Resolve Bandwidth Throttling on Huawei B528 LTE with QoS Settings

Understanding why your internet speed dips during critical moments can feel like chasing a ghost. On a Huawei B528 LTE router, a common culprit is bandwidth throttling—an intentional reduction in data throughput that often surprises users who rely on steady, high‑speed connections for remote work, video calls, or online collaboration. Fortunately, the B528 is not powerless against this; by leveraging its built‑in Quality of Service (QoS) settings, you can shape traffic, prioritize essential applications, and reclaim the bandwidth you need.

Below is a step‑by‑step guide that walks you through diagnosing throttling, configuring QoS, and monitoring performance. Follow along carefully and you’ll discover how to keep your home office humming at full speed.

Getting Ready: Gather the Essentials

Before you log into the router, make sure you have:

• The router’s IP address (usually 192.168.8.1 or 192.168.1.1)
• An administrator username and password (the default is often “admin”/“admin” or “admin”/“password” unless you changed it)
• A list of devices that need priority (e.g., laptop, VoIP phone, video conferencing system)
• Knowledge of the ports used by each application (TCP/UDP numbers; many are listed in the app’s help documentation)
• A secondary device for testing (a laptop or smartphone) to run speed tests after configuration

If you’re not sure about any of these details, check the router’s manual or the label on the device.

Accessing the Huawei B528 Admin Interface

1. Connect a computer or smartphone to the B528 network (wired or wireless).
2. Open a web browser and enter the router’s IP address.
3. When prompted, enter your administrator credentials.
4. You should see the main dashboard. Look for a menu item labeled “Advanced” or “Settings”.

The interface is fairly straightforward. From here you’ll navigate to the QoS section.

Spotting Throttling Symptoms

You might notice one or more of the following:

• Sudden drops in speed during specific times of day (often when many users in the building are online)
• Inconsistent performance on video calls or file uploads
• Automatic bandwidth limits that appear in the router’s status page
• App‑specific restrictions, such as streaming services buffering or cloud backups stalling

Huawei routers often report the current effective speed on the status page. Compare this to the plan speed listed on your ISP bill. If there’s a persistent discrepancy, it’s a strong indicator of throttling.

Checking Current QoS Status

Within the “Advanced” or “Settings” menu, locate QoS. If it’s disabled, you’ll see a toggle labeled “Enable” or “Turn On.” If it’s already on, the interface will show existing rules and their priorities. Take note of:

• Total uplink and downlink bandwidth allocated
• Any default rules that may be limiting traffic

You may want to reset the QoS configuration to start from a clean slate. Look for a “Reset to Default” button. Confirm and allow the router to restart.

Enabling QoS on the B528

1. Click the Enable toggle to activate QoS.

2. Set the Maximum Bandwidth values.

   • Downlink: The speed the ISP advertises (e.g., 100 Mbps).
   • Uplink: Usually slightly lower (e.g., 20 Mbps).
     If you’re unsure, use the numbers reported in your ISP agreement or in the router’s status page.

3. Choose a QoS Mode.

   • Bandwidth Limiting: Caps total throughput.
   • Priority Queuing: Prioritizes selected traffic while still allowing full bandwidth for other traffic.

For most home office setups, Priority Queuing is preferable. It lets you ensure critical traffic gets the needed speed without artificially reducing overall capacity.

Crafting QoS Rules

You’ll create a rule for each category of traffic you care about. The B528 allows you to specify rules by:

• Device (MAC address or IP)
• Port (TCP or UDP number)
• Service (predefined options like VoIP, Video Streaming, Gaming)
• Bandwidth Share (percentage of total available bandwidth)

Because the router’s UI doesn’t support numbered lists, we’ll present the steps as bullet points.

1. Prioritize Your Laptop for Remote Work

• Add a New Rule and select Device.
• Enter your laptop’s MAC address (found in the network settings).
• Choose Priority as High.
• Allocate 70% of the downlink bandwidth to this rule.
• Leave the uplink share at 50% to maintain balance for uploads.

2. Secure Video Conferencing Traffic

• Add a rule using Service → Video Conferencing (or manually enter the port numbers used by Zoom, Teams, or Webex).
• Set Priority to High.
• Allocate 50% of the downlink bandwidth.
• Set Uplink to 40% to avoid packet loss during video calls.

3. Ensure VoIP Quality

• Create a rule for your VoIP phone using its MAC or IP.
• Set Priority to High.
• Allocate 30% of the downlink and 30% of the uplink.
• Enable DSCP marking if the router allows it to further prioritize voice packets at the network layer.

4. Allocate Bandwidth for Streaming and Other Devices

• For entertainment devices (smart TVs, game consoles), add a rule labeled Streaming.
• Set Priority to Medium and allocate 30% of the downlink.
• If you have devices that are not critical, leave them with Default priority, letting the router distribute the remaining bandwidth automatically.

5. Fine‑Tune with Traffic Classes

Some B528 models let you define traffic classes (e.g., Class A, Class B). Assign the rules created above to different classes to simplify management. For instance:

• Class A: High‑priority devices (laptop, VoIP, video calls).
• Class B: Medium‑priority devices (streaming).
• Class C: Default.

Advanced Options: Traffic Control and DSCP Marking

If you want deeper control:

• Traffic Control (TC): Use this to set shaping rates for individual traffic types.
• DSCP Marking: When enabled, the router tags packets with Differentiated Services Code Point values. ISPs and upstream routers can honor these marks, delivering higher priority to marked traffic.

To enable DSCP:

1. Go to Advanced → QoS → Traffic Control.
2. Toggle DSCP Marking.
3. Select the rules you want to mark (e.g., VoIP, video).

Remember that not all ISPs honor DSCP marks, but it’s worth trying if you notice consistent jitter or latency.

Updating Firmware

Older firmware may contain bugs that cause unintended throttling. To check:

1. In the admin interface, find System → Firmware Update.
2. If an update is available, download and install it.
3. Reboot the router and re‑apply your QoS settings.

After updating, verify that the QoS rules still apply. Some updates may reset the configuration.

Testing Your New Configuration

1. Speed Test

Use a reliable speed‑testing service such as Speedtest.net from your laptop:

• Connect via Ethernet for the most accurate measurement.
• Run tests during the times you previously experienced throttling.
• Note both download and upload speeds.

Compare the results to:

• Your ISP’s advertised speeds.
• The speeds you measured before enabling QoS.

If you still see lower than expected speeds, double‑check that the downlink and uplink values match your ISP plan.

2. Application‑Specific Tests

• Video Call: Start a call with a colleague and observe latency and packet loss.
• File Upload: Upload a large file to a cloud storage service and note the upload rate.
• VoIP: Make a call and listen for jitter or drops.

If any application suffers, revisit its rule and adjust the bandwidth share or priority.

3. Real‑Time Traffic Monitoring

Some routers expose a Traffic Monitor or NetFlow tool:

1. Access Advanced → Traffic Monitor.
2. Observe which devices are consuming the most bandwidth.
3. Verify that your high‑priority rule is indeed receiving the allocated share.

If you see unexpected high usage from a device that shouldn’t be prioritized, consider adding a rule to limit it.

Troubleshooting Persistent Throttling

Even with QoS, throttling can continue due to external factors:

1. ISP Throttling Policies

   • Some providers impose bandwidth limits during peak hours or for specific services.
   • Contact your ISP to confirm if any policies affect your plan.

2. Congestion on the LTE Network

   • LTE towers may throttle traffic if overloaded.
   • Switching to a different band or using a different router may help.

3. Misconfigured Rules

   • Overlapping rules can cancel each other out.
   • Ensure each rule is distinct and not duplicated.

4. Firmware Bugs

   • If the problem persists after an update, try rolling back to a previous stable firmware version.

5. Network Loop or Miswired Cable

   • Ensure your Ethernet cable is securely connected and not damaged.

6. MAC Address Spoofing

   • Some devices may change MAC addresses.
   • Use IP or Port rules if MAC is unreliable.

Optimizing for a Home Office Environment

Beyond QoS, consider the following practices to maximize performance:

• Wired Connections: Use Ethernet for devices that require high reliability (laptop, VoIP phone).
• Dedicated Guest Network: Separate guest devices from office devices to prevent them from stealing bandwidth.
• Static IPs: Assign static IPs to office equipment to simplify rule creation.
• Time‑Based QoS: If you only need priority during business hours, configure rules to activate between 8 am and 6 pm.
• VPN Usage: If you use a VPN, note that it may add latency. Prioritize VPN traffic if it’s essential for remote work.
• Regular Speed Checks: Schedule monthly speed tests to catch any drift before it becomes problematic.

Closing Thoughts

Band­width throttling on a Huawei B528 LTE can be frustrating, especially when your home office depends on a consistent internet stream. However, by methodically turning on QoS, crafting thoughtful rules, and continuously testing, you can shape your network to favor the applications that matter most. The router’s built‑in tools are powerful enough to separate voice, video, and data traffic and to allocate bandwidth precisely.

Take the time to document your configuration (save screenshots or copy the rule set). If you need to restore or replicate the setup on another device, you’ll have a clear reference. And remember: while QoS can mitigate many throttling symptoms, some limitations may still stem from the ISP or the LTE network itself. Stay in touch with your provider and keep firmware up to date to minimize those external bottlenecks.

With the B528’s QoS turned on, your home office will be better equipped to handle the demands of modern work—whether you’re dialing into a conference, uploading large files, or streaming a webinar. Happy networking!