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Netflix throttling video for AT&T, Verizon users
Source: USA Today
Netflix throttling video for AT&T, Verizon users
Mike Snider, USA TODAY 5:09 p.m. EDT March 25, 2016
Netflix says that it has been sending lower quality video to mobile subscribers on AT&T and Verizon networks to help customers avoid racking up steep data charges.
Increased consumption of video on mobile devices has led many Netflix members to worry about surpassing data caps, the streaming video provider said. So more than five years ago, the video service began sending lower resolution feeds to members on mobile networks with data caps.
"We believe restrictive data caps are bad for consumers and the Internet in general, creating a dilemma for those who increasingly rely on their mobile devices for entertainment, work and more," said Anne Marie Squeo, a member of the Netflix corporate communications team, on the Netflix blog. "It’s about striking a balance that ensures a good streaming experience while avoiding unplanned fines from mobile providers."
Netflix is developing a “data saver" feature, due in May, that will let subscribers set the video quality inside their mobile app. The feature will let subscriber members "stream more video under a smaller data plan, or increase their video quality if they have a higher data plan," she said.
The video resolution issue came to a head last week when T-Mobile CEO John Legere posted a video on Twitter saying that AT&T and Verizon customers get lower quality video from Netflix than T-Mobile users do.
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Mike Snider, USA TODAY 5:09 p.m. EDT March 25, 2016
Netflix says that it has been sending lower quality video to mobile subscribers on AT&T and Verizon networks to help customers avoid racking up steep data charges.
Increased consumption of video on mobile devices has led many Netflix members to worry about surpassing data caps, the streaming video provider said. So more than five years ago, the video service began sending lower resolution feeds to members on mobile networks with data caps.
"We believe restrictive data caps are bad for consumers and the Internet in general, creating a dilemma for those who increasingly rely on their mobile devices for entertainment, work and more," said Anne Marie Squeo, a member of the Netflix corporate communications team, on the Netflix blog. "It’s about striking a balance that ensures a good streaming experience while avoiding unplanned fines from mobile providers."
Netflix is developing a “data saver" feature, due in May, that will let subscribers set the video quality inside their mobile app. The feature will let subscriber members "stream more video under a smaller data plan, or increase their video quality if they have a higher data plan," she said.
The video resolution issue came to a head last week when T-Mobile CEO John Legere posted a video on Twitter saying that AT&T and Verizon customers get lower quality video from Netflix than T-Mobile users do.
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Read more: http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/news/2016/03/25/netflix-throttling-video-t-verizon-users/82248762/