Comcast vs. Netflix: Is this really about Net neutrality?

cnet.com ^ | May 15, 2014 | Marguerite Reardon

[Las Vegas Dave]

If you noticed more buffering and sputtering when streaming video from Netflix a few months ago, you weren't alone. But who was really to blame? Your broadband provider or Netflix?

Netflix, which earlier this year reluctantly agreed to pay interconnection fees to broadband providers, has suggested that Comcast is to blame because it's violating principles of Net neutrality, which are all about keeping the Internet free and open.

Comcast has vigorously denied these assertions. Still, questions remain and confusion abounds over how the two ideas are linked or whether they should be linked at all. The confusion deepened with statements earlier this year by Netflix CEO Reed Hastings, who called on the FCC to adopt "stronger Net neutrality" regulation to ensure Netflix subscribers get flawless access to their streaming video.

So it comes as little surprise that as people try to understand the Net neutrality debate that's taking shape in Washington, D.C., right now, they would confuse it with the public dispute between Netflix and Comcast over interconnection fees.

That debate comes to a head Thursday as the Federal Communications Commission holds an open meeting to consider a controversial proposal regarding its Net neutrality rules.

[Las Vegas Dave]

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LasVegasDave.

[Biggirl]

Another possible “see you in court” situation.

[Alex Murphy]

If you noticed more buffering and sputtering when streaming video from Netflix a few months ago, you weren't alone. But who was really to blame? Your broadband provider or Netflix? Netflix, which earlier this year reluctantly agreed to pay interconnection fees to broadband providers, has suggested that Comcast is to blame because it's violating principles of Net neutrality, which are all about keeping the Internet free and open.

Comcast has vigorously denied these assertions. Still, questions remain and confusion abounds over how the two ideas are linked or whether they should be linked at all. The confusion deepened with statements earlier this year by Netflix CEO Reed Hastings, who called on the FCC to adopt "stronger Net neutrality" regulation to ensure Netflix subscribers get flawless access to their streaming video.

PFL

[proxy_user]

There are a number of complicated issues.

Neither Netflix nor an ISP has any control over the broad Internet backbone that links their networks. It is up to packets to seek out the best route on the backbone, and they may go through equipment owned by a variety of organizations.

One approach would be to cut out the backbone and have Netflix hook up directly to an ISP, so all the routing would be under the control of these two alone. That would probably require a payment by Netflix to the ISP, or maybe the other way around, depending on who got the upper hand.

Would that violate net neutrality? Or does net neutrality apply only to backbone routers? If the ISP sped up Netflix packets within its own network, would that mean other web services would be slower? Or could they give all packets the same speed, but get better results by eliminating potential bottlenecks in the backbone?

Stay tuned...

[R_Kangel]

.... Unfortunately and coincidentally most of the FCC execs are former execs and shills from Comcast. So .... In effect ... now you have Comcast overseeing Comcast. Nope .... no conflict of interest there!!!

[NYRepublican72]

Pay-to-play or prioritize is just another sleazy way these deep-pocketed corporate interests stiffle competition from upstarts.

The end result is the death of the free exchange of ideas on the Internet.

Since the big media conglomerates tilt left, we all know what the end result will be.

[NYRepublican72]

Comcast just plain sucks. You’re already paying them for service. They should not be allowed to prioritize your internet. It’s just another way for them to make $1.4 billion next quarter instead of $1.38 billion.

Before you attack me, we’re not really talking about a free market situation. It’s generally Comcast vs. DSL in just about every one of its markets. When you add local governemnt franchise fees to the equation it’s basically a regulated duopoly in most places.

[Boogieman]

“Neither Netflix nor an ISP has any control over the broad Internet backbone that links their networks. It is up to packets to seek out the best route on the backbone, and they may go through equipment owned by a variety of organizations.”

No, but an ISP like Comcast does have the ability to throttle back individual subscriber’s data usage, and usage from specific sources. So they could be mucking with Netflix that way, even if they are denying it. ISPs have been known to do that in the past, with users who use streaming video sites, or data-intensive online games.

[Political Junkie Too]

A friend of mine was trying to watch some MLS Soccer matches on his computer last weekend. He has Comcast, and his streaming was also stuttering. In his case, he wasn't watching Netflix.

How much of this was really his neighbors also streaming on the same sub-net, and he just ran into capacity issues in his neighborhood?

-PJ

[blueplum]

I was having this sputtering and freezing for months. Mostly gave up on watching Netflix but one day out of frustration I finally called them. The teckie wizard walked me through how to download a software version update for the Samsung smart player box. (settings, update) Voila’ no more sputtering, no more signon screens, no more freezing.

[Ray76]

The problem with Comcast is that they are an ISP AND a cable TV company. There is no problem with throttling if it is done for network management purposes, there is a problem if it is done for the purpose of favoring their cable TV business.

Comcast needs to divest itself of either its ISP business or its cable TV business.

[IYAS9YAS]

My bet is Comcast is pucking things up. I only say this because I have DSL via Centurylink, which comes in at a whopping 12mbps, and wifi within the home, and I have no delivery or buffering issues with Netflix.

[Boogieman]

“Comcast needs to divest itself of either its ISP business or its cable TV business.”

But then they couldn’t bundle them together to provide us with such low, low prices!!! /supersarc

[bert]

Comcast is an American enemy

Comcast is owned by the DNC and is the principle propaganda organ

[

[pierrem15]

Yup. Soon it'l cost you $40 a month just to get text-- You want images with your html? That'll be extra! YouTube, NetFlix, Amazon? Double extra!

Of course, all will be included with the ComCast $250.00 month NetORooter plan...

[pierrem15]

And how much of it is due to a monopoly crony capitalist company that doesn’t fix its infrastructure and doesn’t give a rat’s patooty?

[pierrem15]

Neither Netflix nor an ISP has any control over the broad Internet backbone that links their networks.

You can bet any company that buys as much bandwidth as NetFlix has ironclad quality assurance guarantees from its providers.

The problem is that tiny pipe from the CO to your home owned by the monopoly cable company or telco.

Look up the "fun" Google has had with local regulators and their telco buddies trying to introduce gigabit home broadband.

[pierrem15]

Bingo.

[napscoordinator]

I never thought I would be so glad to have Verizon then reading these comments. We do have a choice between Verizon Fios or Comcast. We chose Verizon but always think about changing to Comcast....no longer. We will stay with Verizon Fios.