ISP (Internet Service Provider) throttling is a method of purposefully slowing down the bandwidth of a device user. This essentially means that your ISP slows down the speed of the internet connection (or bandwidth) to control internet traffic, congestion, and other issues.
Slow connection speeds on your devices can be anything from slightly annoying to downright disastrous, depending on what you are doing. We will dig into ISP throttling and ways that you can stop it from happening without having to get a VPN.
What is ISP throttling?
ISP throttling, also called “bandwidth throttling,” is annoying when using devices. ISP throttling happens in one of two ways:
- Between your device and your service provider
- Between your device and the webpage or application you are using
Whichever way, ISP throttles are meant to reduce the traffic and congestion in the bandwidth of the server. ISP throttles happen several times a day to save your ISP time so that they can process less data input at once.
A VPN is one of the easiest ways to deal with ISP throttling, and we will cover this later in the article. However, if you do not want to buy or subscribe to a VPN service, but you still want to stop your ISP from throttling your bandwidth, then read on.
3 ways to stop ISP throttling without a VPN
Here you have some other methods to help increase your bandwidth or prevent your internet service provider from throttling it.
1. Switch internet service providers
The first way to stop ISP throttling is probably the most annoying. This way, you switch your internet service provider altogether. You pack your metaphorical bags and head over to a new internet service provider that has more bandwidth. You can find providers that offer deals where you can increase or maintain your bandwidth without paying more.
This can be annoying because some internet service providers are difficult to switch from. Sometimes you are locked in by a contract; other times there is a termination fee. Sometimes there is no hassle and you can simply cancel your subscription! It all depends on your internet service provider and what their policies are.
Switching providers can look like doing your research and going from one internet service provider to another. Your internet service provider might not be thrilled about you heading to their competitors. But you can use this to your advantage.
Explain your situation to a customer service agent at your ISP and explain that you plan to move your business elsewhere (especially a direct competitor of your internet service provider). You might find you can negotiate a deal or bargain with the agent to increase your bandwidth or stop the ISP throttling while keeping your current payments.
If you choose to switch your internet service provider altogether, you should make sure that you research which internet service providers have lower chances of throttling your bandwidth. For example, a FIOS internet service provider will usually throttle your bandwidth less than a cable internet service provider.
Again, it all depends on the plan and package you sign on to.
2. Bypass the ISP throttling
Another way to avoid bandwidth throttling is to bypass the ISP throttling altogether. However, this method requires a lot of background and technical knowledge that not everyone may have. You first need to know what the throttling is and how the bandwidth throttling is being done. This is not common knowledge for folks who are not into computers!
Regardless, the best way to go about this is to make it look like something else. Essentially you can trap and contain data traffic using applications designed to do so.
If you are big into creating programs on computers, then you could also create a proxy server of your own that can redirect the activity traffic to the webpage by way of the proxy server.
To the internet service provider, it will appear that the user is using a specific server. The internet service provider will not be able to access the webpage where the redirect is heading. However, you should note that this technique does not work 100% of the time. Internet service providers are aware of this trick. So if they are looking for evidence of a proxy server rerouting data traffic, they will probably be able to locate it.
3. Upgrade your ISP plan
The last method to stop ISP throttling without a VPN is to crack and buy the more expensive, non-throttled plan or plans offered by your ISP. Many people will avoid doing this at all costs, but sometimes it is the easiest way.
What you should know about ISP throttling
One of the most interesting things about ISP throttling is that providers also use it to increase the number of users who buy the more expensive service packages. More often than not, the more expensive service packages will not have any ISP throttling and no limitations on the bandwidth.
This means that not only are you and your device trapped in slow internet speeds but you are also being pushed to buy the premium or expensive deals that have better speeds.
ISP throttling is both a data processing tick and a sales technique. Most people would rather just pay extra to have faster bandwidth. A lot of internet service providers use this sales technique so that:
- They make more, higher-value sales
- Everyone gets the internet speeds that they are paying for
This also means that your streaming services can get throttled too. Think of services like Hulu or Netflix. Internet service providers throttle torrenting traffic as well. This often happens when your internet service provider thinks that you have hit your data usage limit.
Is a VPN the best way to stop ISP throttling?
No one likes limits on anything that they have paid for, so it makes sense that you want to get the most out of your internet service provider. However, not all internet service providers are created equal. The easiest and most efficient way to stop ISP throttling on your device and bandwidth is to get a VPN.
They are easy and often affordable. Plus, most VPNs stop ISP throttling without needing to buy an extension to a standard service.
Final thoughts
We like to think that there are amazing solutions to all of our problems, but when it comes to stopping ISP throttling without a VPN, the path of least resistance is to upgrade your plan. Again, you can bargain and haggle a bit with your internet service provider to try and get some bonuses or discounts, but overall it can be easier to pick your battles or get a VPN.
Related:
