Large-Scale "Internet Rationing" Possible, Experts Warn

wnd.com ^ | 3/27/2020 | Tyler Durden

[rktman]

Netflix app downloads have exploded across Europe over the last several weeks as "Netflix and chill" "Netflix and quarantine" has been all the rage during countrywide lockdowns in Italy, France, Spain, and the UK.

We noted last Thursday that Netflix had to reduce traffic to its European networks by 25% for 30 days to preserve internet functionality as streaming traffic surged among tens of millions of people in quarantine.

Days after Netflix pledged to reduce streaming traffic, experts are saying that European countries could start rolling out large-scale "internet rationing" to prioritize critical apps and websites.

"If we end up in a situation where worldwide, 850m children start to receive lessons virtually for an extended period of time, then networks might want to start prioritizing video traffic over gaming traffic," said Matthew Howett, principal analyst at Assembly, who spoke with The Telegraph.

British internet provider BT Group said their communication network could handle the extreme levels of data of millions surfing the internet while in quarantine. But they warned that video streaming services could start bogging down the system and leave critical networks, reserved for emergency services, exposed to slow speeds.

Besides Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and YouTube are other streaming services limiting ultra-high definition videos to European users to preserve the functionality of the internet.

The French and UK governments have reportedly asked Disney to suspend the launch of its new streaming service in both countries on March 24.

[PIF]

FYI there was nothing that Eddy Snowjob revealed to the public that had not been in the public domain for years, decades, and documented in obscure books available on Amazon. What he did reveal was Methods and Means, but only to the Chinese, the Russians and AQ.

[taxcontrol]

Yep - standard capitalistic pricing model. Charge what people will pay.

[caver]

Why don’t we just limit Netflix?

[Svartalfiar]

The French and UK governments have reportedly asked Disney to suspend the launch of its new streaming service in both countries on March 24.

...So what happened with this? I mean, Tyler wrote this article on the 27th, so he should have known when happened on the 24th, yes?

[Svartalfiar]

I've read 4G antennas can be spaced 1-2 miles and 5G needs to be closer to 500 yards.

Cellular 5G signals generally will operate in the EHF range (extremely high freq, 30-300GHz). 4G LTE generally hits around UHF/some SHF frequencies (Ultra-high/super-high freqs, 500MHz-5GHz).

Higher frequencies have smaller wavelengths, meaning you can use a shorter antenna, and they carry many more waves for a given time frame. (Frequency is just the inverse of time, 1/s.) So, you can fit many times more data in the same amount of time as you can for lower frequencies. Every multiple of 10 in your Hertz means ten times more/less information. Going from 4G to 5G is a similar multiple to going from dial-up to 4G. You may not notice anything on FR or simple websites, but if you game or stream a lot of HD, any big file up/downloading, you will definitely notice improvements.

BUT, higher frequencies don't penetrate nearly as well. You'll see this in your home wifi, if you have a dual-band router that has two networks, 2.4 and 5GHz. The 2.4 network is slower, but has better coverage in the rest of the house. The 5 network will have higher bandwidth, support HD streaming/gaming better, but you get worse signal farther from the router, or as you put a wall or two between it and you.
Likewise, submarine antennas. they are transmitting in the ELF range (extremely low freq, 30-300Hz), so they have antennae that can be a mile long. BUT, transmissions can go through the ocean, through mountains, etc. Data rate is very slow though, only passing bytes of data in the same time. Which is why usually messages on that are limited to telling the subs to surface for longer transmissions on a shorter-wave antenna.

So yes, 5G will support more data passing through so seem 'faster' for some applications, but needs antenna points to be much closer to the devices. Even 500 yards may be kinda far, depending on design/power.

[rktman]

Uh, cause they "employ" Mr & mx obxxx. 😒💸

[rktman]

If PDJT had been on top of it.

[Svartalfiar]

Why don’t we just limit Netflix?

Because first, that would be the ISPs doing so, not the government.

Secondly, do you remember that big 'freedom of internet' fight? A big part of that was ISPs trying to limit data for the big streamers - Netflix, Hulu, Youtube, etc. And they got shot down for attempting to 'censor' the bandwidth users.

[Svartalfiar]

I’ve noticed our Internet/WiFi is struggling occasionally.

Chances are, that's more likely your wifi settings / neighborhood RF interference. Do you have anything hardwired? Try plugging a laptop straight into the router and see if your internets is still struggling.

If it's still bad, visit https://www.speedtest.net/, and record your speeds ~3 times, 2-3 times a day. (Make sure you're on wired connection for this!) Compare those numbers to the ones you're paying for (50/75/100Mbit up/down) and complain if you aren't getting at least close to what you pay for. If it's close, they aren't gonna do anything. But several factors off, you should get upgraded gear or switch to a cheaper plan. They won't do a refund. And make sure your numbers line up - Mb (megabit) and MB (megabyte) are 8x different!

If the wired connection is good, but wireless is not, do a web search for "router settings to improve connection" or "speed up wireless router". Changing your channel can easily help, since all your neighbors might be on the same channel (usually 1-11, or auto). Also, if it can, make sure your router/devices are using 802.11n, it might be set to 802.11 a/b/g, which are slower. Do n-only if everything you have still works. And there's a bunch of other little tweaks that can help, depending on how technical you want to get.

[cymbeline]

“but if you game or stream a lot of HD, any big file up/downloading”

The relevance of 5G is higher speed in the wireless part of a communication. Data rates over fiber are in multi-gigabytes per second and such rates are valuable as you get further into the backbone. Most individual users will be in heaven with an 8 megabyte stream which would deliver the highest video resolution available.

Over-the-air communication is always going to be slower wire (fiber) communication because a given fiber is shielded from other transmissions.

Carriers are investing in fiber because of its huge capacity advantage over wireless.

[moovova]

Thanks for the suggestions. We’re not at the hair-pulling stage yet, but you made a good point with the hardwire vs WiFi. It seems to be happening the most with the WiFi. Our router is from the Dark Ages...so it’s probably the culprit. Amazon Fire box is WiFi and we get those little pulsing dots as the device seems to be waiting for the signal. It has occasionally failed to connect. Wife also moves upstairs closer to the router with her laptop when she’s got all of her church friends on Zoom or whatever it is they use. There’s usually 12-15 doing bible study.

Thanks again...I’m gonna try those things you mentioned.

[1Old Pro]

thanks for the comments

[vpintheak]

Here in Fairbanks, we have feet of snow, and it’s cold and miserable. Hard to get out and do things. Netflix and chill is the word of the day.

[caver]

You have the best answer.

[rktman]

LOL! Do I win control of the interweb for the day?

[DesertRhino]

“How would this differ from in-person lessons?”

Solid point

[SunkenCiv]

I watched a bit of a couple of Front Page Tech vids on YT this morning, before I got up for the day. I can barely stand to listen to the guy, but on one of his nonsequitur rants he said YouTube was pushing most users down to 480p until the streaming volume declines to normal levels.

[ican'tbelieveit]

Stupid governments. Tell ppl to stay home, and are shocked at what they do at home? Seriously, if you really want to stop this disease, placate ppl. Let them stream.

It would be better to partner with streaming providers to play your ads. Prime has had a few Corona PSAs.

[Berosus]

My Internet company has just sent me an email reminding me that I can upgrade to their top speed for 60 days at no extra cost. If people staying home are causing a shortage of bandwidth, it hasn’t happened in Kentucky yet.

[rktman]

Nor at our house. Maybe it’s an ‘eu’ thing. I upgraded to the 100 buhzillion byte thing but when I check the ACTUAL up speed-——— about 39 m through the wireless.