How to bypass ISP throttling?
It is first very important to understand what ISP throttling is.
It is basically when the ISP limits the bandwidth of your connection intentionally.
There are many reasons why a service provider takes such a step.
How Can You Tell That Your ISP Is Throttling Your Internet?
One sure shot way of checking this is to connect a computer to your internet modem and run a speed test.
Then open a VPN (Virtual Private Network) client and run the internet speed test again.
If the internet speed was much faster when you ran the test on VPN then it means that your internet service provider is definitely throttling your internet speed.
This check works because sometimes your ISP will throttle your internet speed because of the kind of content you are running.
If you are torrenting then it might throttle your internet speed to dissuade you from indulging in torrenting.
When you use a VPN, you basically hide what you are doing on the internet and all your connection and data gets encrypted so the speed will remain fine.
What Are The Reasons For ISP Throttling?
Many ISPs have their own reasons for carrying out this action but there are 4 that are the most common amongst them.
- Prohibited activity
- Congested Network
- Going above the data caps
- Paid prioritization
Congested Network
Most ISPs throttle internet speed in order to control network traffic otherwise it will get overloaded.
A single network that serves the entire neighborhood will throttle speed so that the bandwidth is equally distributed amongst all the active users in that area.
When ISP throttling is done properly, the users do not even notice that it is happening.
Prohibited Activity
Your ISP can throttle your internet speed when a forbidden activity is being performed by you.
This is done as a deterrent so that users can stop indulging in illegal activities online.
Going Above Data Caps
Some internet service providers put a limit on the amount of data that you can receive and send during one monthly cycle.
According to this rule if your downloads go above that set data limit then your overall bandwidth will reduce.
If you sign up for such a data plan then you need to keep in mind that everything that you do online requires a download to take place, it can be streaming a video, opening a web page or listening to a song online.
All of these different actions required data consumption and the use of your monthly data allowance.
Such internet service providers usually provide you with a method to check your remaining data limit via their online portal so that you don’t end up crossing your data gap.
This data cap needs to be communicated to the user before selling your service to them or making them sign a contract so that they are well aware of the consequences if their volume runs out.
However, if you still have not read the fine print on your contract and are experiencing internet throttling then you should check your contract or place a call to the ISP’s customer service.
Fast Lane Internet Prioritization
Another term for this is paid prioritization. This is basically when an ISP is paid by a company to prioritize their data over another company’s data.
This is often shown in a beneficial light but it can actually cause many problems.
- If the ISP has their own streaming website then it will try to throttle your internet speed when you try to access other streaming websites such as Hulu, Netflix or Amazon Prime. It will basically try to make it tougher for other companies to compete with them.
- The ISP wants certain websites to make payments for quicker load times. This is a way of making money for the ISP besides its primary business. With this way of conducting business those companies that are unable to pay up will lose out on a lot of valuable users.
- Once an ISP starts making money out of this they will start giving fast lane connections to specific popular sites and all those other websites that are unable to pay that hefty fees will lose out.
Paid prioritization was illegal until FCC (Federal Communications Commission) repealed it in 2018.
What Is The Difference Between Capping And Throttling?
Throttling is not something that your ISP will do openly, it is a hidden move that it plays in order to save up data.
In contrast to this, capping is a completely open process whereby your ISP will make you aware of the data cap before you register for their services.
As a user you have the complete right to sign up for data packages that offer unlimited data volume. With throttling you are unaware so you are not given that choice.
How to Bypass ISP Throttling with a VPN
Once you have carried out the test that tells you whether your ISP is throttling your internet speed or not, you need to figure out a way to put a stop to this controlling of speed.
There are many ways to control this throttling but the most successful and commonly used method is to install a good VPN.
There are many VPNs available in the market, some of them cost just a few dollars every month.
A VPN will basically redirect all the traffic through itself so your ISP will only be able to see the VPN address.
They will not be able to figure out the websites that you are using.
Bypass ISP Throttling Through Android Configuration
Long low times or excessive buffering and drop connections are some combinations that can take place when your ISP is successfully throttling the internet speed on your Android phone.
The same can be experienced on Windows and Apple devices too. Your internet service provider does not care whether you are using a tablet or a phone.
It will not be able to figure out the type of device that is being used but it will be able to keep a check on the data that is being processed.
There are certain steps that you can take on your Android device to control ISP throttling:
- In the menu on your device go into “Settings”.
- Under the “Wireless and Network” tab you will see a “Mobile Network” option.
- Go into “Point Names” and find out the APN for your internet service provider.
- Once you have also found your APN type then add “dun” to its end.
- Reboot your phone.
Bypass ISP Throttling On Windows Device
There are two ways to control throttling on a windows device. You have already read about the first one, which is to install a VPN app.
Alternatively if you are someone who is vary of installing a third-party software on their device and are someone who is a tech-wiz then may carry out the following steps:
- In “Settings” click on “Network and Internet”
- Switch on”Metered Connection”
- Go into “Update and Security” back in the “Settings” menu.
- Go to “Windows Update” > “Settings” > “Advanced Options”
- Choose “Deliver Optimization” then touch on “Advanced Settings”
- Make changes to the bar according to the level of optimization you need for your bandwidth.
How To Bypass ISP Throttling Without a VPN
The correct way to do this is by setting up Google DNS.
But before doing this you need to enable all antivirus and firewall settings.
Then you carry out the following steps:
- In your taskbar type “Run”
- A window will pop up, in that you need to type “GPEDIT.MSC”
- “Local Group Policy Editor” tab will pop up. Here you will choose “Computer Configuration” then you will go into “Administrative Templates. Then you will go into “Network” and after that you will select “QoS Packet Scheduler” and after that “Limit Reservable Bandwidth”
- A new window will open. In Bandwidth Limit % you need to type 0. The type “OK”
- Go into “Network and Internet” in the Control Panel
- Go into “Change Adapter Settings” in “Network and Sharing”
- Then you will have to select properties in the menu that will open when you left-click “Local Area Connection”.
- Put a tick in the box “Internet Protocol Version 4”. This will enable the TCP/IPv4 option.
- For Google DNS server you will have to put 8.8.8.8 in the DNS server blank box.
After carrying out all these steps it is very important to check for ISP throttling through the method that has been explained above.
What Are Those Most Common Places In Which Throttling May Occur?
YouTube And Netflix
Streaming websites such as YouTube and Netflix are the most common areas where internet throttling may occur.
A lot of times only those people are targeted for throttling who are not paying for top expensive ISP packages.
In 2017 Verizon was held as a culprit for throttling internet speed when users were trying to access Netflix.
Later Netflix had to come up with its own speed test in order to check for ISP throttling.
Gaming Consoles
Throttling has been often noticed during gaming as it involves very high upload and download speed.
Many gamers feel that they have been discouraged from playing due to this ISP throttling.
Sony accepted that they throttled the speed on PlayStation Network. Many users reported getting only 20mbps to 40mbps speed on a 100mbps internet connection.
What Is The Law Regarding Throttling In Different Countries?
UK
Since May 2018, all the ISPs in the UK have to be honest about their download speed with their customers.
A lot of companies had to change their advertisements and data packages in order to become aligned with this new rule.
Now if you are experiencing lower than communicated internet speed from your ISP then you have the complete right to call them up and ask for a valid explanation.
Australia
In Australia no such legislation has been passed as of yet but the regulators are trying to put some regulations in place that will curb the exploitation of internet users.
If the regulators become successful in getting this law passed then internet companies will not be able to lie about internet speeds.
Canada
This topic has been known to trigger a quite heated debate in Canada.
There has been a lot of evidence that suggests that Bell Canada has been indulging in illegal internet throttling.
A complaint has been lodged with the regulatory authority and due diligence is being conducted in this matter to reach a verdict.
Conclusion
It is a hidden move that is carried out by internet service providers to make more money under the table.
Many countries have declared it to be completely illegal and unethical. Next time your internet speed starts to lag, get to the bottom of it.
