Verizon Wireless confirms it throttled Netflix streams as part of traffic optimization trial

Verizon Wireless has been throttling video feeds from Netflix over the course of this week, with the carrier claiming it is part of a temporary trial of system to optimize traffic from video streaming services without impacting quality, though customer reports seem to suggest it is a bandwidth cap on Netflix content.

On Thursday, Reddit users were complaining about speed issues when using Verizon to watch video on Netflix and YouTube, reports Ars Technica. Some users were finding that they were limited to speeds of around 10 megabits per second when using Netflix's Fast.com speed testing tool, despite other speed testing sites reporting the same connections as offering speeds multiple times faster.

The phenomena was also noted on the HowardForums, with user GusHerb94 noting that YouTube was running at 1,250 kilobytes per second according to its "stats for nerds" feature, which is approximately the same as 10 megabits per second. When the user connected to YouTube via a VPN, the speed "tripled" compared to not using the VPN.

Another user responded noting their 1440p video stream was "throttled at a constant 9.59Mbps," adding that the speed was so low "it wasn't even able to keep up and buffered a few times."

Verizon advised in a statement "We've been doing network testing over the past few days to optimize the performance of video applications on our network. The testing should be completed shortly. The customer video experience was not affected."

It could be said that Verizon's testing goes against general net neutrality principles, which typically require Internet providers to treat all traffic equally, regardless of source and content, though Title II does permit some exceptions to allow Verizon to manage its network traffic. Capping the speed of one or more specific services could be seen as giving an advantage to another that doesn't have the same restrictions.

A statement from Netflix reads "We don't cap data and don't cap for any mobile network. We offer settings inside the Netflix app to empower our members to control their own quality preferences and data usage."

Netflix has previously throttled video for Verizon subscribers, claiming in March 2016 its throttling of streams to just 600 kilobits per second was an attempt to "protect consumers from exceeding mobile data caps." Since adding the data usage controls to the mobile app, It has ended the practice.

The streaming service has also been an outspoken supporter of net neutrality, and took part in the recent online "Day of Action" to raise awareness of proposals by Federal Communications Commission chairman Ajit Pai to reverse net neutrality protections.

Verizon's testing of connection speed caps isn't the only way that carriers are trying to reduce the amount of bandwidth consumed on their networks by streaming services. T-Mobile's Binge On service "zero rates" data usage for a number of streaming services, but at the same time optimizes the video by reducing the resolution down to 480p.

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32 Comments

SpamSandwich 32917 comments · 19 Years

About 7 years ago

Net Neutrality is a diaper load which basically amounted to a handout for heavy bandwidth users. Happily, it's going away.

lkrupp 10521 comments · 19 Years

Money talks and bullshit walks. Scream as loud as you want to about evil Verizon. Swear on a stack of Bibles you will never, EVER do business with Verizon, or AT&T, or T-Mobile, or whoever because of their unethical (in your opinion) behavior. Declare all corporations the spawn of Satan if it makes you feel better. You’re just throwing the bedpan into a headwind and will wind up with piss in your face. Personally I think the carriers should just eliminate unlimited data plans all together and be done with it instead of playing the games they do but hey, who am I anyway? Oh, and don’t rely on the government to do anything about it... not unless you want Elizabeth Warren running the show.

sflocal 6133 comments · 16 Years

Online hardline Internet pipes like cable and fiber, data pipes on cellular networks is very limited and impacted heavily as a shared resource. Sure, it's easy for sofa-critics to tell the carriers (just install more/faster towers) but the reality is that if everyone started streaming Netflix on their phones, the cell network would grind to a halt.

Yes, they're paying for unlimited data, or a huge data cap, but the carriers have to walk a fine-line between casual users, and the data hogs that use their phones not only as their personal TV set, but as hotspots and connect their laptops or others as their primary Internet access.

stompy 411 comments · 18 Years

SpamSandwich said:

Net Neutrality is a diaper load which basically amounted to a handout for heavy bandwidth users. Happily, it's going away.

It seems to me that you're conflating a problem created by "unlimited data" with net neutrality. All data has a cost, it's just that in their haste to attract subscribers, ISPs have promised more bandwidth than they are capable of delivering.

I'd prefer that the FCC leave the laws as they are, but that ISPs would charge for every gig of data from every customer. That would more appropriately eliminate "a handout for heavy bandwidth users."

StrangeDays 12959 comments · 8 Years

SpamSandwich said:

Net Neutrality is a diaper load which basically amounted to a handout for heavy bandwidth users. Happily, it's going away.

Pure, unfiltered, nonsense. NN is what prevents bozos like Verizon from doing exactly this -- judging which of your own data they value or devalue, and then screwing with it. As a consumer I don't want that. The ISP is a dumb pipe, and should leave my bits alone. They should be no different than a utility company -- a utility company doesn't throttle power to air conditioners or whatever, they just sell you the power.

This is their job. If they don't like selling you the pipe, they can either upgrade their inadequate infrastructure, or charge more, or quit and go home.