How can I tell if AT&T is throttling my data?
As the wireless customer’s unlimited data plans are increasing in demand, the customers are curious whether their carrier is deliberately slowing down their internet speeds once a specific amount of monthly data is consumed. This is a major problem of which many are aware and mainly affects AT&T Internet Unlimited clients. Here are some clues that might let you know that AT&T has slowed down your data and what you can do to confirm it.
Search the bill for any data throttling notification. Companies like AT&T are obliged to notify their clients when the specified data speeds will be limited by your usage during that particular billing cycle. To begin with, the first thing that one should do is to look at the most recent one to two monthly bills to see whether there are any throttle-related notifications. These normally claim that your speeds were throttled for a given number of days in the previous calendar month.
Check your data speed with the use of speed test apps. It is widely recommended that one checks how data speeds look at certain times of the month, especially if the speeds dip after the use of over 22GB, chances are that AT&T is throttling speeds. Perform occasional speed checks of your browser with applications such as Speedtest by Ookla or Fast to measure loss of speed. When the tests come below 5-10Mbps often, it could be a sign of throttling. Also, consider the latency rates as well, it is very important.
Share your stories with people who use AT&T. Talk to relatives, friends, or other employees who are also using AT&T in the same region and inquire whether they also experience the said reduced connection speed once exceeding the 22GB monthly limit. Indeed, every time AT&T implements throttling on its loyal customers, rest assured that another client is also facing a slower connection.
Find out whether or not you are eligible for an upgrade on the AT&T plans. Even some of AT&T’s newer unlimited plans, such as Unlimited Elite, make it clear that while data speeds will not be slowed to extremely low levels, other limitations and restrictions will apply. Therefore, if you do believe that you are experiencing throttling, consider whether or not you are provided with the opportunity to switch to a different plan to restore faster data throughput beyond the 22GB threshold.
This involves contacting AT&T and discussing the issue of throttling policies. If you are still unsure as to whether you are dealing with real throttling, you can call AT&T customer support and clarify the matter on your own. Describe and ask them if they can affirm such policies as restricted data speeds in your region or a different communication plan after exceeding the 22GB data limit.
Switch off Stream Saver. Here is an AT&T feature that restricts the streams to HD at 480p only, which may create a likelihood that your general internet speeds are slowed down. It could be due to the Stream Saver feature of the app – turn it off for a while to eliminate this as a cause.
We need to study the usage of data more and more. If any of the above plans appeals to you, then utilize the online account tools to monitor your monthly data usage amounts. If you notice speeds reduce quickly, up to as soon as 22GB in a billing cycle is reached, throttling may be the cause.
Run throttling detection apps. Some applications such as Wehe, particularly attempt to identify data throttling by studying Internet speeds. Perform these tests during what you believe could be throttling times to test whether or not your ISP is indeed throttling your connection.
Consider switching wireless carriers. If AT&T is still throttling data speeds for its users to such incredibly slow rates as indicated in this publication, you may have to switch to another service provider that does not throttle or throttle After performing these throttling tests on friends’ devices using other networks such as T-Mobile or Verizon.
The FCC has provisions for consumers to report cases of throttling by internet service providers. To report any misdemeanors, the FCC permits internet service customers to pursue informal complaints regarding any perceived throttling. Consult more on the matters of slow speeds and their effects on apps, streaming, and other wireless activities before complaining.
Inquire to AT&T on available promotions of genuinely unlimited data without throttling. For instance, newer plans such as the Unlimited Your Way Premium do not reduce the data speeds after attaining a particular amount of usage in a particular month. If you download more than 22GB of data frequently, promoting yourself to an always-on plan that enables you to sustain high speeds could help you escape throttling.
It would also be wise to minimize the data consumption to avoid reaching certain throttling thresholds. To avoid the Stream Saver feature reducing your speed, turning it off, restricting yourself from downloading large application/system updates, and streaming only when connected to a Wi-Fi network will ensure the monthly usage stays below 22GB. But this comes with the need to monitor the data keenly.
Consider the idea of changing your Internet provider to AT&T Fiber Internet. Currently, AT&T offers fiber home Internet service without a data usage cap or the option of slowing down upon reaching the limit. If AT&T fiber is offered in your location, it may save you from throttling but will require you to apply for a new Internet service.
Altogether it is inarguable that data usage monitoring, speed testing documentation as well as plan and carrier comparisons indeed provide you with the most reliable method to identify and substantiate data throttling conducted by wireless providers such as AT&T. If throttling is significantly interfering with the usage of cellular data, it may be helpful to consider changing plans offering less throttling or even no throttling at all.
Upgrade to faster, more reliable AT&T Fiber Internet today! Call us at +1 844-905-5002 and get connected with speeds that keep you ahead.