Is Verizon throttling 4G unlimited data now?

I've spent several hours trying to determine if Verizon is now throttling 4G unlimited data users.

I've read that back in July it was a "go", and then it was halted by the FCC.

I've also read that Verizon is now calling it "network optimization" and that if you're

1. You're not currently on contract,

2. have the old unlimited data plan.

3. Use more than 5 gigs per billing cycle.

4. There is currently network congestion on the tower that you're using.

Then Verizon is throttling back download speeds.

We meet all four of the above criteria, and we're seeing substantial cutbacks in 4g download speeds during the day and early evening. Speeds as low as a half a MBS, and uploads of around 1 MBS.

At 2 AM it shows 8 down and 5 up.

But I've also read that Verizon is NOT throttling customers.

We've been in six different states in the past three months and I'm seeing the same approx. results regardless of location.

Would it be possible to purchase an Aircard to use during times when downloading is crawling? Then I could use the Aircard some of the time, and the Bionic some of the time. Would I be able to purchase and Aircard without impacting our old grandfathered Verizon plan.

Thanks in advance for your input.