Verizon "Testing Video Optimization" Caught Throttling Netflix and Youtube

[DroidModderX]

Here we go again! It looks like Verizon has been caught red handed throttling video from Netflix and Youtube. The Netflix speed test tool "fast.com" has revealed that Big Red is throttling Netflix traffic. Verizon says they are just testing Video Optimization. According to the fast.com users of Verizon LTE are limited to 10Mbps when streaming video. This apparently happens for unlimited users as well as tiered plans and happens regardless of the amount of data you have used for the month. Verizon says that this should not affect video quality which may be true. The only time you may see a significant difference is when using your phone to tether data. Netflix uses 25Mbps to stream in 4K which you won't be able ot do with this throttle. While this may not be a big issue it may be signaling more sever throttles coming down the line. Should Verizon be allowed to pic and choose which services get full speed and which ones do not?

via AndroidPolice

Shout out to Xeene for the heads up!

 

[Miklb58]

Just for fun I ran the test at both fast.com, and using the speedtest app on my phone.
Using WiFi my results were
Fast.com - 15Mbps
Speedtest - 28Mbps
I know that this story is about cellular data speed, but where I live, I don't have a data connection through Vzw.
But it makes me wonder, if even on Wifi, I see an almost 50% reduction in D/L speed at the Fast.com site, how reliable is the test.

Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk

 

[xeene]

My results were inconsistent either. Fast was faster on cellular signal while Speedtest was faster on wifi.

 

[johnomaz]

I've used both on many many desktops and they are usually pretty similar in speeds.

 

[boidsonly]

For those of you wanting to track your speeds from your ISP, use the FCC app found in the Playstore. You can make complaints to them based on the results of your tests vs. what your ISP states your rated speeds are/you are paying for. Works for me. I've called them on Charter twice and both times Charter bent over backwards to get it staight, even if only for a short while.

 

[me just sayin]

I look at it this way, as long as there is no buffering when I watching a video, I could careless about the speed. besides, on a small screen, 480, 720, and 1080 all basically look the same.

 

[Gremlin]

Noticed today,, quality of the video went down.. I guess they are getting ready for net neutrality crap..

 

[liftedplane]

I look at it this way, as long as there is no buffering when I watching a video, I could careless about the speed. besides, on a small screen, 480, 720, and 1080 all basically look the same.

There's definitely a big difference between a 480 and a 720 on a phone with a 2k or 4k screen.

whatever they are doing, it's not good.

 

[Gremlin]

There was buffering and it was annoying..

 

[kodiak799]

I look at it this way, as long as there is no buffering when I watching a video, I could careless about the speed. besides, on a small screen, 480, 720, and 1080 all basically look the same.

Yeah, 10mbps is more than sufficient for 1080p....I have no idea why anyone needs 4k video on a mobile device....In the future, VR might make that a different story.

Unless we aren't talking streaming and they are throttling the download (otherwise offline play for Netflix further makes this a non-issue).

 

[bkdodger]

I'm on T-MOBILE and I can see the difference when I have HD streaming on or disabled when testing though different apps like YouTube

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[kodiak799]

I'm on T-MOBILE and I can see the difference when I have HD streaming on or disabled when testing though different apps like YouTube

1080p (which Netflix recommends 7Mbps to stream Super HD, 5Mbps for HD) or 720p vs. 480p, sure.

But no way can anyone tell the difference between 4k and 1080p on even a tablet, unless they hold it like a foot from their face.

 

[kodiak799]

Now, granted, VZW allows a good bit of tethering on some of the newer plans, and so people could legitimately be looking to tether a 4k video to their tv. But I don't think any of their plans go over 25GB of tethering a month, which would only get you about 30 minutes of a 4k movie! I think these newer plans said you COULD be throttled after 22GB, so not much of a leg to stand on here.

So, once again, either this crying is coming from abusers or [equally likely] VZW had problems with their test at 10Mbps.

 

[bkdodger]

1080p (which Netflix recommends 7Mbps to stream Super HD, 5Mbps for HD) or 720p vs. 480p, sure.

But no way can anyone tell the difference between 4k and 1080p on even a tablet, unless they hold it like a foot from their face.

1080p which is what I notice ... especially when viewing on this S8 plus ...

I think everyone should complain regardless there should not be throttling if you have a plan which is eligible




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[kodiak799]

I think everyone should complain regardless there should not be throttling if you have a plan which is eligible

Why? It was said they were aiming to throttle at 10Mbps on streaming video, which is more than enough for Super HD. That's kind of like saying it's wrong for auto companies to put a governor on your car limiting it to 120mph.