Originally Posted On: https://www.earthlink.net/blog/internet-throttling-why-it-happens-and-how-to-fix-it/

Internet Throttling: Why it Happens and How to Fix It

Nobody likes slow internet speeds, but a slow connection can indicate a few different problems. Sometimes, restarting your modem and router can solve the issues and you’re back online in no time. If your internet is slower than usual, your internet service provider (ISP) might be intentionally slowing down your connection, which is called speed throttling.

What is internet throttling?

Internet throttling, also called speed or bandwidth throttling, is the intentional slowdown of your internet speed. Users can experience slower speeds, pages that won’t load, and frustration. Though ISPs are the cause of throttling, they are sometimes slowing down speeds on the orders of other entities, such as restrictive governments.

Did you know that approximately 86% of Americans opposed the repeal of net neutrality, and 80% support open internet protections? With the lack of strong net neutrality regulations, throttling practices by ISPs have become more common and less transparent.

Why Do ISPs Throttle Bandwidth?

Data caps

Many ISPs impose data caps, which limit the amount of data you can use per billing cycle. Once you hit your limit, your ISP might throttle your connection or charge you extra for additional data.

High-bandwidth activities like streaming 4K video, online gaming, or video conferencing can quickly eat up your data.

EarthLink Fiber Internet solves this by offering unlimited data with no hidden caps.

Network congestion

If you notice slower speeds during specific times of the day (like lunch or early evenings), network congestion might be the culprit. For cable internet users, bandwidth is shared among households, which can cause slowdowns when too many people are online simultaneously.

Switching to fiber internet can eliminate this issue. Unlike cable, fiber provides a dedicated connection to every home, ensuring consistently fast speeds.

Paid prioritization

Without net neutrality, ISPs can prioritize traffic to certain websites or services (often their own), slowing down other websites. This is called “paid prioritization”—and while it doesn’t directly impact all users, the ripple effect can still create latency issues for some.

Is Your Internet Being Throttled? Find Out in 4 Simple Steps:

Now that you know why some internet providers slow your speeds, here’s four easy steps to check if your internet is being throttled.

First, run an internet speed test. Your results will show:

• Download speed (how much data can be downloaded from the server per second)
• Upload speed (how fast data can be sent to the server)
• Latency, also known as ping (describes how much time your device requires to send and receive a response)
• Retransmissions (what happens when a network is congested, and data needs to be re-sent)

Either take a screenshot of these numbers or keep your tab open, we’ll come back to this.

Next, connect to a virtual private network (VPN) and run the speed test again. Don’t have a VPN? We suggest choosing a cyber safety package that includes one, as it’s one of the best ways to stay safer online.

Once you’ve run both tests, compare the results. A VPN can work around some data caps, this helps you figure out if you’re experiencing a bandwidth choke. Compared to a standard internet connection, a VPN connection will be slightly slower. If your VPN is showing faster speeds, it is likely that your connection is being throttled.

Finally, compare your first test results to the advertised speeds on your internet plan. While your ISP guarantees speeds up to the speed on your plan, you should be experiencing speeds of at least 95% of your plan. If you’re consistently slower than that, it’s time to call your provider.

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How to Fix ISP Throttling

If you’re experiencing bandwidth throttling, there are three main ways to fix the problem.

1. Monitor your data usage

Keep an eye on your data consumption through your ISP’s online portal or app. Activities like streaming in HD or gaming can quickly exceed your cap, so consider reducing the quality settings or switching to audio-only during work calls.

2. Use a VPN

A VPN hides your activity, making it harder for ISPs to track or throttle your connection. EarthLink recommends choosing a VPN through a trusted cybersecurity package, such as EarthLink Protect+, to maintain both speed and privacy.

3. Switch to Fiber

Unlike cable or DSL, fiber internet offers a dedicated connection with no shared bandwidth. EarthLink provides high-speed fiber internet with no data caps or throttling, ensuring perfect performance even during peak hours.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is internet throttling illegal?

The short answer is no. ISP throttling is legal as long as the provider makes customers aware of it. The fine print typically includes this. This means by using the service and agreeing to the terms and conditions, you’ve agreed to internet throttling.

What does throttling mean?

Throttling is when your internet provider intentionally slows the performance of your internet connection.

How to stop ISP throttling without a VPN?

The best way to stop ISP throttling is to invest in a dedicated internet connection like fiber. Another way to stop throttling is to monitor your usage to avoid any potential data caps.

Why Choose EarthLink Fiber Internet?

EarthLink is one of the most reliable internet providers in the U.S., offering 1 Gig speeds, zero data caps, and no throttling with fiber.

Whether you’re a heavy streamer, gamer, or remote worker, EarthLink ensures you get consistent, high-speed access without interruptions. And with unlimited data, you’ll never deal with overage charges or slow load times again.

Explore EarthLink Fiber Plans

Key Takeaways

Internet throttling occurs when ISPs deliberately slow your connection speed. Causes include data caps, network congestion, and lack of net neutrality protections.

EarthLink Fiber Internet offers the ultimate solution, with unlimited data, no throttling, and speeds of up to 1 Gig.

You can fight throttling by using a VPN, monitoring your data usage, or switching to a reliable fiber connection.

Conclusion

In the grand scheme of internet use, being slowed down by throttling is a common frustration that many of us encounter. Yet, understanding why it happens and knowing how to tackle it puts the power back in our hands. Remember, fast and reliable internet isn’t a luxury anymore—it’s a necessity. If you’re tired of inconsistent speeds and throttling, call one of EarthLink’s internet experts today at 833-702-3152. Make the switch to fiber and enjoy hassle-free connectivity with no interruptions!