Verizon Not-So Unlimited: Avoid Verizon Video Throttling With a VPN FlashRouter

Verizon is humming along in the business of pleasing no one. The so-called “Unlimited” plans offered by the carrier have recently been split into 3 potential plans, each of which contain assorted restrictions on streaming Netflix and YouTube. As The Verge reports:

…in a move sure to anger net neutrality advocates, the regular “Go Unlimited” plan throttles all smartphone video streaming to 480p / DVD-quality.

As the title suggests, the Unlimited data plan used to include, you know, unlimited data, which is not so much the case anymore. Furthermore, and perhaps most frustratingly for those paying for the top tier of Unlimited Verizon data…

…you’ll soon be limited to a maximum video quality of 720p streaming on phones and 1080p if you’ve got a tablet on your plan. There’s no going higher for anyone. Even with a laptop connected to your mobile hotspot, you’ll never be able to reach video speeds higher than 10Mbps.

So that settles that, Verizon customers. Consider your streaming activity on Netflix throttled.

Use a VPN to Get Around Verizon Throttling Video

Fortunately for all of us, our good friends in the VPN community are on the case.

Aside from the invaluable data protection service that a VPN typically provides, VPNs can be used to bypass Verizon video throttling. As the CEO of one of favorite providers, NordVPN, recently confirmed to BGR:

“While a VPN can slow down Internet traffic in some cases, it’s a good option to use when an ISP interferes with normal streaming speeds. Without a VPN, a user will more likely get limited speeds from their ISP, which creates buffering, delays and lower quality videos. A VPN allows to stream videos with fewer interruptions.”

Put another way, VPNs encrypt the data traveling across their networks. Verizon simply has no way of knowing whether you’re streaming Netflix or just using a lot of data.

Of course, it’s worth remembering that Netflix has a fraught history with VPNs. Furthermore, that should affect your decision regarding whether you want to use both services together. But, as BGR points out, it can be done with lower profile VPNs or one that you create on your own.

FlashRouters VPN Recommendations

FlashRouters offers no shortage of VPN recommendations. Here are a few we’re particularly fond of:

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What’s more, our open-source routers are designed to be maximally useful for VPN users. Check out some of FlashRouters alternate VPN setups to see some new and interesting ways to use your VPN.

Best DD-WRT FlashRouters

And if you’re really interested in maximizing streaming quality, don’t sleep on our top DD-WRT routers. Therefore, FlashRouters handily alleviate the occasional buffering issues that occur with VPN streaming. For example,