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Have you ever noticed that your internet slows to a crawl just when you need it most? Maybe your favourite Netflix show starts buffering endlessly, or your online game becomes unplayable. The worst part? You’re on an uncapped plan, so this shouldn’t be happening, right?
Well, welcome to the world of Fair Usage Policies (FUP) and ISP throttling—a reality for many South African internet users. Whether you’re on fibre, LTE, or 5G, most ISPs limit speeds after a certain amount of data usage, even when they advertise “uncapped” services.
In this guide, we’ll unpack what data caps, FUP, and ISP throttling actually mean, how they affect your connection, and—most importantly—how to avoid them.
1. What is a Data Cap?
A data cap is a restriction placed by your ISP on the total amount of data you can use within a billing cycle. Some plans come with hard caps, where your internet stops completely once you hit your limit, while others impose soft caps, where speeds are drastically reduced instead of cutting you off.
For example, some LTE providers allow 200GB per month at full speed but slow you down to nearly unusable speeds once that limit is reached. Many people unknowingly sign up for “uncapped” packages, assuming they have unlimited, high-speed access—but there’s often a catch.
2. What is Fair Usage Policy (FUP)?
“Uncapped” Doesn’t Always Mean Unlimited
Fair Usage Policy (FUP) is a rule that allows ISPs to limit speeds for heavy users to ensure that network resources are shared fairly among all customers. This means that if you use too much data too quickly, your ISP may throttle your speeds until the next billing cycle.
FUP Limits in South Africa
| ISP | FUP Threshold Before Throttling |
|---|---|
| Rain | 1TB on premium packages, lower on standard LTE |
| Telkom | 300GB on most LTE plans |
| Vodacom | Unpublished limits but throttles heavy users |
| MTN | Case-by-case basis |
| Openserve | Depends on the ISP using the network |
3. What is ISP Throttling & Why Does It Happen?
Throttling is when your internet provider deliberately slows down your connection. If you’ve noticed your internet slowing down at specific times of the day, your ISP might be limiting speeds based on network congestion or data usage.
Why South African ISPs Throttle Users:
- To manage network congestion – During peak hours, ISPs slow down heavy users to keep the network stable.
- To enforce FUP policies – If you exceed your ISP’s hidden threshold, you’ll be deprioritized.
- To limit high-bandwidth activities – Some ISPs slow down streaming, gaming, and torrents while prioritizing browsing and social media.
4. Who Gets Affected the Most by FUP and Throttling?
Throttling doesn’t impact all users equally. If you just check emails or browse Facebook, you might never notice it. But if you rely on your connection for work, entertainment, or gaming, FUP can become a serious problem.
Who Feels the Impact the Most?
- Gamers – Higher latency, lag spikes, and random disconnections.
- Streamers – Netflix, Showmax, and YouTube automatically reduce your video quality.
- Remote Workers & Students – Video calls become choppy, and cloud services slow down.
- Heavy Downloaders – Torrent users and those downloading large files experience dramatic slowdowns.
5. How to Check If Your ISP is Throttling You
Think your ISP is throttling your speeds? Here’s how to confirm it:
1️⃣ Run a Speed Test – Test your internet at different times of the day using MyBroadband’s Speed Test.
2️⃣ Use a VPN – If your speed improves when connected to a VPN, your ISP is likely throttling specific activities.
3️⃣ Compare Download Speeds – Run a test downloading a file from a regular website vs. a torrent. If torrents are extremely slow, throttling is in place.
4️⃣ Check Your ISP’s T&Cs – Many ISPs don’t clearly state their FUP policies upfront, so read the fine print!
6. How to Avoid ISP Throttling & Data Caps
If you’re tired of your speeds being randomly cut, here’s what you can do:
1. Choose an ISP with Transparent FUP Policies
Some providers enforce harsher FUP limits than others. If you’re a heavy user, look for providers with high or no FUP thresholds.
2. Pick a Plan That Matches Your Usage
Many ISPs offer different levels of uncapped packages. More expensive plans usually come with higher FUP thresholds.
3. Use a VPN
Some ISPs throttle specific services like Netflix, Showmax, and torrents. A VPN can mask your activity, preventing selective speed restrictions.
4. Schedule Large Downloads During Off-Peak Hours
Some ISPs enforce stricter throttling during peak times (6 PM – 11 PM). Downloading files overnight can reduce the impact of FUP.
5. Limit Bandwidth-Hungry Apps
Background apps like automatic updates, cloud syncing, and video streaming can consume large amounts of data without you realizing it. Adjust settings to avoid unnecessary slowdowns.
7. Will South African ISPs Ever Change Their Throttling Policies?
In South Africa, ICASA has attempted to introduce regulations requiring ISPs to be more transparent about FUP and data management policies. However, many providers still hide throttling details in their terms and conditions.
With the expansion of 5G and Fibre, network congestion should become less of an issue, meaning harsher FUP policies may eventually phase out.
Conclusion
If your internet speeds mysteriously slow down, you might be hitting an FUP threshold without knowing it. Many South African ISPs still throttle connections, even on so-called “uncapped” plans.
To avoid frustration, choose the right ISP, test for throttling, and optimize your usage. The more informed you are, the better your internet experience will be.