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Graph of Netflix speeds shows the importance of net neutrality

knowmore.washingtonpost.com

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Re: Graph of Netflix speeds shows the importance of net neutrality

#3

Post by lotharbot »

I know some websites (like ESPN3) only allow you access if you're on a subscribing ISP.

Could Netflix take a play out of that book and charge a different rate for Comcast customers vs others, and in particular, make it enough of a PR issue that other ISPs would be more willing to cave?

Re: Graph of Netflix speeds shows the importance of net neutrality

#7

Post by kevindication »

gnoway wrote: post #6
imroot wrote: post #5

"The data are from Netflix." Really, Washington Post?!

Is it actually wrong? Data is plural. I kind of assumed it was one of those 'correct grammar' things like 'an historical' that looks wrong but isn't.

Correct, data is a plural. OP either doesn't know that or is making a more nuanced complaint about stodgy old style guides that used Latin to decide things like this.

Re: Graph of Netflix speeds shows the importance of net neutrality

#9

Post by JohnTHaller »

lotharbot wrote: post #3

I know some websites (like ESPN3) only allow you access if you're on a subscribing ISP. Could Netflix take a play out of that book and charge a different rate for Comcast customers vs others, and in particular, make it enough of a PR issue that other ISPs would be more willing to cave?

Netflix shouldn't have caved and should have displayed a simple graphic about the slowness in their player along with the number for Comcast support. Displace the anger and support issues around the slowdown to the proper party, the one that's at fault. Cost them some customers.

Of course, the problem with that is that Comcast has a monopoly in many areas they serve. Just like Time Warner does. And folks simply can't switch. So, even though Comcast's customer satisfaction rates are absolutely abysmal, they don't lose customers over it.

Your solution would make more sense. Netflix should charge Comcast customers more and itemize it on the bills as a 'Comcast Network Slowdown Tax'.

Re: Graph of Netflix speeds shows the importance of net neutrality

#10

Post by gnoway »

JohnTHaller wrote: post #9
lotharbot wrote: post #3

I know some websites (like ESPN3) only allow you access if you're on a subscribing ISP. Could Netflix take a play out of that book and charge a different rate for Comcast customers vs others, and in particular, make it enough of a PR issue that other ISPs would be more willing to cave?

Netflix shouldn't have caved and should have displayed a simple graphic about the slowness in their player along with the number for Comcast support. Displace the anger and support issues around the slowdown to the proper party, the one that's at fault. Cost them some customers. Of course, the problem with that is that Comcast has a monopoly in many areas they serve. Just like Time Warner does. And folks simply can't…

I think that's what we all wanted them to do - except for the frustrating few on here that seem to think what happened was right and natural, at least - but I'm not sure it was the correct thing to do for Netflix. I see this as a 'fix it, then make it better' attempt by Netflix. They stemmed the bleeding with a large (the largest?) subscriber base, and now they are looking for alternative long term solutions through public campaigning, product development and probably political means.

At the end of the day Netflix is a business trying to sell product. Taking their ball and going home when the market bullies them seems like corporate martyrdom to me - not a successful growth strategy.

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