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How-To3 minutes read
November 18, 2023
How To Stop ISP Throttling: Be Your Own ISP
As we've highlighted in the past, there are only a few ways to stop ISP throttling, and they're only effective in certain situations.
As a quick summary: If your ISP is throttling based on packet or service type, you can use some kind of encrypted proxy or privacy app. That will create an encrypted tunnel to cloak the type of Internet traffic you're generating, getting around any automation that stops specific kinds of Internet use (streaming, Torrenting, etc.).
But if your ISP is throttling based on volume, you're out of luck. This is common in countries that respect Net Neutrality but still throttle based on fair use policies. The fine print of most ISP agreements says that if you're using a lot of bandwidth when compared to other customers, they can slow you down. You almost never get high minimum speed agreements. And there's no way to stop an ISP from throttling you due to high bandwidth usage…
…unless you are the ISP!
One way to get around ISP policies is to set them yourself. This is an option that is increasingly taking place in rural communities, underserved cities, and frustrated townships all over the world.
So let's talk about how to stop ISP throttling in the most extreme way possible: Setting up a WISP.
How To Stop ISP Throttling With A WISP
WISP stands for Wireless Internet Service Provider. It's exactly what it sounds like: Getting a bunch of bandwidth from a backbone provider, and separating it out among a bunch of wireless clients.
Generally, you want a lot of community buy-in before attempting to start a WISP. Without a lot of people willing to share the costs (and the benefits), the individual burden of running a WISP is too much for more people.
How feasible is this? Ask Czechia. They had over 800 WISPs back in 2008, proving that the model not only worked but could be replicated time and time again as long as there were people who needed good Internet access. They also know that getting out from under the thumb of big ISPs, who are often corrupt at a governmental level (taking grants for projects they never complete, offering open backdoors for surveillance, etc.), is a nice side-benefit as well.
Because customer groups are so 'tight' and predictable with a WISP, the cost-to-benefit ratio can be calculated with a fair amount of accuracy. One example of this is shown on the Start Your Own ISP website. Skipping to the end of their spreadsheet, you can see what the upfront costs will be, as well as the monthly outlay. Divide those costs by the number of customers involved, and you have your economic roadmap.
The sweet spot seems to be in the 70 to 85 customer range. In the United States, that would put individual ISP costs in the $30 to $40 a month, with a good bandwidth split. Of course, you can adjust these spreadsheet figures to reflect local costs and rework from there. Initial outlay and setup costs are a few hundred per person, but if it serves a community need then there might be grants available to defray this.
The hardest part is getting the word out of course. It's a lot like running for local office - you need to shake a lot of hands and hang a lot of fliers. You need to get on the good side of local councils. You need to show the benefits, sell the dream, and get all the help that you need. Only when you feel confident should you start spending money. WISPs are also good crowdfunding targets, which can potentially attract one or two big benefactors who can really help to defray the costs.
Other Benefits Of A WISP
Now that you know how to stop ISP throttling with a WISP, you need to consider if it's worth the time and effort. Yes, you're sticking it to 'the man' and you get what you want out of it. But are there any other benefits?
Sure! One of the biggest benefits of a WISP is privacy. You aren't obligated to install government backdoors, you set your own logging policy, and you take charge of one of the most vulnerable links in the surveillance chain. A properly run WISP is huge privacy win.
Free Internet is another benefit. Though WISPs aren't exactly money-making machines, and most profits get poured back into infrastructure, repairs, and expansion, the person running the WISP generally gets their own Internet for free once the customer base reaches a certain threshold. This is payback for the time spent setting the whole thing up.
Many regulations that apply to big ISPs do not apply to smaller ones. So a certain amount of freedom comes with being on a WISP, depending on national and local laws.
And If You Don't Want To Set Up Your Own WISP…
…why not see if there is one available in your area? Then you get all of the benefits and far less responsibility. The United States and the United Kingdom have big WISP collectives that can help you locate locally operating providers. As do many countries throughout the world.
By becoming a patron of organizations that believe in Net Neutrality and are doing something to fight back against the ridiculously predatory and restrictive policies of big ISPs, you can get what you want while helping out others in your community. It's a win-win.
When you combine small-scale backbone connectivity with a privacy app such as Hoody, you're in a good position to take advantage of an end-to-end Internet solution that will protect your identity, maximize your Internet speeds, and put you in touch with a security conscientious community that can help you out if you have any concerns.
The movement towards a less centralized Internet that has the benefits and freedoms of global Net Neutrality is really starting to take off. Joining a WISP can put you in the driver's seat, helping to form fair and optimal bandwidth policies for you and your community. And ultimately, that's how to stop ISP throttling.
Want to know more? Check out ISP Throttling – The Truth.
Will RWill is a former Silicon Valley sysadmin and award-winning non-functional tester. After 20+ years in tech, he decided to share his experience with the world as a writer. His recent work involves documenting government hacking methods while probing the current state of privacy and security on the Internet.
