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Why is Netflix Buffering? Dispelling the Congestion Myth

publicpolicy.verizon.com

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Re: Why is Netflix Buffering? Dispelling the Congestion Myth

#11

Post by kevinskii »

rnovak wrote: post #2

They can claim whatever they want, but when you tunnel Netflix traffic through a VPN so all the ISP see's is encrypted traffic and bandwidth issues disappear, it removes all mystery. I've tried several VPN's to test out my theory, and with each one, as soon as the ISP couldn't inspect traffic, all throttling seem to magically vanish. considering what we're paying for broadband, we should be getting what we pay for wi…

I tried the same thing a couple of years ago and observed the same, and then switched providers.

Re: Why is Netflix Buffering? Dispelling the Congestion Myth

#13

Post by cordite »

kevinskii wrote: post #11
rnovak wrote: post #2

They can claim whatever they want, but when you tunnel Netflix traffic through a VPN so all the ISP see's is encrypted traffic and bandwidth issues disappear, it removes all mystery. I've tried several VPN's to test out my theory, and with each one, as soon as the ISP couldn't inspect traffic, all throttling seem to magically vanish. considering what we're paying for broadband, we should be getting what we pay for wi…

I tried the same thing a couple of years ago and observed the same, and then switched providers.

If only more had that option.

Re: Why is Netflix Buffering? Dispelling the Congestion Myth

#14

Post by random28345 »

rnovak wrote: post #2

They can claim whatever they want, but when you tunnel Netflix traffic through a VPN so all the ISP see's is encrypted traffic and bandwidth issues disappear, it removes all mystery. I've tried several VPN's to test out my theory, and with each one, as soon as the ISP couldn't inspect traffic, all throttling seem to magically vanish. considering what we're paying for broadband, we should be getting what we pay for wi…

> I've tried several VPN's to test out my theory, and with each one, as soon as the ISP couldn't inspect traffic, all throttling seem to magically vanish.

That's not inconsistent with Verizon's statement. Verizon is saying, "we won't accept more traffic directly from Netflix (via their transit providers) until we get more money!". By using a VPN, you're avoiding that direct connection, and traversing a less-loaded link.

Re: Why is Netflix Buffering? Dispelling the Congestion Myth

#17

Post by agwa »

rnovak wrote: post #2

They can claim whatever they want, but when you tunnel Netflix traffic through a VPN so all the ISP see's is encrypted traffic and bandwidth issues disappear, it removes all mystery. I've tried several VPN's to test out my theory, and with each one, as soon as the ISP couldn't inspect traffic, all throttling seem to magically vanish. considering what we're paying for broadband, we should be getting what we pay for wi…

That's because your VPN providers are no doubt using a different transit provider than Netflix (Level 3) so your traffic is bypassing the congested peering points. The peering disputes are affecting not just Netflix traffic, but traffic between Verizon and any site using Level 3 for transit.

(Not to take the blame away from Verizon. I'd love to see them try to use their logic to explain why other, non-Netflix services work like crap from Verizion.)

Re: Why is Netflix Buffering? Dispelling the Congestion Myth

#18

Post by skelsey »

sergiotapia wrote: post #3

It's so strange, I live in Bolivia and Netflix never buffers for me at all. I have a laughable 200kbps real download speed (1768kbps plan) and I only wait for Netflix to load for about 2 seconds on my PS4 and off I go watching on 480SD quality. I would expect the US to be much much better.

No one in the US wants to watch 480 video.

Re: Why is Netflix Buffering? Dispelling the Congestion Myth

#19

Post by azurelogic »

rnovak wrote: post #2

They can claim whatever they want, but when you tunnel Netflix traffic through a VPN so all the ISP see's is encrypted traffic and bandwidth issues disappear, it removes all mystery. I've tried several VPN's to test out my theory, and with each one, as soon as the ISP couldn't inspect traffic, all throttling seem to magically vanish. considering what we're paying for broadband, we should be getting what we pay for wi…

I had this same experience with Comcast.

See also Level 3's blog post calling Verizon and other ISPs out on this BS: http://blog.level3.com/global-connectivity/observations-inte...

Re: Why is Netflix Buffering? Dispelling the Congestion Myth

#20

Post by random28345 »

JimmaDaRustla wrote: post #12

Why is the "transit providers" split into two segments - inbound and outbound? Wouldn't it be the same logical segment and be impacted based on data in both directions?

> Why is the "transit providers" split into two segments - inbound and outbound?

Because they are trying to illustrate how unbalanced the traffic flow is in each direction, to bolster their argument that Verizon shouldn't have to deliver the streams that Verizon customers requested until Netflix gives them more money.

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