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Congestion occurs when a network segment carries more traffic than its capacity, leading to delays and, if severe enough, dropped packets.
How TCP Responds Automatically
TCP includes built-in congestion control, automatically slowing down data transmission when it detects signs of congestion, then gradually speeding back up as conditions improve.
Where Congestion Typically Happens
Bottlenecks often occur at network edges (a home internet connection during peak evening hours) or at interconnection points between different networks carrying more traffic than provisioned for.
Why This Self-Regulation Matters
Without automatic congestion response, a busy network could collapse entirely under load rather than gracefully slowing down — TCP's design specifically prevents that outcome.
