Netflix Admits to Throttling Mobile Video, Announces 'Data Saver' Feature for Smartphone Apps

[iMember]

You say "admitted" as if they've done something wrong. You would expect them to stream lower quality on cellular networks. Other video services like YouTube do the same thing. It's common courtesy.

So you saying the police should stop arresting people who committed crimes because they are so many others who are doing it?
YouTube it's free service and Netflix its paid service, it's not the same thing
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This story is trying to paint Netflix as bad guys, but of course you can't stream full 1080p on a limited data plan.

Be
Because they are
http://extratorrent.cc/article/4899/netflix+started+sending+out+dmca+takedown+requests.html
Based on Macrumors article, the way i see it.. Netflix is totally ripping off its costumers!

 

[jthompson666]

I've been a Netflix customer for several years. I assumed mobile bandwidth was limited, just as many other services do.

Who, in their right mind, streams HD video over their cellular connection, even it is unlimited.

I have a two hour train commute to work which involves crossing an international border (NI to RoI). I stream Plex or Netflix on my 6s Plus pretty much the entire journey both ways. When I use 360p on Plex the picture looks quite awful - I usually force enable a low bitrate 720p to use as a baseline and I generally can stream mid-bitrate 1080p. The difference is very noticeable lots of key details simply aren't visable below 720p on that size of screen. Therefore I would be very annoyed if Netflix deliberately constrained the quality of the content.

Granted this is only possible because I have unlimited data (and unlimited roaming data to most of Europe, the USA and many other places), I firmly believe however that the user should choose and content should only be streamed at a lower quality automatically when network conditions demand it.

I do find it ironic that as a 3 UK customer, I can stream unlimited data over the AT&T network faster and cheaper than one of their own customers. We also get free roaming on the T-Mobile LTE network and I pay £12.90 / month ($18.50). Crazy world

 

[err404]

People should be thankful that Netflix tried to keep them from the greed of Verizon and AT&T overages. I solely blame Verizon & AT&T for caping data. The caps are BS they know it.

No, it is not really BS. The magic word is spectrum. Due to technical limitations along with FCC regulations, there is a finite amount of wireless bandwidth available in a geographic area. It is also a lot smaller than you probably think. This is very difficult to increase. And no, you can not simply throw money at the problem to fix it.
The reality is that if we all had unlimited data and streaming services all ran at full quality on mobile, the network would crumble. Nobody would be able to get that full quiality stream and even basic web browsing would suffer.
You can complain all you want, but the technology for what you are after really isn't available yet.

 

[redscull]

But when T-Mobile does it, calls it Binge-On, and tells you that they won't even charge you for the data used, everyone screams Net Neutrality.. And oh yeah, they even give you the ability to disable it, something NetFlix has not been providing to AT&T and Verizon users. *facepalm*

It's very different when you throttle your own service's content vs selectively throttling the content of others' services. Binge-On raises questions of Net Neutrality because T-Mobile was deciding which content providers, all unrelated to T-Mobile, you had full speed access to. That can be viewed as them showing favoritism and potentially downgrading one service to the point that it makes potential customers of that service opt for a better performing competitor instead. Netflix doesn't hurt anyone except potentially themselves by throttling their own content.

 

[C DM]

I don't see the problem.

If they didn't do this and tons of people got huge bills at the end of the month, people would be up in arms how Netflix was negligent and they should have "known better" to protect the consumer.

People should be thankful that Netflix tried to keep them from the greed of Verizon and AT&T overages. I solely blame Verizon & AT&T for caping data. The caps are BS they know it.

But when Apple does something like restrict large app downloads on cellular networks then people are offended and can't understand how Apple dares to do something like that and not let them decide for themselves.
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You say "admitted" as if they've done something wrong. You would expect them to stream lower quality on cellular networks. Other video services like YouTube do the same thing. It's common courtesy.

Ask virtually any network administrator and they will tell you that they reserve the right to limit bandwidth to any customer in order to maintain the overall stability and accessibility of the network for their customer base at large. Bandwidth monitoring and control, when needed, is an important part of any network.

Funny how they decide they can do it for some customers but not others.

 

[bushido]

nothing to even consider in Germany. The most i can get is a 5 GB plan and it costs a fortune. Once I clicked on a YouTube Video by mistake and I freaked out like back in the days of the first mobile handsets when you clicked on the "wap" button by mistake.

I wish Netflix would implement offline playback like Amazon & SkyGo

 

[nagromme]

Netflix secretly throttled my "unlimited" DVD plan back in the day, and got caught, and had to add fine print admitting it, but kept on doing it. I left. They want you to hang onto DVDs for a few days before sending them back, and if you watch too many the day you get them, they notice they're being returned too promptly and they start to slow down sending more to keep you within their secret monthly limit.

But this stream "throttling" seems reasonable, and doesn't stop me considering trying their streaming service some time. The fact that they only do it on certain carriers with more cost risk makes it seem like it truly is for the customer benefit, and not some evil scheme. I'm tentatively siding with Netflix here.

 

[Zoboomafoo]

The difference is that Netflix is the owner and distributor of the data that they are throttling. T-Mobile is a pipe owner who is throttling other peoples data as they see fit to best suit their network. Huge difference if you ask me

It's interesting this seemingly has less outrage than T-Mobile's (unless I missed it). I wonder if Netflix is perceived as a product that brings real enjoyment whereas cell providers simply provide a basic utility at this point. I certainly *like* netflix more than any cell provider, so I think I'd give them more slack?

 

[12vElectronics]

nothing to even consider in Germany. The most i can get is a 5 GB plan and it costs a fortune. Once I clicked on a YouTube Video by mistake and I freaked out like back in the days of the first mobile handsets when you clicked on the "wap" button by mistake.

I wish Netflix would implement offline playback like Amazon & SkyGo

Not perfect, but we're pretty fortunate here in the USA..

 

[zaphon]

It's very different when you throttle your own service's content vs selectively throttling the content of others' services. Binge-On raises questions of Net Neutrality because T-Mobile was deciding which content providers, all unrelated to T-Mobile, you had full speed access to. That can be viewed as them showing favoritism and potentially downgrading one service to the point that it makes potential customers of that service opt for a better performing competitor instead. Netflix doesn't hurt anyone except potentially themselves by throttling their own content.

Sure, believe what you want. They claim they were doing it for the good of you to prevent you from going over your limits (which how they knew I didn't have unlimited with AT&T or Verizon is beyond me).. Binge-On I can opt out of and I do on all 3 of my lines, I pay for unlimited, give me full 1080p please. If I was on AT&T or Verizon, it would be impossible to opt-out of, and I find it hard to believe AT&T and Verizon weren't aware of this. I understand what the intentions of Net Neutrality are, and I still don't believe for 1 second that Binge-On violates it. But that's my opinion, and laws are written in such a way that it's a matter of interpretation.

Besides, wasn't Google the one who was complaining about Binge-On? Didn't they just go live on it a week or two ago? Clearly something changed..

 

[knemonic]

*sniff sniff* you smell that rabbit?

Laawssuuit

 

[AManInACan]

Who, in their right mind, streams HD video over their cellular connection, even it is unlimited.

Nobody needs to stream HD to their 4.7" phone screen, but somehow many people expect it and have no concern for the amount of data it would unnecessarily consume on the mobile networks, slowing others and ultimately driving the price of unlimited service up. I'm amazed that people think that I should pay the same amount to read e-mail, Facebook and sports scores as someone who lets their kids stream 2-3 hours/day of video over the cell network. Data does have a cost.

I think the "outrage" in this case is that Netflix chose AT&T and Verizon customers to throttle to a more severe level than others without anyone knowing they were doing it. There will be a vigorous discussion, but unless a customer somehow can prove "damages" in court there won't be anything else that comes of it.

 

[JustThinkin']

Just about every video company throttles on mobile. This isn't new. People saying they should demand refunds are being ridiculous. If you didn't like the service/video quality you didn't have to pay for it. Full stop. I'm tired of the sue happy culture developing in our society, unfortunately pushed by popular reality tv presidential candidates.

Where have you been for the last 50 years?

 

[tooloud10]

This story is trying to paint Netflix as bad guys, but of course you can't stream full 1080p on a limited data plan.

Sure you can, and as a consumer, it's my choice what I use my data plan for, not theirs.

 

[nsayer]

When you're viewing video on a 4" screen on in an airport departure lounge, do you really need it to be better than 600 kbps anyway?

If they were throttling video quality to mobile devices connected via WiFi, I'd be a little more put out. After all, I could be using AirPlay to beam the video to a proper TV if I were using WiFi.
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Netflix is pretty cavalier about "knowing" what's best for their customers

You know why?

Because they have tens of millions of them that they serve daily. Because they A/B test stuff with their customer base continuously.

Like most large enterprises with large customer (or indirect customer) bases, they actually do know what's good for their customers - the proof of that is that they continue to be profitable and grow their customer base.

 

[macduke]

Where have you been for the last 50 years?

Nonexistent for 20 and then alive for 30. I figured someone would call me out for saying developing. It has definitely been getting worse with Donald Trump saying he's going to sue everyone for everything, even things protected by freedom of speech, and change the laws so lawsuits are easier. Definitely a trend in the wrong direction that has been ramping up as of late.

 

[tl01]

I really want to get worked up over this but I think of all the video content that has been consumed over cellular and wonder if all the people who watched that content wished that had paid more to see the same content at a higher quality? I know the vast majority of the streaming via cellular from my Netflix account is done by my kids. And they sure don't feel put out.

 

[bruinsrme]

I would like to have to the ability to chose the quality.
For a movie to occupy my time I wouldn't hesitate to view it 240p.

 

[err404]

I understand what the intentions of Net Neutrality are, and I still don't believe for 1 second that Binge-On violates it.

The reason Binge-On sets a bad precedent for net neutrality is that it provides special privileges for services they support. If a new-comer service wants to compete in the same space, they would need to be added to Binge-On or risk customers avoiding the service due to the bandwidth costs.
So far T-Mobile has been good about setting up services, but what happens when the refuse to allow somebody? Are they legally required to add everyone? What if your home wired service tries to do the same thing?
Imagine a world where Amazon has free bandwidth but Netfix hits your cap.

 

[ironpony]

I've never had a problem that I noticed (ATT/unlimited) but just the thought of it is crap on AT&T's part, Netflix I think I understand the trying to save their customers money by saving money themselves ... throttling. Wait it all sounds like crap!
[doublepost=1458946627][/doublepost]Instead of finding workable solutions to the data and cap "non" problem they find a solution to collect more money.

 

[DUCKofD3ATH]

So 5 years of degraded video quality due to less bandwidth, while still paying the full price. I'd demand some form of refund if I were a customer.

"Degraded video quality"? On an iPhone-sized screen? I'd be shocked if anyone noticed that Netflix was throttling the video.

 

[CEmajr]

They're definitely wrong. Consumers should've been presented with the choice of whether to stream degraded video when using the app. Netflix doesn't know what everyone's data plan is and shouldn't assume so by throttling all users from those carriers.

 

[rockosmodurnlif]

What Netflix won't let you do, is download over wifi to store on mobile device to watch when on a mobile network

 

[Michael Goff]

So you saying the police should stop arresting people who committed crimes because they are so many others who are doing it?
YouTube it's free service and Netflix its paid service, it's not the same thing
[doublepost=1458922560][/doublepost]
Be
Because they are
http://extratorrent.cc/article/4899/netflix+started+sending+out+dmca+takedown+requests.html
Based on Macrumors article, the way i see it.. Netflix is totally ripping off its costumers!

The article mentions them trying to protect their content and following laws. How dare they.

 

[unplugme71]

This story is trying to paint Netflix as bad guys, but of course you can't stream full 1080p on a limited data plan.

Says who? Why not?

I can stream any quality I want so long as my device supports it and if the content provider allows me to choose the resolution with my limited data plan.