Can a VPN Reduce Speed Throttling?

For the past several years, internet usage has increased significantly around the world. As a result, many Internet service providers (ISPs) have been forced to manage the volume of data traveling through their networks by implementing speed throttling. Speed throttling, which is the intentional slowing down of Internet speeds during certain times of the day or for certain types of online activity, can be frustrating for users who require fast and reliable internet connections. However, by using a Virtual Private Network (VPN), you can easily reduce speed throttling on your Wi-Fi network with just one click. Today, we’ll explore the question: “Can a VPN reduce speed throttling?”

What is a VPN?

Before you learn more about the impact of speed throttling, it’s important to understand what a VPN is and what it does. VPNs, or virtual private networks, create a secure connection on Internet-ready devices that encrypts any data traveling between you and the internet. Due to the encryption that a VPN provides, your data is safe from being intercepted or stolen by cyber criminals or your ISP. Connecting to a VPN server hides your IP address, which protects your online activity and makes it anonymous.

Using a VPN on your computer, phone, tablet, or smart TV is a reliable way to ensure that your personal information is safe from prying eyes. It can protect your browsing history and downloads, as well as any data attached to your IP address. It can even help you navigate geo-restrictions, depending on your location. Ultimately, utilizing a VPN on your device is a popular and effective way to protect your private data. 

What is Speed Throttling and How Does It Work?

Now that you know a little bit more about the power of VPNs, let’s discuss speed throttling and how it impacts your online experience.

Speed throttling is the practice of strategically reducing Internet traffic speeds for specific online activities or during certain times of the day. As an example, ISPs can slow down Internet speeds for customers who stream videos or download large files. They can even reduce Internet speeds during peak hours of the day when more people are using the Internet. 

Ultimately, ISPs practice speed throttling to manage network congestion and ensure that their network isn’t bogged down by traffic. By slowing down Internet speeds, ISPs can ensure that everyone on the network has equal access to the available bandwidth. However, this can be frustrating for users who rely on fast Internet access.

Can a VPN Reduce Speed Throttling?

You already know that using a VPN can help protect your data and give you access to more global content, but can a VPN reduce speed throttling from your ISP? Let’s take a look at the different ways in which a virtual private network gives you the power to navigate speed throttling from your Internet service provider.

Encryption

When you connect to a VPN, data traveling from your device to the Internet (and vice versa) is encrypted. This secure encryption makes it difficult for ISPs to correctly identify the variety of activity you are engaged in online. This means that, if you were streaming videos or downloading files, your ISP would not be able to detect this, and they would not be able to reduce your Internet speeds. 

IP Address

Using a VPN will mask your IP address and protect any associated information from being identified. This means that your ISP can’t identify your activity, or your location, based on your IP address. This is one of the main reasons why using a VPN can help you avoid speed throttling.

Traffic Shaping

In many cases, ISPs use a technique called “traffic shaping” to handle massive amounts of network congestion, which can happen when there are too many people sharing a Wi-Fi connection or when users on a network are engaging in activities that require more bandwidth. 

Traffic shaping is the practice of prioritizing specific types of online traffic over others. As an example, an ISP may give priority to a user who is Internet browsing over one who is streaming a video in order to give equal network access to everyone with the bandwidth that is available. However, using a VPN can help you bypass traffic shaping by encrypting your activity so that ISPs cannot identify your online activity.

Avoid Speed Throttling with PrivadoVPN

Speed throttling from ISPs is a frustrating issue, one that can significantly reduce the quality of your online experience and even compromise your Internet privacy. Luckily, with the help of a secure and dependable VPN like PrivadoVPN, you can easily navigate speed throttling, secure your Internet activity, and enjoy faster, smoother connections. 

With PrivadoVPN, you can browse and access content from almost anywhere in the world without any restrictions. PrivadoVPN gives you peace of mind and helps you know that your online privacy and security are safe. To learn more about the incredible privacy features that PrivadoVPN has, including ad blocker and threat detection, sign up today and get started.