VPNs Mask Streaming Traffic to Curb ISP Throttling and Improve 4K Video
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Jun 30
VPNs Mask Streaming Traffic to Curb ISP Throttling and Improve 4K Video
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jun 30
Summary
Encrypted VPN traffic can make streaming data harder for internet providers to identify, reducing selective throttling that often shows up as buffering and sudden drops in video quality.
ISPs may slow video first when networks are congested because streaming consumes heavy bandwidth, leaving web browsing seemingly normal while movies and sports feeds blur or stall.
Hotel and public Wi-Fi users can also benefit from a VPN's added privacy and steadier connections, though encryption cannot fix an overloaded shared network.
5 GHz or 6 GHz Wi-Fi, Ethernet, a nearby VPN server and a newer Wi-Fi 6 router can further improve playback; some streaming services still limit or block VPN connections.