Speed limitations on Comcast connections
Speed limitations on Comcast connections
Hi, I've been handling numerous big downloads and uploads on my home network. These seem sluggish, so I ran a speed test and it reflected the rates I pay for while the test was running. Recently, I started using my PIA VPN more often and wow... I'm experiencing the actual speeds? That's unbelievable! Has anyone else faced this issue with Comcast or any other ISP? They've likely improved their detection of speed tests, but it's still frustrating—it drops my connection from several Mbps to just a few Kbps. By the way, I usually connect via a wired link. Edited May 8, 2019 by gutz00 Clarity
Comcast and a few other internet providers on the East Coast enjoy slowing down traffic. I haven’t faced this issue with Spectrum in Southern California. Without net neutrality, there aren’t many options left.
It seems the distinction lies in megabits versus megabytes. Your download rate should be roughly one-eighth of what you expect. An ISP offering 100 Mbps (megabits per second) will transfer files at about 12.5 Mb/s.
Despite using a VPN, I still experience speed limits. This could be due to my location in an older part of town where underground infrastructure is common and upgrades aren’t prioritized. Being tied to one ISP makes things even worse, and you might also face throttling if you exceed data usage thresholds within a billing cycle. Using a VPN can mask your real location, making it seem like you’re in a different area and potentially restoring normal speeds (though I’m not sure if that’s accurate).
You're observing a speed of roughly 12 kilobits per second without your VPN, which increases to around 25-30 megabits per second when using it.
This aligns with your idea of processing a specific volume of data during each billing cycle. Once the following cycle ends or two have passed, it should return to standard performance levels. (This is just my interpretation; your ISP's fine print may differ.)
Comcast adds extra charges when you go over 1TB in a billing cycle. A VPN secures your internet traffic so they can track usage but can’t pinpoint specific data, meaning they either limit all traffic or none at all.
Comcast adjusts bandwidth based on usage patterns. They faced enforcement from the FCC, which influenced the implementation of net neutrality rules. Netflix had to pay fees when using torrent traffic through their network. This means throttling happens selectively depending on the type of data you send. Their strict policies can affect speeds, especially near the 1 TB limit. Paying extra for unlimited data is common once you exceed the cap, with additional charges after certain thresholds.