Netflix Updates ISP Speed Index, Says ISP Messages Just A Test

Netflix has released its latest ISP Speed Index data right as ISP speeds are a hot button issue in the industry (even more than usual), particularly as they relate to Netflix. If you hadn’t hear...
Netflix Updates ISP Speed Index, Says ISP Messages Just A Test
Written by Chris Crum

Netflix has released its latest ISP Speed Index data right as ISP speeds are a hot button issue in the industry (even more than usual), particularly as they relate to Netflix.

If you hadn’t heard, Netflix was showing Verizon users messages saying, “The Verizon network is crowded right now. Adjusting video for smoother playback.” These appeared as users had issues watching content. Verizon sent the company a cease and desist letter.

Netflix indicates in a blog post that such messages are just part of a “small scale” test it’s running, and it hasn’t determined whether or not it will keep the feature, and roll it out to all users. For now, the test is running through June 16th.

Joris Evers from the company’s communications team writes:

Some broadband providers argue that our actions, and not theirs, are causing a degraded Netflix experience. Netflix does not purposely select congested routes. We pay some of the world’s largest transit networks to deliver Netflix video right to the front door of an ISP. Where the problem occurs is at that door — the interconnection point — when the broadband provider hasn’t provided enough capacity to accommodate the traffic their customer requested.

Some large US ISPs are erecting toll booths, providing sufficient capacity for services requested by their subscribers to flow through only when those services pay the toll. In this way, ISPs are double-dipping by getting both their subscribers and Internet content providers to pay for access to each other. We believe these ISP tolls are wrong because they raise costs, stifle innovation and harm consumers. ISPs should provide sufficient capacity into their network to provide consumers the broadband experience for which they pay.

Here’s a glance at the latest ISP speed index for the U.S.:

Anyone else have trouble watching Orange is the New Black with Time Warner on Friday night?

Image via Netflix

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