[New Englander]

If you have 200 on Quantum is it fast enough to stream? Do you like it or wish you had taken the faster speed at quantum?

[Keefelane66]

We’ve had it for about 5 years stream IPTV and movie apps with no issues. It’s an individual fiber connection to each resident. The very few times I check internet speed now is consistently 200 mg. In 5 years maybe had 2 outages not counting power outages. We provide our own modem billed $30 monthly if you prefer to have their modem monthly fee including internet is $45.
Unless you might be a gamer gigabit serve is a waste.
My brother in law has Comcast highest service insisting it’s great doesn’t stream a or game mainly email usage and downloads book from Sumter Library.

[New Englander]

Originally Posted by Keefelane66

We’ve had it for about 5 years stream IPTV and movie apps with no issues. It’s an individual fiber connection to each resident. The very few times I check internet speed now is consistently 200 mg. In 5 years maybe had 2 outages not counting power outages. We provide our own modem billed $30 monthly if you prefer to have their modem monthly fee including internet is $45.
Unless you might be a gamer gigabit serve is a waste.
My brother in law has Comcast highest service insisting it’s great doesn’t stream a or game mainly email usage and downloads book from Sumter Library.

I'm leaving Xfinity. I've used my own modem and router with Xfinity. Will this modem and router work on Quantum??

[Keefelane66]

No we use an ATT Arris about 5 years old technically once service is installed it’s wired Ethernet, fiber to home interface then cat 5 or 6 to rj45. Cable tv companies need a MAC ADDRESS supplied on modem to find you on their network without getting into to much detail it’s technically shared internet thru coax.

[tuccillo]

The 200 megabits per second up and down service from QuantumFiber is more than enough to stream. 1080p Hi-Def video consumes about 5 megabits per second of bandwidth per stream. 2160p (aka 4k) consumes about 20 megabits per second of bandwidth per stream. Unless you are moving around large files (say 50 gigabytes or more), 200 megabits per second is more than enough. We have the QuantumFiber 200 megabit service and it is easily 10 times more bandwidth than we consume. It is the sweet spot in their pricing. I believe many people sign up for more bandwidth than they require.

Originally Posted by New Englander

If you have 200 on Quantum is it fast enough to stream? Do you like it or wish you had taken the faster speed at quantum?

[tuccillo]

Assuming you have a single box that is a combined modem/router, you don't need the modem part of the box. Assuming you use only the router half of the box then you are probably good. If you have two separate boxes, you only need the router. QuantumFiber will provide you with a dynamic IP address at an RJ-45 jack somewhere in your house. You can plug a computer, router, or VoIP phone into that jack.

Originally Posted by New Englander

I'm leaving Xfinity. I've used my own modem and router with Xfinity. Will this modem and router work on Quantum??

[New Englander]

Originally Posted by Keefelane66

No we use an ATT Arris about 5 years old technically once service is installed it’s wired Ethernet, fiber to home interface then cat 5 or 6 to rj45. Cable tv companies need a MAC ADDRESS supplied on modem to find you on their network without getting into to much detail it’s technically shared internet thru coax.

My modem is less than a year old. It can handle great speeds. This won't work?

Amazon.com

[CoachKandSportsguy]

Originally Posted by New Englander

If you have 200 on Quantum is it fast enough to stream? Do you like it or wish you had taken the faster speed at quantum?

I'm at 400 mbps on a cat 5 wired gigabit system, and that is the max needed with multiple computer devices pushing large files around with streaming TV operating at the same time that anyone would need.

So unless you have a demand more than that, I would say 200 is more than plenty.

and I will probably move down in speed or get a cheaper provider when retired.

[Pinball wizard]

Originally Posted by New Englander

If you have 200 on Quantum is it fast enough to stream? Do you like it or wish you had taken the faster speed at quantum?

Plenty fast enough. I stream mlb on my pc while my wife also streams mlb on the smart tv (rockies and yankees).

[Pinball wizard]

Originally Posted by New Englander

I'm leaving Xfinity. I've used my own modem and router with Xfinity. Will this modem and router work on Quantum??

Just to clarify a bit. Quantum supplies their own 'modem' free of charge. You cannot use your own modem. Their modem converts fiber to ethernet.

If you have your own router or a combo modem/router where you can disable the modem, then you can use it.

Else you can rent their 'pods' (200 mb service). It costs $15/month for 2 pods. This makes your total bill $45/mo including tax.

[jedalton]

I had a customer who couldn't get local channels without buffering, movies and tv series worked just fine. Customer has Centurylink fiber and paying for 900 mb/sec speed. when I checked speed at firestick it was around 300 mb/s but when I checked it on 5 star it was only 35 Mb/s. here was the problem ( installed surfshark VPN and problem solved).

How to Tell If Your Internet Is Being Throttled

Written by

Tyler Cooper

Last Updated: May 5, 2023 | Published: Jul 20, 2020

Some internet providers save money by limiting your internet speeds, a process also known as “throttling.”
Network congestion, exceeding a data cap, and paid prioritization are some of the main reasons for throttling.
One of the best ways to detect throttling on your network is to run an internet speed test using a VPN.
Monitoring your data usage, using a VPN, and switching to a new ISP are the most effective ways to avoid throttling.
While the law currently allows throttling, active lawsuits are challenging the practice.

Have you noticed websites loading slowly, even after ruling out issues with your internet connection and router? If you still struggle with slow internet speeds after troubleshooting, you might be experiencing throttling from your internet service provider (ISP). ISP throttling is an industry practice in which internet companies limit how much bandwidth you can use by cutting down your speeds.

Throttling is a frustrating experience for consumers because many don’t even know it’s happening. Our guide offers insight into how to tell if your internet is being throttled, why ISP throttling happens, and how to stop it.

What Is ISP Throttling?

ISP throttling is a money-saving tactic used by internet companies to moderate network traffic, control bandwidth congestion, and mandate data limits. By slowing down services and preventing users from consuming the most bandwidth, prioritized users can surf with less lag. Internet signals are often from shared cell towers that individuals within a certain radius of your home also use.

Once you’ve determined that it’s not your router that is causing issues, but rather your ISP throttling your data, you know that internet bandwidth is never truly unlimited. ISPs throttle users to get around limitations and save money.

Why Does Throttling Happen?

Throttling occurs with data-intensive activities like gaming, streaming, and torrenting online. By throttling data, internet companies can take on more customers without adequately scaling their services. While throttling frequently happens with mobile and wireless services, it isn’t as common with cable, DSL, and fiber internet connectivity.

Here are some common scenarios for throttling.

Network Congestion

Network congestion is when too many users attempt to access a network. When the network reaches its maximum capacity and becomes congested, internet companies commonly use ISP throttling to regulate connectivity between users. Network congestion is likely to occur during high traffic times throughout the day or in areas with a high concentration of users, like apartment complexes and public spaces with a free Wi-Fi connection.

Exceeding a Data Cap

A data cap is a number (in GB) that represents the maximum amount of data that you can use each month. Your internet provider is likely to throttle your internet service with a soft data cap if you surpass the amount of bandwidth on your service plan. Data caps are a way for internet companies to police bandwidth usage on their networks. We’ve listed every single internet provider with data caps on their plans.

Paid Prioritization

A more controversial reason for ISP throttling is paid prioritization, a financial arrangement whereby a company pays an ISP to have their data prioritized above other data on the network, like a fast lane. In 2018, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) overturned existing net neutrality laws and legalized paid prioritization. Critics of net neutrality fear that large companies with data-intensive services, like Netflix or YouTube, could strike deals with internet companies, making it challenging to access competitors’ sites.

How Can I Tell If My Internet Is Being Throttled?

If you’re experiencing slow speeds or intermittent connectivity, there’s a chance that you’re experiencing ISP throttling. Because slow connectivity depends on various factors, the only way to ascertain that your internet hasn’t been throttled is to administer and then compare the results of two internet speed tests.

Here are three easy steps to determine whether or not your internet is being throttled:

Run an Internet Speed Test

By running an internet speed test, you can compare the speeds you’re getting to the speed that you’re paying for on your data plan. ISPs are known for monitoring and modifying these speed tests, so once you’ve run a speed test on your computer, you’ll need to do it a second time with a reputable virtual private network (VPN).

Images of three odometers.An internet speed test tells you what your actual speeds are compared to what the ISP advertises for your plan.

Download and Activate a Reputable VPN

It’s a common practice for ISPs to manipulate the results of speed tests, so it’s important to re-run an internet speed test on a VPN to get an untampered reading. A VPN is an encrypted connection that acts as a secure tunnel for users to send and receive data on public networks. With a VPN, the content you view online will be encrypted and hidden from your ISP.

Compare Results From Another Speed Test

Once you’ve re-run your second internet speed test on a VPN, compare the two results. If your results are in the same range with and without the VPN, then chances are that you’re not being throttled by your ISP. On the other hand, if your results are significantly different, it’s likely that your internet is being throttled.

How Do I Stop My ISP From Throttling My Internet?

If you have confirmed that your ISP is throttling your data, the next step is to try to stop it from doing so.

Here are steps you can take:

Monitor your data usage more closely. Staying on top of your data usage is a preventive measure to avoid reaching your cap. If you find yourself surpassing your cap regularly, then it might be time to look for a plan with a higher data allowance.
Use a VPN when you’re online. If your ISP can’t see the content you’re viewing online, it will not throttle you for specific activities. Navigating the internet with a reputable VPN will hide your activity from your ISP and decrease your chance of being throttled.
Reach out to government officials. If you’re dissatisfied with the current state of net neutrality, you can contact the FCC to share your concerns or reach out to your state representatives and share how this legislation impacts you.
Find a new ISP. If you can’t resolve throttling by your current provider, it may be time to cancel and switch to a new ISP with a higher data cap. We have a comprehensive list of internet providers and their coverage and download speeds.
Is Throttling Legal?

Throttling an internet connection is like a sneaky business that shortchanges its customers. Nonetheless, throttling is a legal practice, as long as ISPs adequately explain it to their customers. On the other hand, failure to inform customers about throttling is illegal. There have been several lawsuits regarding deceptive throttling that have landed certain ISPs in the hot seat for false advertising regarding unlimited data.

Frequently Asked Questions About Internet Throttling

Which VPN is best to stop ISP throttling?

One of the best VPNs to stop ISP throttling is surfshark the leading VPN, with a network of high-speed servers across 94 countries.

Do all ISPs throttle data?

Typically, ISPs throttle only those who they consider to be heavy internet users during high traffic times.

How do I know if my ISP is throttling my Netflix?

Perform an internet speed test, conduct another speed test with a VPN, and then compare the results.

How do I stop my ISP from throttling me without a VPN?

Using a proxy server to avoid ISP throttling may be a temporary solution, but the best solution is to download a reputable

[rsmurano]

200 Mb fiber is a capable speed to stream movies and even do gaming to multiple devices. But that’s from the internet providers modem/router out to the internet, what happens inside your home, your network can have speeds of 5Mb (or even no network service) to 10Gb, which your internet provider doesn’t guarantee. Also to watch out for with these slower network speeds are the data caps. The higher speed options, usually come with unlimited data whereas the slower speed options cap your data, and if you consume more data than what you pay for, you can either get shutdown for the remainder of the month (dish network), or your speeds can drop until the end of the month all while you get charged a pretty healthy fee for going over the allocated data cap.

[HomerSimpson]

No problem streaming with Quantum 200 for us. Sometimes we even have 2 different streams at the same time with no problem. By using our own ASUS RT-AC3100 wi-fi router (has 4 antennae), signal is strong enough all over our home.

[oneclickplus]

Originally Posted by New Englander

If you have 200 on Quantum is it fast enough to stream? Do you like it or wish you had taken the faster speed at quantum?

As a reference, you can stream a 4K movie with 25mbps. 200mbps is more than enough for just about anything most households need. Now, that's 200mbps of download speed.

The question that very few people know to ask is "what is my upload speed?". You'd be surprised at how little you get. And, it's true that you don't need very much upload speed for video streaming, email, web browsing, etc. But if you are using or thinking about using a cloud backup service or want to upload videos to youtube or any other action where you are transmitting (not receiving) data in volume, you will find out very quickly that the big number the various ISP's promote as the speed they are offing is worthless.

I run my entire household on 75mbps and have no speed issues. However, I have symmetrical bandwidth meaning I get 75mbps both up and down. That's what matters to me. Without fast upload speed, any task that requires uploading a volume of data will bring your computer to its knees.

So, your 200mbps is plenty fast for anything download related.

[tuccillo]

The OP specifically asked about QuantumFiber's 200 megabit per second service. This service is 200 megabits per second up and down. See post #5.

Originally Posted by oneclickplus

As a reference, you can stream a 4K movie with 25mbps. 200mbps is more than enough for just about anything most households need. Now, that's 200mbps of download speed.

The question that very few people know to ask is "what is my upload speed?". You'd be surprised at how little you get. And, it's true that you don't need very much upload speed for video streaming, email, web browsing, etc. But if you are using or thinking about using a cloud backup service or want to upload videos to youtube or any other action where you are transmitting (not receiving) data in volume, you will find out very quickly that the big number the various ISP's promote as the speed they are offing is worthless.

I run my entire household on 75mbps and have no speed issues. However, I have symmetrical bandwidth meaning I get 75mbps both up and down. That's what matters to me. Without fast upload speed, any task that requires uploading a volume of data will bring your computer to its knees.

So, your 200mbps is plenty fast for anything download related.