The Internet Service Provider (ISPs) SCAM.

What is an ISP ?

Internet Service Provider or ISPs also known as network operators may not necessarily deliver as is expected of them, reason for many complains about Internet 🛜 speed, bad reception.
Network speed from an internet provider can be represented in an image format using various types of visualizations such as:

1. Speed Test Gauge Chart

 A circular speedometer-like chart displaying download, upload, and ping values, the needle indicates the current speed.

2. Line Graph (Time-Based Speed Trends)

 A line graph showing network speed over time, helping to visualize fluctuations.

3. Heatmap (Geographical Coverage)

 A map showing network speed distribution across different locations, with colors representing speed variations (e.g., red for slow, green for fast).

4. Bar Chart (Comparison Across Plans or Regions)

 Comparing different internet plans or speeds in various locations using bars.

5. Infographic (Network Performance Summary)

A combination of icons, numbers, and visual elements summarizing key performance metrics (e.g., average download/upload speed, latency, coverage).

Many network operators use misleading marketing tactics to make customers believe they are getting more bandwidth than they actually have such as:

1. Confusing Mbps with MBps (Megabits vs. Megabytes)

• ISPs advertise speeds in megabits per second (Mbps) rather than megabytes per second (MBps).
• 1 MBps = 8 Mbps, so if you're promised 100 Mbps, your actual download speed is only 12.5 MBps.

2. "Up to" Speeds (Not Guaranteed)

• Advertisements often say “up to 1 Gbps”, but real-world speeds depend on network congestion, signal strength, and hardware limitations.
• The actual speed might be significantly lower during peak hours.

3. Shared Bandwidth Misconception

• Many people think they get a dedicated 1 Gbps, but most home broadband connections are shared among multiple users in an area.
• If too many users are online, speeds drop drastically.

4. Throttling & Fair Usage Policies (FUP)

• Some ISPs promise "unlimited" data but throttle speeds after reaching a certain limit.
• Example: You buy a 1 Gbps plan, but after using 200GB, your speed drops to 10 Mbps due to a Fair Usage Policy (FUP).

5. Difference Between Download & Upload Speeds

• ISPs advertise high download speeds but hide upload speeds, which are often much lower.
• Example: A 500 Mbps plan may have only 50 Mbps upload speed, affecting video calls and gaming.

6. 5G & Fiber Hype Without Real Coverage

• ISPs market 5G and fiber speeds, but real-world availability is limited.
• Many users pay for high-speed plans but get 4G LTE speeds due to poor coverage.

7. Hidden Network Latency & Packet Loss

• Speed tests show high speeds, but actual browsing/gaming might feel slow due to high latency (ping) and packet loss.
• ISPs rarely disclose latency and jitter, which affect real performance.

How to Avoid Being Fooled

In other to avoid falling in to this trap.

1. Always check if the speed is in Mbps or MBps
2. Read the Fair Usage Policy (FUP) for throttling limits
3. Use a wired connection (WiFi speeds are often slower)
4. Check real user reviews in your area before subscribing
5. Use tools like Speedtest.net to measure actual speeds
6. Do you suspect your ISP is misleading you about your speeds?

What if you have been played all this while?

   You're not alone. Many ISPs overpromise and underdeliver at the end. Here’s how you can verify if your ISP is misleading you about your network speed:

1. Run a Speed Test (Multiple Times & Locations)

• Use tools like Speedtest.net, Fast.com, or nPerf to check your actual speed.
• Compare your download, upload, and ping with what you were promised.
• Run tests at different times (morning, afternoon, night) to detect network congestion issues.

2. Check for Throttling

• If you notice your speed dropping suddenly after using a certain amount of data, your ISP is likely throttling you.
• Use a VPN to see if speeds improve—if they do, your ISP is restricting certain types of traffic.

3. Compare Wired vs. WiFi Speeds

• ISPs may blame slow speeds on WiFi, so test using a LAN cable directly to your router.
• If wired speed is still slow, the ISP is likely at fault.

4. Read the Fine Print (Fair Usage Policy)

• Check if your plan has a Fair Usage Policy (FUP) that reduces speeds after a certain data limit.
• Some ISPs throttle after 100GB or 200GB, even on "unlimited" plans.

5. Check Network Congestion

• If speeds drop during peak hours (evenings, weekends), it’s a sign your ISP has too many users on the same bandwidth.
• This is common with mobile networks like MTN and Orange.

6. Test on a Different Network

• Try the same test on another ISP (e.g., a friend’s WiFi or mobile data).
• If their speeds are better, your provider is likely under-delivering.

What You Can Do If You're Being Fooled

Call your ISP and demand answers (mention your speed test results).
Ask for a refund or downgrade to a cheaper plan if speeds don’t match the promised rate.
Use a VPN to bypass throttling (some ISPs slow down specific websites like YouTube).
Switch providers if you have alternatives like fiber or another mobile network.

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  By Mainimo Romarick N.