Bandwidth throttling can be one of the most frustrating experiences for internet users, especially when it slows down streaming, gaming, or large downloads. Many internet service providers manage network traffic by deliberately reducing speeds during periods of heavy use or when they detect specific online activities.
This can leave users with sluggish performance even if they are paying for high-speed plans. A VPN offers a potential solution by encrypting your traffic and masking your online activities, making it harder for ISPs to single out and slow down certain types of usage.
What Is a VPN?
One tool that might help safeguard your online privacy and internet connection is a virtual private network, or VPN. VPNs enable you to use public Wi-Fi hotspots securely, safeguard your online identity by concealing your IP address, and build an encrypted tunnel for your data.
What Is Bandwidth Throttling?
When your internet service provider purposefully reduces your internet speed, this is known as bandwidth throttling. This can be done for a variety of valid reasons, including controlling network congestion or for customers with slower internet service plans. Even if you have an unlimited contract, your bandwidth may still be throttled by your Internet service provider.
Why Do Internet Service Providers Throttle Your Bandwidth?
Not everyone will be throttled by internet service providers. Numerous things, including the appearance of your online activities, may influence it. Internet service providers have the ability to observe the websites you visit and use that information to determine whether or not to throttle your connection. Here’s why an Internet service provider might throttle you:
- Network congestion: Internet service providers attempt to limit traffic for customers who are using a lot of bandwidth because this can slow down internet traffic for other users in the same location.
- Data caps: Your monthly allotment of high-speed data may be restricted by certain ISPs. You’ve most likely exceeded your data cap if you start to notice slow speeds at the end of the month.
- Restricted activities: For activities that use more bandwidth or are banned for other reasons, Internet service providers in some places may lower bandwidth.
Can I Use a VPN To Avoid Bandwidth Throttling?
You can use a VPN to avoid bandwidth throttling in many cases. Internet service providers sometimes throttle connections when they detect heavy usage, such as streaming, gaming, or downloading large files. A VPN works by encrypting your internet traffic and masking its type and destination. This means your Internet service provider cannot easily see what you are doing online, making it harder for them to selectively slow down certain activities.
However, it’s important to note that while a VPN can help bypass throttling, it won’t increase your base internet speed. If your Internet service provider is throttling all traffic because of overall network congestion or data cap policies, a VPN may not completely solve the problem. For best results, choose a reliable VPN provider with strong encryption, multiple server options, and fast speeds to minimise any slowdown from the VPN itself.
How Do I Know If My Bandwidth Is Being Throttled?
Your Internet service provider most likely throttles your bandwidth if your internet speed abruptly lowers for no apparent reason. Although slow downloads or lagging videos are clear warning signs, you can easily check your internet speed with a speed test to see if there are any speed decreases.
A plethora of user-friendly speed-checking programs are available online. However, be aware that it is not a very reliable method because some Internet service providers may falsify your speed test results.
You can check your internet speed with a speed test, connect to a VPN, and then test your speed again to see if it’s improved. If your speed improves, it’s likely that your internet service provider throttles you.
Is Bandwidth Throttling Legal?
Throttling bandwidth is both legal and often required. Most bandwidth throttling occurs when ISPs attempt to keep network congestion to a minimum while still providing dependable service to their clients. You might not be able to connect during periods of high traffic if Internet service providers are unable to control demand.
What Else Can a VPN Do?
VPNs were created to protect personal privacy, security, and freedom of speech. Providing a potential solution to bandwidth throttling is just one bonus. VPNs can provide other things like encrypting your traffic that protects you from hackers, changing your IP address so no one can see your location and some VPNs have a dark web monitor function that can notify you if your data gets leaked.
Will a VPN Slow Down My Internet?
Your internet connection will be a little slower when using a VPN. This is due to the fact that a VPN requires additional time to operate because it routes your traffic through a VPN server. However, the impact on surfing performance will be less noticeable if you use a fast VPN with no speed constraints.
