’ve used a certain amount of data. This can make things like streaming video or downloading files harder to do.

Broadband Internet, on the other hand, works on shared networks, meaning speeds can drop when many people in the area are online at the same time. This is most common during peak hours, like in the evening when people are streaming, gaming, or browsing. Even though broadband Internet usually offers faster speeds, it can still slow down if the network gets too crowded.

How to Stop or Avoid Internet Throttling

While you can’t always avoid or stop ISP throttling, there are several steps you can take to reduce its impact or prevent it from happening altogether.

• Upgrade Your Plan: Some ISPs offer higher-tier plans with more bandwidth or fewer data restrictions. If throttling is happening because you’ve hit a data cap, upgrading to a plan with more data or faster speeds may help.
• Switch Providers: If your current ISP is throttling your connection and you’re not happy with the service, consider switching to a different provider. Look for ISPs that are known for offering fast, reliable service with fewer throttling restrictions.
• Monitor Your Data Usage: Keep track of your data usage to avoid hitting data caps. Many ISPs have apps or websites where you can monitor your usage. If you’re approaching your limit, try to cut back on high-data activities, like streaming, until the next billing cycle.
• Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN): Using a VPN can help reduce throttling, especially when streaming videos or playing games. A VPN can mask your IP address and hide your traffic, making it harder for your ISP to detect and slow down specific activities, like watching Netflix or downloading large files.

Filing a Complaint About Throttling

If you believe your ISP is throttling your Internet unfairly, there are steps you can take to file a complaint:

• Contact your ISP: Start by contacting your ISP’s customer service. Explain your concerns and ask for an explanation of why your speeds are slow. Sometimes, they may offer a solution, such as upgrading your plan or reducing throttling.
• File a complaint with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC): In the U.S., the FCC handles complaints related to Internet service. If your ISP isn’t helpful, you can file a formal complaint with the FCC. Other countries have similar consumer protection agencies where you can report throttling.

Find a High-Speed Internet Provider With SmartMove

If you're tired of throttling or simply looking for a new provider, SmartMove can help you find the best high-speed Internet providers in your area. Using SmartMove, you can compare options, check customer reviews, and find a plan that meets your needs without the frustration of throttling.

By recognizing the signs of throttling, knowing why it happens, and taking the right steps to address it, you can get back to enjoying a smoother Internet experience. Whether that means upgrading your plan, switching providers, or filing a complaint, there are ways to minimize or avoid throttling altogether.