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Armstead

(47,803 posts)
Sun Feb 23, 2014, 07:48 PM Feb 2014

Netflix Caves.....Let the Internet Extortion Begin!

http://www.deadline.com/2014/02/netflix-agrees-to-pay-comcast-for-broadband-access-report/

UPDATE: Netflix Agrees To Pay Comcast For Broadband Access; Public Knowledge Calls For FCC, DOJ Action
By JEN YAMATO | Sunday February 23, 2014 @ 2:53pm PSTTags: Comcast, Netflix, Online Streaming Deals
inShare2
Comments 27

netflix_logo2UPDATE, 2:53 PM: DC-based public interest group Public Knowledge raised its concerns over the Netflix-Comcast deal in a statement Sunday. Said John Bergmayer, Senior Staff Attorney at Public Knowledge:

“No one on the outside knows what is happening in this market. However, it is clear that residential ISPs should be in the business of charging their users for access the Internet, not of charging the rest of the Internet for access to their users. This ensures that they are putting the needs of their users first.

From what information is public, it appears that the largest ISPs are demanding payment from networks that deliver content and services that residential broadband consumers demand. Because the large residential ISPs themselves are the ones keeping the terms of their deals secret, it is raises the question of whether they have something to hide.

One way to prevent competitive problems from arising, and to reduce the need for future regulation, is to prevent ISPs from holding other networks hostage. This raises concerns in light of the proposed Comcast/Time Warner Cable merger.

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http://www.deadline.com/2014/02/netflix-agrees-to-pay-comcast-for-broadband-access-report/

There may be smoother streaming ahead for Netflix subscribers as Netflix has agreed to pay Comcast for direct broadband access. Comcast had previously denied Netflix’s request to connect to its broadband network free of charge, sending Netflix users’ streaming content through third party internet providers to access Comcast’s network. Customer streaming speeds suffered, dropping by 27% since October. Per WSJ, Netflix CEO Reed Hastings and Comcast CEO Brian Roberts worked out a long-term “paid peering” deal at last month’s CES in an agreement that could mean more spending for Netflix as other broadband providers including AT&T, Verizon, and new Comcast acquisition Time Warner Cable also hold out for payment. In a joint statement issued Sunday morning, the companies formally announced their new “mutually beneficial interconnection agreement”: “Working collaboratively over many months, the companies have established a more direct connection between Netflix and Comcast, similar to other networks,


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Armstead

(47,803 posts)
5. Opening the gate to internet becoming just like cable
Sun Feb 23, 2014, 08:11 PM
Feb 2014

Providers decide who gets decent carriage, based on price (and probably common ownership).

Heading down a dangrous road.

PoliticAverse

(26,366 posts)
7. According to the articles I've seen Netflix was paying Cogent for internet access but
Sun Feb 23, 2014, 08:17 PM
Feb 2014

wanted more direct access to it's customers so now it is bypassing Cogent and paying Comcast
for more direct access. Do people think providers like Netflix get free Internet access?

Beartracks

(12,809 posts)
4. I thought the Netflix Caves are where they keep the GOOD movies hidden.
Sun Feb 23, 2014, 08:09 PM
Feb 2014



Joking aside, it would suck if Netflix is ultimately forced over time to raise its rates to cable-provider levels.

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PoliticAverse

(26,366 posts)
8. Netflix was paying Cogent for Internet access, if they pay Comcast the same or less why would rates
Sun Feb 23, 2014, 08:18 PM
Feb 2014

go up?

defacto7

(13,485 posts)
6. Netflix has always been a corporate shill.
Sun Feb 23, 2014, 08:12 PM
Feb 2014

I would expect this from them before anyone else. They are just a guilty of net filtering and blocking system schemes that don't comply to M$ and Io$ directives. They've been paid to dance the dance. It's unfortunate their biggest purpose in this context is to create the illusion of caving in, but considering their history this is just another ploy to show their solidarity with Internet suppression.

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