Question:

How can I verify if my ISP is throttling my download speed based on the type of connection (LAN or WiFi)?

I recently switched to a small local ISP that advertised unlimited 120mbps download/upload speed. For the first few days, I was getting close to that speed on both LAN and WiFi. However, now my download speed has dropped to around 30mbps on LAN and 2-5mbps on WiFi, while my upload speed remains at 99mbps. I contacted customer service several times, but the problem persists. I suspect that they are limiting my download speed depending on whether I use LAN or WiFi. Is there a way to confirm this? If so, how can I override it or report it? I need some technical details to confront the service technician.

Answer:

If you are experiencing slow or inconsistent download speeds, you might wonder if your internet service provider (ISP) is throttling your connection. Throttling is a practice where ISPs intentionally limit or reduce the bandwidth or speed of a user’s internet service, usually for various reasons such as network congestion, data caps, or traffic management. Throttling can affect different types of connections, such as LAN or WiFi, and different types of activities, such as streaming, gaming, or downloading.

In this article, we will explain how you can verify if your ISP is throttling your download speed based on the type of connection (LAN or WiFi), and what you can do about it.

How to Verify If Your ISP Is Throttling Your Download Speed

The first step to verify if your ISP is throttling your download speed is to run a speed test. A speed test is a tool that measures the performance of your internet connection by sending and receiving data packets between your device and a server. You can use various online speed test services, such as [Speedtest.net](https://www.speedtest.net/), [Fast.com](https://fast.com/), or [Google Fiber Speed Test](https://fiber.google.com/speedtest/), to check your download and upload speeds, latency, and jitter.

To get accurate results, you should run the speed test on both LAN and WiFi connections, using the same device and browser, and at different times of the day. You should also make sure that no other devices or applications are using your internet connection during the test, and that you are not using a VPN or proxy service.

If you notice a significant difference between your LAN and WiFi download speeds, or between your download and upload speeds, or between your advertised and actual speeds, you might be experiencing throttling. For example, if your ISP promised you 120mbps download/upload speed, but you are getting only 30mbps on LAN and 2-5mbps on WiFi, while your upload speed remains at 99mbps, this could indicate that your ISP is limiting your download speed depending on the type of connection.

However, before you conclude that your ISP is throttling your download speed, you should also consider other factors that could affect your internet performance, such as:

–

Your router or modem

: Your router or modem could be outdated, faulty, or poorly configured, which could cause slow or unstable internet speeds. You should check if your router or modem supports the speed and frequency of your internet plan, and if it is placed in a central and open location, away from interference sources such as walls, metal objects, or other electronic devices. You should also update your router or modem firmware, reset or reboot it regularly, and change your WiFi password and channel if needed.

–

Your device or browser

: Your device or browser could also have issues that could affect your internet speed, such as low memory, high CPU usage, malware infection, or outdated software. You should check if your device or browser meets the minimum requirements for your internet plan, and if it is clean, updated, and optimized. You should also clear your browser cache and cookies, disable unnecessary extensions and plugins, and use a different browser if possible.

–

Your network or WiFi settings

: Your network or WiFi settings could also influence your internet speed, such as your DNS server, MTU size, QoS, or encryption type. You should check if your network or WiFi settings are configured correctly, and if they match the settings of your ISP, router, modem, and device. You should also use a wired connection instead of a wireless one if possible, as wired connections are usually faster and more reliable than wireless ones.

If you have ruled out these factors, and you still suspect that your ISP is throttling your download speed, you can try some additional methods to confirm your suspicion, such as:

–

Using a different ISP or plan

: If you have access to a different ISP or plan, you can compare your internet speed and performance with them. For example, you can use a mobile hotspot, a public WiFi, or a friend’s or neighbor’s internet connection, and run the same speed test as before. If you notice a significant improvement in your download speed, this could indicate that your ISP is throttling your connection.

–

Using a VPN service

: A VPN service is a tool that encrypts and routes your internet traffic through a remote server, hiding your IP address and online activity from your ISP and other third parties. By using a VPN service, you can bypass your ISP’s throttling and access the internet at its full speed and potential. However, you should be aware that some VPN services could also slow down your internet speed, depending on their server location, encryption level, and bandwidth limit. Therefore, you should choose a reputable and reliable VPN service, and test different servers and protocols until you find the best one for your needs.

How to Override or Report Your ISP’s Throttling

If you have verified that your ISP is throttling your download speed, you might wonder what you can do about it. Depending on your situation and preferences, you have several options to override or report your ISP’s throttling, such as:

–

Switching to a different ISP or plan

: The simplest and most effective way to override your ISP’s throttling is to switch to a different ISP or plan that offers better internet speed and performance, without any throttling or restrictions. You should compare different ISPs and plans in your area, and check their reviews, ratings, and customer service. You should also read their terms and conditions carefully, and look for any hidden fees, data caps, or fair usage policies.

–

Negotiating with your ISP

: Another option to override your ISP’s throttling is to negotiate with them, and try to reach a mutually beneficial agreement. You can contact your ISP’s customer service, and explain your situation and dissatisfaction. You can also provide them with evidence of your speed test results, and ask them to explain why they are throttling your download speed. You can then request them to stop throttling your connection, or to offer you a better deal or compensation. However, you should be polite, respectful, and reasonable, and avoid being rude, aggressive, or threatening.

–

Filing a complaint with the authorities

: A final option to report your ISP’s throttling is to file a complaint with the authorities, and seek legal action or regulation. You can contact the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), or your state attorney general, and file a formal complaint against your ISP. You can also join or support consumer advocacy groups, such as [Fight for the Future](https://www.fightforthefuture.org/), [Free Press](https://www.freepress.net/), or [Electronic Frontier Foundation](https://www.eff.org/), that campaign for net neutrality and internet freedom.

Conclusion

In this article, we have explained how you can verify if your ISP is throttling your download speed based on the type of connection (LAN or WiFi), and what you can do about it. We have discussed how to run a speed test, how to rule out other factors that could affect your internet performance, how to confirm your ISP’s throttling using different methods, and how to override or report your ISP’s throttling using different options.

We hope that this article has been helpful and informative, and that you have learned something new and useful. If you have any questions, comments, or feedback, please feel free to share them with us. Thank you for reading, and have a great day! 😊

References

: [What Is Bandwidth Throttling? | How to Stop ISP Throttling](https://www.cloudflare.com/learning/network-layer/what-is-bandwidth-throttling/) : [How to Tell If Your Internet Is Being Throttled by Your ISP](https://www.lifewire.com/how-to-tell-if-your-internet-is-being-throttled-4685700) : [What is a Speed Test? | How Does an Internet Speed Test Work?](https://www.speedcheck.org/wiki/speed-test/) : [How to Test Your Internet Speed (and 7 Mistakes You Should Avoid)](https://www.howtogeek.com/179016/how-to-test-your-internet-speed-and-7-mistakes-you-should-avoid/) : [How to Run a Reliable Speed Test](https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/how-to-run-a-reliable-speed-test) : [How to Improve Your Wi-Fi Signal](https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/how-to-improve-your-wi-fi-signal) : [How to Troubleshoot Your Home Network](https://www.howtogeek.com/126265/how-to-troubleshoot-your-home-network/) : [How to Speed Up Your Computer](https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/how-to-speed-up-your-computer) : [How to Speed Up Your Internet Browser](https://www.wikihow.com/Speed-Up-Your-Internet-Browser) : [How to Optimize Your Network Settings](https://www.wikihow.com/Optimize-Your-Network-Settings) : [Wired vs Wireless: Which Internet Connection Is