Weekdays
- Morning (7–9 AM) is quiet before offices start streaming.
- Lunch break (2–4 PM) has moderate bandwidth; good backup slot.
- Evening stays busy; pre-schedule downloads if possible.
Timing strategy
Beat ISP congestion by downloading during low-traffic windows, using mirror scheduling, and automating overnight queues. Pair these timing tricks with the broader tips on the speed optimization hub.
Breadcrumb
Hourly outlook
| Window | Fiber (Mbps) | 4G mobile (Mbps) | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01:00–04:00 | 16–22 | 10–15 | Best slot — schedule big downloads here. |
| 07:00–11:00 | 12–18 | 8–12 | Great for manual downloads after waking up. |
| 14:00–16:00 | 10–14 | 7–10 | Stable midday window, especially weekdays. |
| 19:00–00:00 | 3–6 | 2–4 | Avoid unless urgent; use mirrors + ADM if you must. |
Numbers come from Dhaka/Chattogram test nodes (fiber: Link3, mobile: Grameenphone/Airtel). Your ISP may vary but the trend stays similar.
Weekday vs weekend
Automation
| Tool | Platform | How to schedule | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| ADM | Android | Queue → tap ⋮ → Schedule → set 01:05 start, auto-stop 04:00. | Enable “Wi-Fi only” to avoid mobile data usage. |
| Task Scheduler + aria2 | Windows | Create task → Trigger daily 02:00 → action runs aria2c script. |
Add shutdown /s /t 0 after completion if desired. |
| cron + curl/aria2 | macOS/Linux | 0 1 * * * /usr/local/bin/aria2c ... |
Combine with pmset schedule wake on macOS. |
Power & data
Keep laptops plugged in, disable sleep/hibernate, and check UPS/inverter for power cuts.
Pause cloud backups and streaming boxes so the scheduler gets full bandwidth.
Turn off auto-play updates (Steam, Windows Update) that might hijack bandwidth.
Issue matrix
| Problem | Likely cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Still slow even at 2 AM | Stuck on EU POP | Follow CDN routing guide to force SG/IN POP. |
| Download cancels mid-way | Router reboot / ISP cut | Use ADM/aria2 resume + hash verification; consider UPS. |
| Mobile data capped overnight | Fair-use policies | Schedule just before renewal, or switch to home Wi-Fi for big files. |
| Hash mismatch next morning | Mirror switch mid-download | Re-download with single mirror or verify with aria2 --check-integrity. |
Need more tweaks?
Combine timing with mirrors, DNS, and device-specific tips from the Download Speed Optimization page.
FAQ
Overnight (1–4 AM) and late morning (10 AM–1 PM) give the best throughput on most ISPs.
Yes. Weekend nights are busier, so target early mornings or late afternoons instead.
Use ADM, Task Scheduler, or cron to start downloads automatically during the fastest windows.
Definitely. Timing ensures free bandwidth, while mirrors/DNS ensure the shortest CDN route.
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