Does CenturyLink Throttling Connection?

A fast and dependable internet connection is essential in today’s technology-driven society. We rely heavily on our ISPs to provide reliable and constant connectivity so that we can watch our favorite shows, do our jobs from home, and play our favorite games online. However, ISP throttling, or the deliberate slowing down of internet speeds, is a topic of growing consumer interest and frustration. CenturyLink, a significant player in the telecommunications industry, is one such provider that has been investigated. In this article, we want to explain what throttling is, look for signs that CenturyLink is engaging in it, and show how it might affect you. Let’s dive in and discover what’s going on with CenturyLink’s internet service plans.

What is CenturyLink Throttling?- Past Incidents

CenturyLink, one of the largest telecommunications companies in the United States, has faced allegations of throttling internet connections. Throttling, in simple terms, refers to an ISP’s intentional slowing down of internet speeds. It is often done to manage network congestion or control data usage. While ISPs argue that throttling is necessary to maintain a stable network, critics claim it hampers user experience and violates net neutrality principles.

Several incidents and reports suggest that CenturyLink may have engaged in throttling practices in recent years. One notable incident occurred in 2017 when users complained of degraded internet speeds while accessing popular streaming services like Netflix and YouTube. Customers reported significant drops in video quality and buffering issues, leading to suspicions of intentional throttling.

Another controversial incident involved the Washington State Attorney General’s lawsuit against CenturyLink in 2019. The lawsuit alleged that CenturyLink used deceptive practices by not disclosing specific fees and throttling internet speeds for customers who exceeded their data caps. These allegations further fueled concerns about CenturyLink’s transparency and potential throttling practices.

While these incidents point to the possibility of CenturyLink throttling connections, it’s important to note that the company has denied engaging in any intentional throttling. They argue that any fluctuations in internet speeds result from network congestion and technical issues.

Why is CenturyLink So Slow?

CenturyLink users may have slow internet speeds because of several things. Let’s look at how each of these things makes a difference:

1. Net neutrality: The idea of net neutrality is that all internet traffic should be treated the same, and ISPs shouldn’t favor or ignore certain types of traffic. But the repeal of net neutrality rules in 2017 has made people worry that ISPs like CenturyLink may do things that give certain types of internet traffic more priority or slow down other types. If CenturyLink did unfairly biased things, it could slow down specific services or websites, which would hurt the user experience.
2. Network congestion: This happens when a lot of data is being sent through the network infrastructure, which slows things down and makes them take longer to do. Like any other ISP, CenturyLink runs a complicated network that serves many customers at the same time. When there are a lot of people using the network, like in the evenings or on weekends, speeds can slow down for users. Congestion problems can be made worse by things like old infrastructure or not enough network capacity.
3. Data Cap: Like other ISPs, CenturyLink may limit the amount of data you can use with their plans. A data cap is a limit on how much data a user can use in a given billing period. If a user goes over their data limit, CenturyLink may slow them down as a way to control how much the network is being used. This can slow down internet speeds a lot and be frustrating for people who rely on activities that use a lot of data, like streaming or online gaming.

Bandwidth Plans: CenturyLink has different bandwidth plans to meet the needs of different customers. Plans at the lower end of the price range may have slower speeds, which can slow down internet connections. If a user has signed up for a plan that doesn’t give them enough bandwidth for their needs, they may see slower speeds because of the plan’s limitations.

It’s important to remember that slow speeds can be caused by things like location, the quality of the infrastructure, and how each network is set up. CenturyLink customers can fix slow internet speeds by upgrading to plans with more bandwidth, calling customer service to fix any technical problems, or looking into other ISPs if they are available in their area.

How to tell if CenturyLink is Throttling your connections?

If you think your CenturyLink internet connection is being throttled, you can look into it and gather evidence in a number of ways. Even if these methods don’t prove for sure that your connection is being slowed down, they can tell you a lot about how your connection works. Here are some ways to tell if CenturyLink is slowing down your Internet connection:

1. Speed Test: You can find out how fast your internet is by using trusted tools like Ookla’s Speedtest to test your speed regularly. If you always get speeds that are much slower than what you’re paying for, this could be a sign that you’re being throttled. Compare the results to the speeds you were told you would get in your plan to see if there are any differences.
2. Internet Health Test: Internet health tests like the M-Lab Network Diagnostic Tool or Fast.com can tell you more about the quality of your connection. Among the things that these tests measure are latency and packet loss. If you notice that your latency is unusually high or that you lose packets often, it could be because of throttling or network congestion.
3. Port Testing: When throttling, certain types of internet traffic, like video streaming or peer-to-peer file sharing, are often the ones that are affected. By testing the ports, you can find out if CenturyLink is blocking or limiting specific ports used for these activities. Tools like the Port Checker can help you test certain ports to see if your ISP is slowing or blocking them.

Even though these methods can give you clues about possible throttling, you should also think about things like network congestion or technical problems that could affect your connection. Also, many things can cause false positives or negatives, so it’s best to collect a lot of data and compare it over time to find patterns.

If you think CenturyLink is throttling your connection, you should contact CenturyLink’s customer service to explain your concerns and get more information. They can give you advice or fix any problems with your connection.

Sign of CenturyLink Throttling

While throttling is common, detecting it may be hard unless you know what to look out for. If you notice some of the following signs, it is possible that you are facing throttling:

1. Persistent Decrease in Speed: In the event that you observe a notable and consistent decline in your internet speeds relative to the subscribed bandwidth, it may indicate the potential throttling of your connection by CenturyLink.
2. Variations in Speeds at Different Times: If you encounter fluctuations in network speeds during specific time periods or particular online activities, such as streaming or engaging in file sharing, it may suggest implementing targeted bandwidth restrictions on specific types of internet traffic.
3. Streaming Quality Concerns: If you frequently experience buffering, pixelation, or diminished video quality during content streaming, it could indicate that CenturyLink is deliberately throttling your connection when accessing streaming services.
4. Potential Throttling: In the event of consistently sluggish speeds experienced on particular websites or services, targeted throttling measures may be in effect. This phenomenon becomes particularly apparent when users encounter decreased data transfer rates while accessing popular streaming platforms or engaging in file-sharing activities.
5. Unforeseen Speed Variations: In the event of an abrupt and substantial decline in internet speeds, devoid of any modifications to your subscription or network configuration, it is plausible to infer that CenturyLink may have enacted bandwidth throttling protocols.
6. Enhanced Speeds with VPN: In using a Virtual Private Network (VPN), you observe heightened speeds and circumventing any prior speed constraints suggest that CenturyLink is targeting traffic throttling.

Acknowledging that these indicators can also be ascribed to alternative variables, such as network congestion or technical anomalies, is imperative. To ascertain whether CenturyLink is implementing bandwidth throttling on your connection, collecting empirical data by conducting speed tests, analyzing long-term usage patterns, and potentially engaging with CenturyLink’s customer support for additional guidance and clarification is advisable.

Can a VPN help bypass CenturyLink Throttling?

Using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) can be a great way to get around CenturyLink or any other ISP that might slow down your internet connection. A VPN hides your online activities from your ISP by encrypting your internet traffic and sending it through a remote server. This encryption and rerouting can make it harder for CenturyLink to find and slow down certain kinds of internet traffic, which could be a way to get around their limits.

If you use a VPN, you can get faster speeds and a better online experience. CenturyLink might be unable to tell the difference between different kinds of internet activity if your traffic is encrypted. This makes it hard for them to slow down only certain services or websites. As a result, you might get faster and more consistent speeds when streaming, playing games, or doing other activities that use a lot of data.

A VPN can also help you get around other online restrictions that CenturyLink puts in place, like geolocation blocks or content censorship. By connecting to a VPN server in a different region or country, you can get to the content that may not be available or may not be accessible from where you are.

But it’s important to remember that even though a VPN can be an excellent way to get around throttling, its effectiveness can vary depending on many things. These include the VPN provider, where the servers are located, how busy the network is, and how CenturyLink limits speeds. Also, using a VPN may shorten the latency because of the extra encryption and routing steps.

A VPN can be an excellent way to avoid CenturyLink’s throttling and improve your overall internet experience. However, to get the best results, you should choose a reputable VPN provider, choose servers with good performance, and keep a close eye on your speeds.

Best VPN for CenturyLink Throttling

If you suspect that your CenturyLink connection is being throttled and are looking for ways to bypass such limitations, using a reliable VPN can be a game-changer. Here are eight of the best VPNs that have proven to be effective in combating CenturyLink throttling and enhancing your online experience.

1. Express VPN 

One of the best VPN services is ExpressVPN, which has powerful features for getting around CenturyLink throttling. ExpressVPN guarantees excellent speeds and coverage thanks to its extensive server network, which spans 160 locations in 94 countries. It offers improved privacy and security thanks to its robust encryption, no-logs policy, and built-in kill switch, and everyone can use it thanks to its user-friendly interface. 

2. NordVPN: 

Another excellent option for avoiding CenturyLink throttling is NordVPN. It boasts a vast server network with over 5,500 servers spread across 60 nations, offering high-speed connections and servers optimized for streaming and gaming. With double encryption and CyberSec malware protection, among other cutting-edge security features, NordVPN is a dependable choice for preserving online privacy and avoiding throttling.

3. Surfshark VPN: 

This provider is renowned for its low-cost and feature-rich services. Surfshark doesn’t skimp on performance despite its reasonable price. It offers steady speeds and unrestricted access to streaming platforms thanks to its 3,200 servers spread across 65 nations. The CleanWeb feature of Surfshark ensures a smooth browsing experience while avoiding CenturyLink’s throttling controls by blocking ads, trackers, and malware.

4. CyberGhost VPN: 

Combining an extensive server network with user-friendly applications, CyberGhost VPN has over 7,300 servers spread across 91 countries. By providing specialized servers for streaming and torrenting, it allows users to watch their preferred content without being throttled by CenturyLink. CyberGhost’s strict no-logs policy and robust encryption protocols add an extra layer of security for users who care about privacy.

5. VyprVPN: 

VyprVPN provides the Chameleon protocol, a proprietary technology that gets around VPN blocking and deep packet inspection. This makes it an excellent option for getting around CenturyLink’s throttling policies. With over 700 servers spread across 70 different locations and self-owned server infrastructure, VyprVPN guarantees reliable connections and enhanced privacy features like NAT Firewall and DNS protection.

6. Private Internet Access (PIA) VPN: 

Due to its extensive server network, which spans 35 countries and includes more than 30,000 servers, PIA VPN is a well-liked option for getting around CenturyLink throttling. PIA VPN is a dependable choice for avoiding throttling and accessing blocked content because of its quick speeds, robust encryption protocols, and capacity to get around geolocation restrictions.

7. PureVPN: 

PureVPN has a wide range of features and a server network that spans 180 locations across 140 nations. Users can selectively route traffic through the VPN using its split tunneling feature, allowing them to avoid throttling for particular applications or websites while maintaining regular connections for others.

8. PrivateVPN: 

Although it has fewer servers overall, PrivateVPN provides dependable and quick connections to get around CenturyLink throttling. Its 63-country server network prioritizes user privacy and has a strict no-logs policy. Because of its user-friendly software, PrivateVPN is a viable option for people looking to improve their online experience.

Considerations should be made for server coverage, speed, security features, and user-friendly user interfaces when selecting the best VPN for CenturyLink throttling. These VPNs are trusted options for getting around throttling and improving your overall internet experience because they are renowned for being the best in these fields.

Can I use a proxy to bypass CenturyLink Throttling?

Proxy sites can get around CenturyLink’s throttling, but they have pros and cons. Proxy servers act as middlemen between your device and the internet. This lets you route your traffic through a different IP address. This could help get around the measures that CenturyLink uses to slow down connections. Proxy servers have benefits like being easy to set up and letting you access content unavailable in your country. But they can’t do everything. Most proxies don’t offer the same level of encryption and security as VPNs, which makes it easier for your data to be stolen. Also, proxies might not be able to get around certain types of traffic or protocol-specific throttling fully. 

Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), on the other hand, offer a more complete and secure solution. VPNs encrypt your internet connection, ensuring no one can listen in on your online activities. They also hide your IP address, which makes it harder for CenturyLink to figure out who you are and slow down your connection. VPNs offer more server options, faster speeds, and more reliable performance. They can get around more advanced ways of slowing down, like deep packet inspection (DPI). VPNs also have extra features like blocking ads, protecting against malware, and accessing content only available in certain regions. Because VPNs are more secure and have more features, they are usually better than proxies for getting around CenturyLink’s throttling and ensuring you can use the internet safely and without limits.

How to bypass CenturyLink Throttling during torrenting?

There are a few methods you can use to get around CenturyLink’s torrent-specific throttling in order to enhance your connection and overall download speeds:

Use a VPN: 

One of the best ways to get around CenturyLink’s throttling during torrenting is to use a reliable VPN (Virtual Private Network). A VPN hides your online activities from your ISP by encrypting your internet traffic and routing it through a secure server. This makes it much more challenging for CenturyLink to identify and restrict your torrenting traffic. Pick a VPN service with quick download and upload times, a strict no-logs policy, and servers prepared for torrenting.

Pick Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Friendly Servers: 

If you decide to use a VPN, make sure the service has dedicated servers that are optimized for P2P file sharing. These servers are built to deliver faster speeds and handle the substantial bandwidth requirements imposed by torrenting. By connecting to these servers, CenturyLink’s throttling restrictions may be avoided.

Modify the Settings in Your Torrent Client: 

You can modify the settings in your torrent client to enhance download speeds. Enable protocols like Peer Exchange and DHT (Distributed Hash Table), which let you connect to a larger peer network. In addition, take into account modifying the maximum number of connections and upload/download speeds based on the capabilities of your internet connection.

Plan Downloads for Off-Peak Times: 

CenturyLink’s network may become congested during periods of high usage. Try scheduling your torrent downloads for off-peak times, such as late at night or early in the morning, to lessen the impact of throttling. This may ensure a more streamlined and unrestricted experience.

While these strategies can help bypass CenturyLink’s throttling during torrenting, it’s crucial to emphasize that engaging in torrenting should always be done within the bounds of legal and copyright regulations. Additionally, keep in mind that network conditions and the specifics of your internet plan can still impact your torrenting speeds.

How to bypass CenturyLink Throttling during Netflix streaming?

If you want to bypass CenturyLink throttling specifically for Netflix streaming, there are a few steps you can take to help improve your streaming experience:

Use a VPN: 

Utilizing a reliable VPN (Virtual Private Network) can assist in getting around CenturyLink’s throttling when streaming Netflix. Your internet traffic is encrypted and routed through a different IP address when you connect to a VPN server, making it more challenging for CenturyLink to identify and restrict your streaming activities. Pick a VPN service with streaming-friendly servers that are quick and dependable.

Connect to a Server in a Different Location: 

Some ISPs, including CenturyLink, may prioritize or throttle specific streaming services. By connecting to a VPN server in a different location, you can potentially bypass these restrictions and enjoy faster streaming speeds. Choose a server location that is closer to Netflix’s content delivery network (CDN) servers to reduce latency.

Optimize Your Streaming Quality: 

Adjusting the streaming quality settings on Netflix can help improve your streaming experience, especially if you’re experiencing throttling. In your Netflix account settings, select the “Playback Settings” and choose a lower quality option (e.g., Standard Definition) to reduce bandwidth usage. While this may sacrifice video resolution, it can help mitigate buffering issues caused by throttling.

Monitor Your Internet Speed: 

Use online speed testing tools to monitor your internet speed while streaming Netflix. If you consistently experience significantly slower speeds than what you are paying for, it could be an indication of throttling. Take note of the results and compare them with your subscribed internet plan to gather evidence of potential throttling.

Contact CenturyLink Customer Support: 

It might be worthwhile contacting CenturyLink customer service for clarification if you believe that the company is restricting your ability to stream Netflix. Ask about any network congestion or throttling policies in your area and describe the problems you’re having. They might offer advice or suggestions to help you increase the speed of your streaming.

Remember that while these methods can help bypass CenturyLink’s throttling during Netflix streaming, there can be other factors that affect your streaming experience, such as your internet plan, device capabilities, and overall network congestion. It’s essential to choose a reputable VPN provider, closely monitor your streaming speeds, and consider alternative ISPs if available in your area.

Final Words 

CenturyLink’s practices of throttling can affect your internet connection and your online experience as a whole. Slower speeds, problems with buffering, and less access to some services or websites can be caused by throttling. CenturyLink may use throttling to deal with network congestion or enforce their policies, but it can be annoying for users who want the internet to work the same way every time. There are, however, ways to get around CenturyLink’s throttling. For example, you can use a VPN to encrypt and reroute your traffic, change your settings for certain activities like torrenting or streaming, or ask customer service for help. But it’s important to remember that these methods may or may not work, and it’s important to follow legal and moral rules when trying to get around throttling measures. In the end, knowing your rights as a consumer and looking into other Internet service providers in your area can help you have a better and more open time online.

How do I know if CenturyLink is throttling me?

You can monitor for signs of CenturyLink throttling by checking for consistent slower speeds, experiencing limited speeds on specific websites or services, or observing unexpected changes in your connection without any other explanation. Conducting speed tests, monitoring network patterns, and reaching out to CenturyLink customer support can also help in determining if throttling is occurring.

Does CenturyLink limit bandwidth?

CenturyLink does implement bandwidth limitations for certain internet plans, which may result in reduced speeds or data usage restrictions.

How can I tell if my internet is being throttled?

You can tell if your internet is being throttled by conducting speed tests to compare your actual speeds with your subscribed plan, observing consistent slower speeds during specific times or activities, and noticing limited speeds on certain websites or services.

Why is my CenturyLink internet so slow all of a sudden?

There could be various reasons why your CenturyLink internet is suddenly slow, including network congestion, technical issues, equipment problems, or potential throttling measures imposed by the ISP. Contacting CenturyLink customer support or troubleshooting your network setup can help identify and resolve the issue.