As one of the most popular cell phone providers in the United States, Verizon attracts millions of new and returning customers every year. But sometimes, it seems like Verizon’s cell phone plans are almost too good to be true.
If you have Verizon or are thinking about switching to Verizon, you may want to know details, including does Verizon throttle data? It’s important to know, especially if you have a low-data phone plan. Well, look no further because I’ve researched everything there is to know about the topic!
Does Verizon Throttle Data In 2024?
For several years, Verizon has throttled data, and it’s been a significant complaint from customers as of 2024. Verizon throttles data often once your monthly data has reached 22GB, whether you have a Verizon Unlimited plan or a regular data plan. Not only that, but Verizon will throttle your mobile hotspot as well.
Do you have more questions about Verizon and what the company throttles, as well as if there’s any way you can stop the throttling? Read below to learn the details!
Does Verizon Really Slow Down Your Data?
Verizon does slow down your data and is infamous for throttling users. Because of this, thousands of customers have complained about this over the years online.
On top of that, Verizon was even accused of throttling firefighters in California during a wildfire.
Does Verizon Throttle Data On Unlimited Plans?
Yes, Verizon does throttle data on the Verizon Unlimited Plans regardless of which unlimited plan you have. However, the cheapest Verizon Unlimited Plan is throttled the most.
Additionally, Verizon admits it throttles your data once you’ve reached 22GB on any of your lines by putting you in a queue behind other Verizon customers.
Does Verizon Prepaid Throttle Data?
According to user reviews online, Verizon is still throttling prepaid cell phone plans, including the double data prepaid plans.
On top of that, Verizon is bad about throttling the prepaid cell phone plans around the holidays, and it doesn’t look like that’s going to change anytime soon.
Does Verizon Throttle Mobile Hotspots?
Yes, Verizon will throttle your mobile hotspot down to 600 Kbps, just as it does regular data the closer you get to 22GB for that month.
Once you’ve reached the 22GB limit, you’ll notice a definite decrease in speed, especially if you enjoy watching movies or streaming YouTube or Netflix.
However, if you’re just connecting to send emails or texts, you won’t notice the throttling quite as much. So, it’s best to limit what you do while on your hotspot when you’ve reached 22GB.
How Can I Tell If Verizon Is Throttling My Data?
The best way to tell if Verizon is throttling your data is to simply run a speed test on your PC or mobile device.
For example, if you’re using a PC, you can visit websites such as SpeedTest.net.
On the other hand, if you’re on a mobile device, download a speed test app on either iOS or Android called Ookla’s Speed Test.
What’s The Best Way To Run A Speed Test?
The trick is to run the speed test at the beginning of your billing cycle when your data cap resets, even if you have unlimited, giving you a baseline of your speeds.
Then, write down the download speeds of several different sites or programs, and keep this piece of paper handy.
In addition to that, you want to repeat the speed test later on in the month when you’ve used significantly more data, such as a week before the billing cycle ends.
So, if the speeds are different later in the month than they were initially, then you know that Verizon has throttled your data!
Also, it’s easy to know if you’re being throttled by just browsing websites or visiting streaming websites such as YouTube.
Even without doing a speed test, you’ll notice that the content takes longer than usual to load.
How Do I Bypass Verizon Throttling?
The easiest way to bypass Verizon throttling is to use a VPN, which will work on your computer, mobile phone, tablet, or other electronic devices.
Before I get into bypassing anymore, it’s essential to know what throttling is to understand how to bypass Verizon throttling.
With that, throttling occurs through port numbers, and the data packets are sent through those specific port numbers. So, Verizon then throttles your connection based on those port numbers.
When you use a VPN, data packets are sent through different ports. Therefore companies like Verizon cannot access those ports and throttle your Internet.
Is A Free VPN As Good As A Premium VPN?
If you’re thinking about using a VPN to bypass Verizon throttling, you should know that you can use a free VPN or choose to pay for a VPN.
Additionally, a free VPN often comes with advertisements, has slower connection speeds, and might restrict the locations you can change your IP address to or sell your data.
A paid VPN offers more security, often comes with unlimited IP addresses and locations, offers quicker data connections, and is generally more reliable.
However, there are positives and negatives regarding both free and premium VPN services, so you’ll have to research which company is best suited for your needs and devices.
To learn more, you can also see our posts on Verizon credit check, does Verizon unlocks phones, and what is Verizon Up.
Conclusion
Verizon is infamous for throttling customers regardless of whether they have an unlimited plan, regular data plan, or if they’re on a prepaid plan.
Furthermore, Verizon has admitted it throttles users when they reach 22GB of data and will throttle your mobile hotspot, too.
Whether free or a paid premium version, using a VPN is the best and easiest way to get around the Verizon throttling, which you can use on mobile devices, tablets, and computers.
