-->
Save your FREE seat for Streaming Media Connect in November. Register Now!

Netflix to Offer Viewer Control Over Mobile Data Streaming Rates

Article Featured Image

Netflix has been throttling data rates for mobile viewers for years, but it's doing so for their own good, it says. Even better, it will soon let viewers control their own data rates.

Late last week, the Wall Street Journal broke news that Netflix, the leading subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) service, has been secretly throttling video data rates for AT&T and Verizon customers for years. While people first suspected AT&T and Verizon were doing the throttling themselves, the Journal revealed that Netflix is doing so to protect subscribers from overage charges. It doesn't throttle the data rates for Sprint and Verizon customers since those carriers usually don't charge data overage fees.

For over five years, Netflix has been capping AT&T and Verizon mobile data at 600 Kbps. Whether done for a good reason or not, the decision outraged many (including execs at AT&T) since it was done without subscriber knowledge or choice.

Responding quickly, Netflix posted a message to its Media Center blog the same day saying that it will soon offer mobile viewers a "data saver" feature that lets them control their own data use. That should be welcomed by AT&T and Verizon subscribers with unlimited data plans.

"We recognize some members may be less sensitive to data caps or subscribe to mobile data plans from carriers that don’t levy penalties for exceeding caps," wrote Anne Marie Squeo, director of corporate and tech PR at Netflix. "As we develop new technologies, we want to give all our members the choice to adjust their data consumption settings based on their video preferences and sensitivity to their ISPs data overage charges."

The data saver feature will debut in May.

Streaming Covers
Free
for qualified subscribers
Subscribe Now Current Issue Past Issues
Related Articles

The Summer of Streaming Love: Will Netflix Take Over the World?

The origins of the internet date back to hippie-era San Francisco, where the building blocks were created. This summer, online video is set for a similar revolution.

Across Demographics, Netflix Beats Live TV, Finds E-Poll Survey

When viewing a program, people who have streamed a full-length show in the last six months far prefer streaming their content to watching live TV.

Netflix and Univision Partner for 'Reverse Syndication' Deal

In an innovative arrangement, Univision will show the first seasons of two Netflix series, helping Netflix reach Hispanic viewers.

Netflix Adds Cellular Data Usage Controls to Mobile Apps

In a win for AT&T and Verizon customers with unlimited data streaming, Netflix has added data usage controls to its iOS and Android apps.

What Netflix Is Doing Right: Subscribers Love Price, Profiles

A Digitalsmiths report shows why viewers are flocking to the SVOD leader, and also examines viewers' a la carte channel preferences.

Netflix Adoption Leads to Decline in TV Viewing, Finds Report

The subscription video-on-demand leader keeps growing, putting it on a collision course with the networks its relies on for licensed content.

Netflix Leads to Decreased DVD Sales for Movies and TV Shows

The debut of Netflix streaming leads to rapid decreases in spending for physical media. The U.S. and U.K. have both seen DVD sales erode.