Netflix Is the Conspirator Against AT&T And Verizon

Verizon and Sprint are victims of Netflix controversy.

As per an announcement made recently, Netflix Inc. accepted the fact that it was limiting the speeds for video streaming for certain wireless network carriers like Verizon Communications Inc. and AT&T Inc. this was being done so that the data plans could get accommodated. The announcement surfaced almost a week after both the network carriers were accused of manipulating the video streaming speeds.

Netflix came upfront to accept that they were decreasing the video quality for Verizon users and other popular telecom services like AT&T for a time span of five years. As per the streaming giant, the streaming bandwidth for these carriers is limited to 600KB per second, which is extremely slow in contrast to other modern wireless connections.

As per Netflix, if one spends almost two hours to stream High Definition (HD) content on VZ or AT&T then almost 6 gigabytes of data is consumed. This the maximum data allowances for a majority of the consumers. Other wireless network carriers such as Sprint, and T-Mobile have “friendlier customer policy” that slows on the network speed for all those who cross the data caps barrier. On the other hand, Verizon and AT&T consumers have to pay extra for exceeding the data limit, thus the consumer are not really discouraged to use the video service.

The issue got traction last week when the CEO of T-Mobile, Mr. John J. Legere stated that the consumers of Verizon and AT&T get low quality video streaming when using Netflix. However, both network carriers denied the allegations.

When they learnt that Netflix throttles the data, the senior executive vice president of legislative affairs and external at AT&T, Mr. Jim Cicconi stated, “We’re outraged to learn that Netflix is apparently throttling video for their AT&T customers without their knowledge or consent.” A spokesman from Verizon said: “Verizon delivers video content at the resolution provided by the host service, whether that’s Netflix or any other provider.”

The streaming giant also made an announcement that it will launch a data saver feature for smartphone users so that they can monitor the data usage when streaming. This will allow them to create barriers on their own while consuming data. The service will also allow users to alter the resolution in compliance to their data plans. The service is likely to debut in May, 2016.

The telecommunication fraternity is becoming highly competitive since all carriers are striving to increase market share. Verizon and AT&T consumers together are almost three quarter of the wireless subscriptions in the country. Both of the services encounter traffic congestion due to the high number of users.

The consumers on smartphones are used to of HD streaming on the go, thus AT&T and Verizon need to hunt down some alternative where the quality is not compromised and consumers also get what they expect in terms of quality.

Verizon itself is coming up with video streaming platform in recent times thus if the strain causes the masses to switch then it will affect its subscriptions in the long run.