Latest news with #bandwidth
CNET
2 days ago
- CNET
What Is a Network Switch? I Spoke With a Netgear Expert to Find Out
If you're serious about optimizing your internet connection, then using a network switch could take it to the next level. You might be wondering: "If my home internet works fine without a network switch, do I really need one?' I spoke with an expert from Netgear to discover the benefits of using one. Spoiler: It can improve your connection. A network switch is a device you connect to your router. It opens up more Ethernet ports, allowing your router to connect to multiple devices. If your household frequently relies on your home broadband connection to stream or game, these activities can hog a lot of bandwidth. It helps to have a network switch to speed up your connection. Sometimes, an advanced network switch can also prioritize your traffic for specific devices, such as Smart TVs or gaming consoles and reduce network congestion. Why does this matter? Well, if your network suffers from a lot of congestion, you'll likely see slower and inconsistent speeds. This can really put a damper on you're gaming or streaming your favorite show. There is more than one type of network switch, which we'll cover in a bit. Each serves its own purpose. However, choosing the best type of network switch for your needs will depend on a few things. John Henkel, Netgear's director of SMB Product Marketing, tells CNET that 'a user should consider their own level of tech savviness, their appetite for customization and control, and what the network needs are,' before considering investing in a network switch. How does a network switch anyway? Akamai/Screenshot by CNET It can be easy to confuse a router and a network switch, as they offer similar features but have different purposes. According to Spiceworks, a router transfers information through data packets from one computer network to another. It can also direct traffic between these computer networks and route it to their final destination, a specified Internet Protocol address. aka an IP address. On the other hand, a network switch is a device that connects your router to multiple devices. It operates at layer 2 of the Open Systems Interconnection model. A network switch sends data through packets using the appropriate Ethernet ports that lead to the intended device. One of the main advantages of using a network switch is that it allows you to connect your router to multiple devices such as computers, wireless access points, printers and other servers. Locating local internet providers Knowing the different types of switches available can help you better understand how network switches work. The names of these switches can differ based on the industry, but overall, switches fall into the categories of unmanaged to fully managed. The types of network switches and their prices Netgear categorizes switches into the following buckets: Unmanaged switches are the simplest type, involving a plug-and-play device that requires very little setup or configuration. These can be most useful for basic switching and connectivity for the average household. Most unmanaged switches are the cheaper option, with some priced below $100. are the simplest type, involving a plug-and-play device that requires very little setup or configuration. These can be most useful for basic switching and connectivity for the average household. Most unmanaged switches are the cheaper option, with some priced below $100. Smart managed switches offer more complex features and advanced controls . They provide customized controls to prioritize certain kinds of traffic, like video calls or streaming. Similar to fully managed switches, smart-managed devices can range anywhere from $100 up to $2,000 or more. offer more complex features and advanced controls They provide customized controls to prioritize certain kinds of traffic, like video calls or streaming. Similar to fully managed switches, smart-managed devices can range anywhere from $100 up to $2,000 or more. Fully managed switches are considered top-notch, enterprise-grade devices. They usually have professional audio, video and other complicated networking functions. In addition, they offer the most security and precise network controls and management. These switches would benefit businesses that require connectivity for a larger network. The only downside is that they will likely be the most expensive option. Most fully managed switches can range anywhere from $120 to $7,000 and up. So, which is the best type of network switch? For the average household, you'll likely only use an unmanaged or a smart managed switch. 'Most households will benefit the most from a simple, inexpensive, unmanaged switch,' Henkel said. 'They won't need the customization and management options that come with an enterprise-grade managed switch.' Faster speeds, increased security and better controls Now that we've covered the different types of switches available, how can a network switch actually help your home internet connection? A network switch can be ideal because it helps speed up your home internet connection. Most households use devices such as TVs, printers, computers and more, which consume a lot of bandwidth. According to OpenVault's latest report, in the first quarter of 2025, downstream usage increased by 12.1% compared to last year, whereas upstream was up by 13.7%. Different online activities rely on both your downstream (download) usage and upstream (upload) usage. That same report also highlighted that over 115 million US households owned a smart TV in 2024 and spent an average of 21-plus hours per week streaming. Needless to say, more and more households are consuming plenty of bandwidth, which makes investing in a network switch valuable. According to Akamai, here are some of the common benefits of using a network switch: Increased bandwidth A network switch can help produce faster speeds for the connected devices. If you notice that your actual speeds differ from what your internet service provider advertises, this can be from any of a number of factors, such as router placement, the layout of your home, large walls and obstructions interfering with your Wi-Fi signal or even throttled speeds from your ISP. However, if you've tried different ways to optimize your connection at home and are still running into internet trouble, then it might be time to invest in a network switch. Increased security Switches can create virtual LANs or VLANs, which isolate network traffic and separate sensitive data, restricting access to approved devices only. This can be especially helpful in securing your network from unauthorized devices and/or hackers. Increased network controls You control and manage your network. Adding a network switch can increase the number of devices connected to it. Ethernet power over Wi-Fi Many network switches typically use Ethernet technology to connect to other devices. An Ethernet cable may be more energy efficient since these devices won't need a separate power supply. In addition, an Ethernet connection may offer faster speeds than Wi-Fi. Network switches are great, if you can get past the steep price tag There are many advantages to having a network switch, as we've covered. However, the biggest downside is that switches typically have a steep price tag. Overall, the price will depend on the brand and type of network switch you purchase. For the most part, the average network switch can range anywhere from $120 to as high as $30,000. Keep in mind that fully managed switches will likely fall on the pricier end of that range. But there are a few unmanaged switches online with more basic features that are priced below $100. So, are network switches worth it? 'While you won't need a top-of-the-line switch, I still recommend researching and investing in a quality product,' Henkel said. He also recommended that a higher quality network switch likely requires a greater up-front investment, though this just means you'll get better results for your money, since it will be more durable for years to come. A network switch can be a game-changer for optimizing your home internet connection. It offers plenty of benefits ideal for the average household, such as increased speeds, security and network control. An unmanaged network switch with basic controls will likely be sufficient for the average household. Though if you want more personalized controls, which involve prioritizing traffic for specific devices, you can expect to pay more up-front. Network switch FAQs What is a network switch? A network switch is a device that you connect to your router. It opens up more Ethernet ports, allowing your router to connect to multiple devices in your home. There are different types of network switches and their names can differ based on industry, but they usually fall under the category of unmanaged to fully managed switches. Unmanaged switches offer the most basic features, whereas smart managed and fully managed switches offer more complex and personalized controls. What are the benefits of using a network switch? One of the main advantages of using a network switch is that it helps optimize your network by increasing bandwidth and reducing network congestion, providing better security and controls over your network and the benefits of Ethernet technology.
GSM Arena
26-06-2025
- GSM Arena
HDMI 2.2 spec released with 96Gbps bandwidth and 16K support
After announcing it at CES earlier this year, HDMI Forum has finally released the latest HDMI 2.2 spec for device and accessory manufacturers. As with previous major HDMI revisions, the major update with version 2.2 is the increase in bandwidth. HDMI 2.2 supports up to 96Gbps bandwidth, twice that of HDMI 2.1 that came before it. However, since this is HDMI Forum we are talking about, and some amount of muddying of water is expected, HDMI 2.2 will also apply to devices supporting 64Gbps, 80Gbps, and the full 96Gbps bandwidth. As usual, there is a big attention-grabbing resolution number to go with this new spec. This time, we are getting support for up to 16K resolution at 60Hz or 12K resolution at 120Hz using display stream compression or chroma subsampling. But while it's easy to roll your eyes at these figures, a big bandwidth increase like this also brings with it improvements at more practical resolutions. For example, with the recent launch of 4K 240Hz monitors, you can achieve this resolution and refresh rate combination at 10-bit or 12-bit color without having to use display stream compression or chroma subsampling, something that wasn't possible before. Similarly, you can achieve true 8K 60Hz 4:4:4 at 10-bit or 12-bit without compression. Other features in the new spec include Latency Indication Protocol (LIP), dynamic HDR support, source-based tone mapping (SBTM), enhanced eARC, enhanced gaming features, including VRR, ALLM, and QFT, Quick Media Switching (QMS), and HDMI cable power. To go along with the new spec, HDMI Forum has also announced a new standard for the cables that will be required to achieve this bandwidth. The previous Ultra High Speed HDMI standard used for HDMI 2.1 transmission will no longer be adequate, and you will have to look for the new Ultra96 HDMI branding on cables to ensure compatibility. As with Ultra High Speed HDMI, HDMI Forum will be testing and certifying cables that meet the Ultra96 HDMI spec and such cables will have the Ultra96 Certified Cable label with hologram and QR code that customers can scan to verify. Source
National Post
24-06-2025
- Business
- National Post
Exploding Data Consumption Signals New Era for Fiber Infrastructure, Zayo Report Finds
Article content Nearly 200 million fiber miles will be needed to meet capacity projections by 2030 and avoid a bandwidth shortage Article content DENVER — Zayo, a leading global communications infrastructure provider, today released The Zayo Bandwidth Report: Key Trends Driving the Bandwidth Boom, analyzing bandwidth consumption trends from 2020 to 2024 across customers, network decision-makers, and third-party industry research. The research revealed that bandwidth demand is growing rapidly across hyperscalers, carriers, and enterprises, and a significant increase in fiber is needed to meet projected capacity strains. Specifically, Zayo's third-party research found that a projected 120 million long-haul fiber miles and 70 million metro fiber miles will be needed to meet capacity projections by 2030. Without this additional infrastructure, a bandwidth shortage is imminent. Article content 'Increased connectivity demands from data centers, hyperscalers, and carriers are on track to create bandwidth scarcity in the near future. If you're not getting the bandwidth you need today, in 10 years it may be too late,' explains Bill Long, Chief Product & Strategy Officer at Zayo. 'Failure to address connectivity lags could lead to operational bottlenecks, resource shortages, and long-term competitive disadvantage.' Key Findings: Article content Bandwidth's growth rate is astronomical: Between 2023-2024, metro dark fiber purchasing increased 268%. In the same timeframe, long-haul dark fiber purchasing increased 52.6%. According to Zayo's third-party research, metro fiber demand and long-haul fiber demand are expected to continue to grow by an average of ~20% and ~35%, respectively, year-over-year over the next five years. Fueled by AI and digital transformation, large bandwidth use cases are consuming more than ever: Between 2020-2024, hyperscalers and carriers made 91.2% of all metro dark fiber purchases and 66.8% of all wavelength deals exceeding 1TB of capacity with Zayo. New AI use cases are spurring a record number of large-scale wavelength and fiber purchases, predominantly from hyperscalers, software, and tech companies looking to gain a competitive advantage through technology. Emerging data center markets are gaining momentum: Demand for long-haul routes and metro wavelength connectivity skyrocketed in non-traditional, emerging data center hubs like Memphis and Salt Lake City, increasing by 4,300% and 348.28% year-over-year, respectively, from 2023 to 2024. These cities offer ideal geospatial optimization between fiber and power, ensuring enough fiber can be built in locations with more affordable energy sources to meet demand. Vertical markets see record demand growth: The manufacturing sector experienced some of the largest growth in bandwidth demand as a result of digital acceleration and rapid reindustrialization across North America. Between 2020 and 2024, the sector saw a 364.34% growth in wavelength capacity purchased, surging from 1.88 TB to 8.71 TB. The software and technology industry also saw a massive 450% increase in wavelength capacity purchased, from 9.6 TB to 52.12 TB, as this sector continues to demand more bandwidth to handle growing data demands, power cloud services, and ensure seamless performance for cutting-edge applications. Increased access to remote areas is causing additional demand: Partnerships between terrestrial giants and satellite providers aim to eliminate dead zones, boost emergency communication, and enhance network resilience, but they also drive up bandwidth demands. Seamless integration between terrestrial networks and satellites enables IoT adoption in remote areas, further increasing resource pressure. Article content What This Means Article content As widespread growth in bandwidth consumption continues and is projected to increase, it's clear that innovative organizations need more bandwidth to enable the usage of AI and emerging technologies. But building the fiber networks needed to deliver this bandwidth at scale is complex, costly, and risky without the right expertise in place. Article content As the only company to build long-haul fiber networks at scale in the last decade, Zayo is actively investing to deliver the critical fiber infrastructure to avert a potential bandwidth gap. In January, the company rolled out plans to build more than 5,000 long-haul fiber route miles to meet the growing demands of AI workloads. Zayo recently advanced construction on the first of this long-haul fiber commitment with a new 385-mile fiber route between Chicago and Columbus. In addition, in March, the company announced plans to acquire Crown Castle's fiber solutions business, which will add 100,000+ metro route miles to Zayo's network to support enterprise and AI-driven bandwidth growth. Article content To view the full report and learn how Zayo helps customers meet escalating digital demands while future-proofing their infrastructure, visit: About Zayo For more than 17 years, Zayo has empowered some of the world's largest and most innovative companies to connect what's next for their business. The Zayo group of companies connects 400 global markets with future-ready networks that span over 19 million fiber miles and 147,000 route miles. Zayo's tailored connectivity solutions and managed services enable carriers, cloud providers, data centers, schools, and enterprises to deliver exceptional experiences, from core to cloud to edge. Discover how Zayo connects what's next at and follow us on LinkedIn. Article content Article content Article content Article content
CNET
23-06-2025
- CNET
Bandwidth vs. Latency: We Chatted With an Internet Connectivity Expert to Understand the Difference
Having fast, reliable home internet is essential these days for work, school, streaming and browsing. But understanding how much speed you need, or even what "internet speed" even means, can be a daunting task. Bandwidth and latency are two key factors that affect how we perceive the speed of our internet connection. But while you may hear them used together quite often, these two terms have distinct meanings. Understanding what they are and the difference between them can help you troubleshoot your home internet -- whether you're on cable, fiber, DSL, 5G or satellite. Here's the simple breakdown from Mike Conlow, director of network strategy at Cloudflare, an internet infrastructure company: 'Bandwidth refers to the amount of data that can be transmitted at once. Latency measures the time data takes to get from your computer to where it's going (and often to get an acknowledgment of receipt back to your computer).' Conlow illustrates the concepts of bandwidth and latency using the metaphor of cars and a highway. Bandwidth is the number of lanes (more lanes means higher bandwidth), and latency is the time it takes a car on that highway to reach its destination (faster travel time means lower latency). What is bandwidth? Bandwidth is the maximum amount of data that can be transferred over an internet connection in a specific amount of time. That's expressed in megabits per second (Mbps) or gigabits per second (Gbps). Let's say you're shopping for internet and comparing plans from cable provider Xfinity. You can choose from different tiers of bandwidth. You may see plans ranging from 150Mbps to 1,200Mbps. If I were an internet user with many devices, big files and demanding streaming and gaming needs, I'd be interested in a higher bandwidth plan, like the 1,200Mbps option. How do I figure out my bandwidth? Check the details of your internet provider's plan. Let's say you have Google Fiber's 1 gig Core plan. Your potential bandwidth is 1,000Mbps (or 1Gbps) for downloads and uploads since fiber typically offers a symmetrical connection (the same speed for downloads and uploads). If you have 5G internet (like I do with T-Mobile 5G Home Internet), bandwidth gets fuzzier. The bandwidth available to your home may fluctuate depending on the strength of your wireless signal, the placement of your equipment and network congestion. Locating local internet providers Does bandwidth equal speed? When we talk about 'speed,' we often mean the advertised download and upload speeds of an internet plan. But you'll hear speed thrown around in all sorts of contexts when it comes to home internet. 'It's really confusing that 'speed' has become a catchall when really it's only referring to bandwidth,' says Conlow. Bandwidth is only one component of how your internet performs. What's more important is how your plan actually works for you, day in and day out. Higher bandwidth plans can correlate with a faster experience, but other factors come into play -- including the equipment you're using, the type of internet connection and the latency (more on this in a moment) of your connection. Use an internet speed test to get an idea of what's happening with your connection. Check out CNET's speed test recommendations, including our top option, Ookla. (Ookla is owned by the same parent company as CNET, Ziff Davis.) A good speed test will deliver data on your download speed, upload speed and latency. Don't be surprised if you don't hit the max speed of your plan. Actual speeds may vary from advertised speeds with most kinds of internet connections. What is latency? Latency is an overlooked factor in internet performance. The time it takes for your data to move has a big impact on how fast or slow your experience feels. This is especially true for online gamers who need their commands to register quickly. If you're saving the world, you don't want to twiddle your thumbs waiting for your takedown of the final boss to load. But low latency is desirable for any internet user. 'It's a common misconception that only gamers need to care about having a low-latency internet connection and that most users should have a very high bandwidth connection,' Conlow says. Conlow uses Netflix as an example. Netflix recommends a 15Mbps download connection for streaming 4K video. Do the math, and you'd need 67 people all watching 4K on their devices to saturate a 1Gbps connection. Of course, our households now have many other devices competing for that bandwidth, too. But still, that gigabit connection will be overkill for most homes. Do I need higher bandwidth or lower latency? Let's stick with that 1Gbps connection. 'Meanwhile, using web browsing as something everyone does on the internet, academic research and Cloudflare's own work has shown that above 25Mbps, web pages don't load any faster -- a user is getting no benefit from a 1Gbps connection,' Conlow says. In contrast, he highlights how a lower latency connection can help web pages load faster and provide a better overall experience. On the hunt for low latency? Typically, fiber internet features lower latency than other connection types. What about ping? You might hear 'ping' and 'latency' used interchangeably, especially if you're involved in the gaming community. The terms are related, but they're not exactly the same thing. Ping is a measurement of latency, expressed in milliseconds (ms). Don't judge me by my internet speed test results. Amanda Kooser/Ookla The same speed test you use to get a snapshot of your internet connection can tell you your ping rate. Look for a result below the download and upload numbers that's labeled 'ping' or 'latency.' For example, I ran an Ookla test on my laptop connected by Wi-Fi to my T-Mobile 5G Home Internet gateway. The test used a server in the same city as me. It gave me three ping numbers: 54ms (when idle at the beginning of the test), 230ms (while the download test was in progress) and 621ms (while the upload test was in progress). The download and upload pings simulate conditions when the network is in use. If I were a gamer, I'd probably be shopping for a new internet provider. Ideally, I'd like a ping of 50ms or under, or at least under 100ms. As it is, I sometimes notice websites loading slowly or video stuttering when I'm in a Zoom meeting. Are you a gamer? Read up on these tips for lowering your ping. Remember, a speed test is a snapshot of the internet connection to a particular device at a particular point in time. You may see different results depending on the device, the server the speed test connects to, the time of day and whether you're connected via a wired or wireless network. Learn the difference between Wi-Fi and Ethernet. Bandwidth and latency: What can you control? Bandwidth tends to be an easier factor to control. If available, you can upgrade your internet plan. For instance, I went from a 20Mbps DSL plan to T-Mobile's home internet service, where I sometimes top 100Mbps downloads in speed tests. That was a noticeable performance upgrade for my home. If bandwidth is a sticking point, consider a higher bandwidth plan or move to another ISP. Conlow recommends keeping your home internet equipment upgraded, whether you're getting your gear from your ISP or providing your own. "There have been dramatic improvements in Wi-Fi and other technologies that manage latency," he says. He also suggests hardwiring devices -- like TVs and desktop computers -- that don't need to be moved around. "Wi-Fi itself can be a cause of latency, and hardwired will be a faster, more stable connection," he explains. Finally, don't shy away from contacting your ISP. There may be a fixable issue or room for improvement on your ISP's end. Bandwidth vs. latency FAQ What is bandwidth? Bandwidth is the amount of data you can transfer in a given time, often expressed as Mbps or Gbps. It's like the lanes on a highway. The higher your bandwidth, the more lanes you have. So, a slow DSL plan would be like sending data along a dirt road, while a fast fiber plan would be like sending data along a superhighway. What is more important, bandwidth or latency? It depends. Both can be important. If you're creeping along with an outdated 3Mbps DSL connection, you'll notice the lack of bandwidth. Likewise, if you have a packed house full of gamers and 4K video streamers, you might want to look to a higher bandwidth plan. Low latency can matter more than having tremendous bandwidth for a more responsive (faster-feeling) internet experience. In an ideal world, you'll have both low latency and enough bandwidth to meet your online needs. Look for latency to take on a bigger role in home internet as artificial intelligence becomes more integrated into the online experience. 'As we get closer to AI becoming a part of our daily lives, low latency will be critical to have really seamless interactions, whether it's a text chatbot or you're having a verbal conversation with an AI bot -- milliseconds will impact how natural those experiences feel,' says Conlow.
CNET
15-06-2025
- CNET
Yes, Your Internet Provider Can Throttle Your Speeds. Here's How to Make It Stop
Slow internet can disrupt your workday, your gaming and even your doctor's appointments. Maybe you've noticed a dip in your upload and download speeds. While there are many reasons for a lagging Wi-Fi connection -- and some quick fixes you can try -- there's also a real possibility that your slow speeds are out of your control. Although technically illegal, your ISP could be intentionally throttling your internet connection. TL;DR: If you suspect this is happening to you, get a good VPN. Determine if your ISP is actually throttling your speeds Before we discuss internet throttling and how to stop it, review this checklist of other factors that may be contributing to your slow speeds. Start with these quick fixes: If that doesn't work, consider: Locating local internet providers If your equipment is already in top shape and your Wi-Fi setup is optimized, the next best solution may be upgrading to a faster speed tier, depending on how many heavy internet users are in the house. But if you've already run down the list of solutions and nothing is working, then the issue might be something your internet service provider is intentionally doing: bandwidth throttling. Wait, isn't internet throttling illegal? While technically considered an illegal practice, your ISP can still find ways to throttle your internet connection. The FCC's ruling on net neutrality was thrown out in the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals, along with other rules about regulating the internet as a utility. That means, in some states, the practice might still technically be illegal. That said, ISPs can still get around that legal ruling pretty easily. For instance, throttling is technically still allowed if your internet plan has a data cap or your ISP's network is overloaded. Additionally, if your ISP gives notice about slowing your internet speeds, it can legally do so. A proven way to avoid internet throttling is to use a virtual private network. Providers need to see your IP address to slow down your internet and a good VPN shields that identity. This comes with some limitations and downsides, which we'll discuss below. Quick tips to help speed up your Wi-Fi at home Quick tips to help speed up your Wi-Fi at home Click to unmute Video Player is loading. Play Video Pause Skip Backward Skip Forward Next playlist item Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration 0:15 Loaded : 100.00% 0:00 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:15 Share Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Close Modal Dialog This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button. Close Modal Dialog This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button. Quick tips to help speed up your Wi-Fi at home Troubleshoot your slow internet connection So your Wi-Fi is slow, and you think your service provider is throttling your connection. Let's troubleshoot your internet connection first to absolutely rule out other possibilities: Restart your router, check that the router is centrally located in your home, reposition its antennas and double-check your network security. If your laggy internet is caused by your router being too weak to reach a particular room, you can spend as little as $15 on a Wi-Fi extender or invest in a high-functioning mesh network, which we recommend if you're trying to optimize coverage to the whole house. If you've run through the laundry list and your Wi-Fi is still chugging slowly, move on to the next step. CNET/Viva Tung Find a reliable VPN If you've researched your internet health and are still stumped, the next step is to start researching VPNs. CNET's top pick for the best VPN on the market is ExpressVPN due to its excellent privacy transparency, usability and consistent fast speeds. If your internet provider is actually throttling your internet speeds, a VPN is one of the only ways to get around it. While your ISP can still throttle VPN traffic, the VPN will encrypt that traffic using different protocols. You may have to try out different VPNs to find one that works effectively. There are many reasons to get a VPN and just as many factors to consider when settling for one, like security, price and server locations. Keep in mind that using a VPN will still slightly slow your speeds, but you may experience less congestion and slowdown overall while using one. Compare your speed with the VPN Next, test your internet speed again using a service like or Compare the results with the same test when your VPN is active. Using any VPN will slow your speed considerably, so the speed tests should show a discrepancy, with the VPN-active speed being notably slower than the VPN-inactive speed. But a VPN also hides the IP address that providers use to identify you so if your speed test with the VPN is faster than without the VPN, that may mean your ISP is targeting your IP address for throttling. Fix your internet OK, this is the hard part because knowing where to start could be tricky. Even if you find out your provider is throttling your internet, there may not be much you can do. Many people in the US live in regions with ISP monopolies or duopolies, making finding a better provider difficult. But here are a few hopefully useful suggestions: If you do have options, consider switching to a better provider in your area. Not only will you potentially put speed throttling to rest but you may end up with faster speeds and a better deal. Check out our top picks for ISPs and high-speed ISPs in 2025. Use your VPN to maintain more consistent speeds. A VPN can't solve a bad connection or other reasons behind your slow service but it can mitigate throttling from unscrupulous ISPs. Call your provider and threaten to switch providers if they don't stop throttling your internet. This might seem old-fashioned and doesn't guarantee lasting results but some providers have responded positively to such tactics and you may be able to negotiate your way out of the throttling. What's the bottom line on internet throttling? It's never a complete guarantee that your ISP won't throttle your speeds down the line. If you've exhausted all the ways to improve your speeds and are still not noticing a significant change, we recommend switching to a different ISP available in your area. To learn more, check out our guide on the best internet providers near you. Bandwidth throttling FAQs What is bandwidth throttling and is it legal? If you're noticing a long buffering time when trying to stream your favorite television show, you might be experiencing bandwidth throttling. This happens when your ISP purposely slows down your internet speeds by controlling your bandwidth. The FCC's ruling on net neutrality was thrown out in the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals recently, along with other rules about regulating the internet as a utility. That means that although in some states, the practice might still technically be illegal, it is legal in other states. Plus, ISPs can easily get around that legal ruling. For instance, throttling is technically still allowed if your internet plan has a data cap or your ISP's network is overloaded. Additionally, if your ISP gives prior notice about slowing your internet speeds, they can legally do so. Why do ISPs throttle bandwidth? There's no exact answer to why ISPs limit some people's connections and not others. If a network is congested and you're using a lot of internet bandwidth, your provider might slow down your service to encourage you to pay for more data. Or, if you have a data cap and notice a laggy connection, your ISP might be limiting your service when you're near the end of the cap. DSL, cable and fixed wireless connections are more susceptible to network congestion. If available, we recommend going with a fiber connection. Read our top picks for the best fiber internet providers of 2025. In addition, check out our list of the best providers with no data caps. How can I check if my ISP is throttling my bandwidth? If you've checked your internet speed through an Ethernet connection and your results haven't improved, you might want to check if your provider is to blame. A simple connection speed test, like the one through Ookla or M-Lab, can show if your ISP is providing consistent performance no matter the content you're accessing.
