So I'm sure at least a few people have noticed I haven't been on nearly as much these past few months, that's because of an issue I'm having with my internet dropping speeds down around 56kb-1mb. No where can I find an answer to this, speed test shows the speeds (but I'm not sure that's really a reliable tool to use for testing) and my isp (Windstream, the only provider that covers my area as TWC refuses to provide service to my area.. that's a story for a different time) anyways, Winstream shows that I am getting 3.5mb which is the max I can get on a steady basis (except recently). The weird part is that the speed drop always happens at the exact same times 11am-11pm and I'm not exaggerating when I say this happens right as the second ticks over from 59 to the new hour. So until I get this sorted out I probably won't be on at all unless I have free time in the mornings or I'm not asleep at night.
I use windstream as well and I used to have similar problems, they kinda fixed it by routing me through a different state (Speedtest shows me running from Little Rock, Arkansas instead of Missouri which is where I live). Your answer however is that windstream is a horrible company that has no competition and has no need to give better service.
Looks to me like they might consider that "peak time" so automatically throttle. I would find out if other people in the area notice such slow speeds at those times. Also, I think when ISPs check a line it is for Max capable speed, not the current one. Could be wrong but that's what I thought they did when evaluating a home for a new service.