The recent Ethereum transaction backlog has been pinned on the high traffic caused by the mass rash of Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs [hacked link]). Long-term solutions have yet to be looked at, but certain individual ICOs (such as iDice) have decided to tell users to increase the “gas” they use to propel their investments.
While this may work for the ICOs, ultimately the network is congested, and a long-term solution will have to be worked out by the DAO and Ethereum developers at large.
https://www.cryptocoinsnews.com/ethereum-congested-time-start-looking-ico-platforms/