Bandwidth Throttling is the intentional slowing down of subscribers’ internet bandwidth by the Internet service provider (ISP). Throttling limit cannot be detected through internet speed test because it is applied on specific websites and IP addresses. As a result, when user performs a speed test, he/she always gets perfect download and upload speed.
Usually, bandwidth throttling is done when the data centers are facing technical difficulties such as Network congestion on peak hours, Fiber network breakdown or damaged submarine cables.
However, some ISP’s use bandwidth throttling for greed purposes to make user think their connection is incapable of downloading files in a constant speed or streaming videos via Netflix/YouTube in real time. In this case, many users start thinking to upgrade their connection’s speed in hope to get reasonable speed so they can watch/download their content smoothly.
Majority of the time bandwidth restrictions is applied on sites that require high data rate for example, YouTube, Netflix, Hulu and BitTorrent. It is highly illegal and unethical practice to limit user right for their allotted bandwidth.
How to Get Rid of Internet Bandwidth Throttling
The best way to avoid ISP traffic bandwidth limitation is to re-route your internet using a VPN connection. When you use a VPN, your data packets are sort of encrypted and untraceable depending on the VPN service provider. Hence, your ISP cannot detect which website you are visiting and therefore cannot apply bandwidth restrictions.
- Buy a reliable VPN service that has multiple locations (servers) around the world
- Make sure it supports OpenVPN, PPTP and L2Tp and other protocols because ISP’s even put limits on those, so the more the merrier
- Connect to the VPN server using the provided software. I would suggest using OpenVPN because it has high level of encryption.
- Browse the websites on which you were getting low speeds earlier, you will notice a huge improvement in streaming and download rates. Good bye Slow Netflix
Tips and Warnings
- Get a trial of VPN service before ordering, there is a chance your ISP might have already blacklisted it
- Refrain from logging into your  e-mail accounts, entering credit card details while using a VPN connection.
- You can get an yearly VPN service for less than $40 USD. So compare prices of the providers.
