[opendtv] Verizon Points Finger At Netflix | Multichannel

From: Craig Birkmaier <craig@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: OpenDTV Mail List <opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Sat, 12 Jul 2014 08:49:15 -0400
http://www.multichannel.com/news/technology/verizon-points-finger-netflix/375843

Verizon Points Finger At Netflix

In the latest chapter in the ongoing network neutrality debate brewing between 
Netflix and Verizon Communications, the telco posted a blog post Thursday 
claiming that a review conducted by Verizon’s networks operations team found 
that congestion was absent within its network, but did find congestion present 
at the interconnections link used by transit providers selected by Netflix.

“This review confirmed…there was no congestion anywhere within the Verizon 
network,” David Young, Verizon’s vice president of federal regulatory affairs, 
wrote.

“While the links chosen by Netflix were congested (congestion occurs when use 
approaches or reaches 100% capacity during peak usage periods), the links from 
other transit providers (carrying non-Netflix traffic) to Verizon’s network did 
not experience congestion and were performing fine,” he added. “For whatever 
reason (perhaps to cut costs and improve its profitability), Netflix did not 
make arrangements to deliver this massive amount of traffic through connections 
that can handle it.”

He added that Verizon is “working aggressively with Netflix to establish new, 
direct connections from Netflix to Verizon’s network,” in reference to an 
agreement announced in late April. “This doesn’t ‘prioritize’ Netflix traffic 
in any way, but it ensures that their traffic gets on our network through 
direct connections—not middleman networks—that are up to the task,” Young 
wrote. 

Netflix views it differently, claiming that ISPs such as Verizon have let 
peering points degrade, forcing companies such as Netflix to strike paid 
interconnection deals. Netflix, which has reluctantly agreed to such deals with 
Verizon as well as Comcast, prefers that ISPs join Open Connect, a private 
content delivery network that relies on Netflix-supplied edge caches.

In addition to labeling paid peering deals as  an “arbitrary tax” on Netflix 
and other OTT services, Netflix has also urged the FCC to seek “stronger” 
network neutrality rules that incorporate interconnection agreements into those 
rule-making discussions.

Netflix recently halted the test of on-screen messages that pinned the blame 
for degraded streams on ISPs by name, a pilot program that quickly resulted in 
a cease-and-desist letter from Verizon. Netflix ended the trial on June 16, but 
added that it is evaluating a broader rollout.

Update: Netflix issued this statement in response to the Verizon policy blog 
post:
"We'd like to thank Verizon for laying out the issue so nicely. Congestion at 
the interconnection point is controlled by ISPs like Verizon. When Verizon 
fails to upgrade those interconnections, consumers get a lousy experience 
despite paying for more than enough bandwidth to enjoy high-quality Netflix 
video. That's why Netflix is calling for strong net neutrality that covers the 
interconnection needed for consumers to get the quality of INTER-net they pay 
for."



Regards
Craig
[opendtv] Verizon Points Finger At Netflix | Multichannel

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