How to bypass T-Mobile throttling with a VPN

T-Mobile throttling is frustrating, but it can be easily resolved by using a Virtual Private Network (VPN). Here’s everything you need to know to get started. 

Throttling is a term used to describe when your Internet Service Provider (ISP) slows your connection on purpose. T-Mobile is one of many ISPs known to throttle bandwidth, and there are a variety of reasons why it may decide to slow down a user’s connection speeds. An ISP may throttle bandwidth for numerous reasons:

• The network may be congested, with too many users and not enough bandwidth to meet increased demand. As such, individual users may see their speeds throttled.
• Your ISP may prioritize some sites and services over others. Companies have been known to pay for ISP prioritization, ensuring faster speeds for their services. This can conversely lead to a slowdown for any services that aren’t paying extra. 
• In an effort to discourage the use of torrents or illegal streaming, an ISP might throttle bandwidth for these activities. 
• Even with an ‘unlimited’ plan, T-Mobile will slow speeds if you’re using large amounts of bandwidth per month. T-Mobile says mobile customers that have used more than 50GB of data in a single billing period are “heavy data users,” and are a lower priority compared to everyone else. 
• If you’re using a tethered connection, T-Mobile prioritizes on-device traffic. 

VPNs work to encrypt all data sent to and from your device, routing it through a different server in a location of your choice. This encryption ensures that T-Mobile (and other ISPs) won’t be able to see what you’re up to at any given time. A VPN will also mask the websites and services you use from your ISP. 

How to prevent T-Mobile from bandwidth throttling

It’s easy to set up and use a VPN to bypass T-Mobile throttling. We’ll take you through the process to get started below. 

Here’s how to bypass T-Mobile bandwidth throttling:

1. Select a VPN, and sign up with the service. Proton VPN are three of the best picks to avoid bandwidth throttling, offering a blend of fast speeds and solid security. 
2. Download and install the VPN app for the device you want to use.  
3. Open the app, and select a server location.  
4. Wait to be connected to the server. You’ll now be able to bypass bandwidth throttling and slower speeds. 

For the best results, servers that are located nearby tend to provide faster connection speeds. 

Will a VPN prevent T-Mobile bandwidth throttling?

It’s fair to say that a VPN can’t always stop bandwidth throttling, but it has proven to be helpful for numerous users. If in doubt, opt for a VPN like NordVPN that comes with a money-back guarantee, so you’ll be able to get an easy refund if it doesn’t work for you. 

A VPN can help if T-Mobile is slowing speeds specifically for torrenting or streaming, or if it discriminates against specific types or sources of data. However, a VPN won’t help if you’ve already reached your data cap, in which case all data is throttled. Your data is still being sent via T-Mobile’s network, so there’s no way to hide usage. 

T-Mobile has admitted to slowing speeds, even if the user has paid for an unlimited data plan. Here’s what T-Mobile has to say about throttling:

“To provide the best possible experience for the most possible customers on their T-Mobile-branded plans, we implement network management practices on a content-agnostic basis, such as caching less data, prioritizing data usage of non-Heavy Data Users, and video optimization. Some business and government plans also offer these customers the choice of content filtering for heavy-usage video and gaming sites and applications, based on technical standards including traffic volume; see plans for details.”

For anyone who selects a plan with ‘lower network priority’, T-Mobile reserves the right to slow user speeds depending on the plan and brand they’ve selected. T-Mobile notes this within its FAQ:

“Where the network is lightly loaded, customers will notice little, if any, effect from selecting a plan with lower network priority. This will be the case in the vast majority of times and locations. At times and at locations where the network is heavily loaded in relation to available capacity, however, those customers will likely see reductions in data speeds, especially if they are engaged in data-intensive activities. Depending on the extent of network congestion, these customers may notice more frequent impacts to some video streaming, file downloads, and other high-bandwidth activities.”

What does bandwidth throttling feel like?

If T-Mobile decides to throttle your bandwidth, you will notice that your internet speeds seem slower than usual. Generally speaking, T-Mobile should only throttle your bandwidth during peak times, to avoid server congestion. However, it is possible that you could also be throttled based on your activities. This will feel like your internet has suddenly got slower.

If you suspect you are being throttled you may notice that some services are slower than others. For example, you may have normal speeds on YouTube but buffering on Netflix. Or you might be able to stream Netflix without issues, but experience very slow torrenting downloads. This is because T-Mobile is opting to throttle some activities or websites and not others. 

Some telltale signs that you are being throttled include poor video quality playback, constant buffering, lag when playing games, and slow download speeds.

How do I check if T-Mobile is data throttling?

To start, you’ll need to find out exactly what you’ve signed up for. Make sure to check out your plan, looking for any information relating to data caps, bandwidth limits, or anything relating to throttling or prioritization. 

If you head to the T-Mobile site and check out plan details, you’ll find a small disclaimer at the bottom of the page. For example, “Magenta customers using >100GB/mo. may notice reduced speeds until next bill cycle due to data prioritization”.

Once you’ve figured out what you’re supposed to be getting from T-Mobile, use an online speed test tool to test your current speeds. Ookla has a great speed test. Alternatively, you can type “speed test” into Google and use the search engine for results. 

If the results show speeds that are significantly slower than what you’ve been promised, you could be subject to throttling by T-Mobile. 

Is it legal for T-Mobile to throttle user bandwidth?

Yes, unfortunately, it’s legal for T-Mobile to throttle users in the United States. In 2017, the FCC voted to repeal Net Neutrality regulations, which gives ISPs and broadband providers the right to control the content in their network. This includes the ability to restrict content entirely or slow it down. 

T-Mobile has said that it doesn’t discriminate against any sources of traffic, even if it’s a service in direct competition with the operator. 

Will I have my bandwidth throttled when gaming?

It is possible, yes. Gamers are often the first users to experience throttling because the games they use take up a lot of bandwidth. During peak times, when T-Mobile and other ISPs want to prevent network congestion, it has to pick which users to throttle, and it will often be those that are hogging a lot of bandwidth by torrenting, gaming, or streaming.

T-Mobile customers have noted slower speeds and video throttling, which can potentially be solved with VPN usage.

If you notice that your internet feels slower than usual while playing games, this could be a surefire sign that you are experiencing throttling. Under these circumstances, it is well worth testing a VPN to see if it resolves the problem. The VPNs we have recommended have a money-back guarantee, which means you can try them to speed up your gaming completely risk-free.

T-Mobile throttling: FAQs

Will a free VPN prevent data throttling?

It’s unlikely, given the majority of free providers are known to throttle data themselves. With servers that are constantly under strain, free VPNs lack the ability to provide the user with reliable speeds for tasks like streaming or torrenting. Many freemium services hide streaming access, faster speeds, or bandwidth behind a paywall, and some have been known to contain malware or sell user data.

Is a VPN the only way to avoid T-Mobile throttling?

A VPN is one of the easiest and safest ways to avoid throttling, but there are a number of alternative solutions to consider. You could look at a proxy service, as long as it also provides encryption. 

Switching to a different ISP is another solution, especially if you can find a less restrictive service. You can also try switching to a different connection, and testing your internet speeds. 

Will a VPN hide data usage from T-Mobile?

T-Mobile won’t be able to see the contents of your internet connection, but encryption won’t be able to stop an ISP from keeping tabs on the amount of data being used. A VPN can bypass T-Mobile throttling, but it can't hide your data usage. 

Does a VPN count towards my data limit?

Yes, if you’re using a VPN it will still count towards your data limit. It makes sense, as the user is still connected to the internet via T-Mobile, even if the ISP can’t see what you’re up to. Even if the VPN has unlimited bandwidth, you'll still be subject to your T-Mobile data cap. 

Is it legal to avoid bandwidth throttling with a VPN?

Yes. It is legal to use a VPN to gain online privacy and security in most countries around the world. The fact that the VPN also allows you to sidestep ISP bandwidth throttling, like that carried out by T-Mobile, is just an added bonus. 

With that said, it is important to note that the legality of using a VPN may vary depending on the country you are in and its specific laws. In many jurisdictions, using a VPN is legal but certain online activities are still banned. For this reason, it is what you do with your VPN rather than using a VPN that may be illegal.

For example, in countries like the UAE it is technically legal to have a VPN, but using a VPN to bypass government blocks or use VoIP services is technically prohibited. In China, only government-registered VPNs are legal, and in other countries such as Russia and Iran, there are varying degrees of restrictions on VPN usage.

Nothing in this guide should be taken as legal advice and you should always research the legality of using a VPN in your specific country. We do not encourage or condone the act of using a VPN to engage in illegal activities, and we urge you to remember that using a VPN to conceal online harm or cybercrime is illegal and could lead to prosecution.

Finally, it is worth noting that each ISP has its own Terms of Service. These rules may specify that it is technically disallowed to use a VPN to bypass bandwidth throttling. Check the terms for your ISP if you have any concerns about bypassing bandwidth throttling.