Systems, devices, and techniques for providing content via a bandwidth-conserved connection to a client device is described herein. Content can be encoded at reduced rate in response to being presented with a bandwidth-conserved connection. When the encoded content is received at a network provider, the network provider can determine a transmission pattern to transmit the encoded content to the client device. The transmission pattern can include transmission periods where the encoded content is transmitted at a maximum transmission rate, followed by periods where no encoded content is transmitted. Thus, although an instantaneous transmission rate approaches a maximum transmission rate of a network, the average transmission bandwidth provided to the client device can be limited, thereby reducing congestion in the network. Further, a radio element of the client device can enter a low power state when no encoded content is to be transmitted, thereby reducing power consumption at the client device.