Netflix signs long-term deal to gain access to Comcast's full unthrottled broadband network

Netflix signs long-term deal to gain access to Comcast's full unthrottled broadband network
Netflix has announced some truly breaking news this weekend, signing a long-term deal with Comcast that will ensure full access to the service provider's unthrottled broadband network, and provide a smooth experience for its streaming customers due to guaranteed throughput.

The news comes just months after Internet providers fought successfully to end net neutrality, and just days after Comcast agreed to purchase Time Warner Cable for $45 billion, essentially creating a monopoly for Internet and cable in the U.S.



Comcast is just one of a number of ISPs that have been seeing clogged networks and slower speeds for bandwidth hogs like Netflix, causing interruptions for customers, especially those trying to stream in HD or 4K. Additionally, Netflix connected to Comcast through a third-party, Cogent Communications, which led to added "traffic jams," especially during key times like the release of House of Cards season 2. Rather than pay a third-party to connect, Netflix will now deliver their content directly to Comcast, most likely at a higher base quality than they were getting previously. This is great for consumers.

CEO Reed Hastings allegedly did not want performance to drop even further, which could lead to questioning of the Netflix brand rather than the ISPs. By some reports, Netflix accounts for 30 percent of all U.S. Internet peak traffic, by far the most of any service.

Netflix has been trying to have its servers connected to ISP networks, for free, and has been successful with some smaller providers in the U.S. and overseas. The majors, however, like Comcast, TWC, AT&T and Verizon all wanted a fee due to the heavy load of traffic. Following the Comcast deal, Netflix will likely sign similar agreements with the rest of the providers.

Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 23 Feb 2014 21:28
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Comcast Netflix
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  • 15 comments
  • lamain

    So ISP's are not only charging the customers for access to the internet but are also charging the content providers. So if the content providers were not willing to pay then the ISP is not relay giving me access to the internet. Just the parts that pay.

    Net neutrality can't come fast enough.

    23.2.2014 21:45 #1

  • Jemborg

    Originally posted by lamain: Net neutrality can't come fast enough. Hang on, isn't this extortion based on the loss of net neutrality?


    Its a lot easier being righteous than right.


    23.2.2014 22:06 #2

  • lamain

    Originally posted by Jemborg: Originally posted by lamain: Net neutrality can't come fast enough. Hang on, isn't this extortion based on the loss of net neutrality?

    we never really had net neutrality the FCC just tried to put it in place. After the courts throw it out the FCC said they are working rewriting it. I am just saying it can't come fast enough.

    24.2.2014 01:32 #3

  • Jemborg

    Originally posted by lamain: Originally posted by Jemborg: Originally posted by lamain: Net neutrality can't come fast enough. Hang on, isn't this extortion based on the loss of net neutrality?

    we never really had net neutrality the FCC just tried to put it in place. After the courts throw it out the FCC said they are working rewriting it. I am just saying it can't come fast enough.
    Fingers crossed.

    Its a lot easier being righteous than right.


    24.2.2014 04:50 #4

  • molsen

    Comcast are a bunch of crooks.

    24.2.2014 11:09 #5

  • SuckRaven

    What if Netflix became an ISP? That would really solidify their position to deliver their own content over their own lines. Oh wait...the telco monopolies would never let that happen. Instead, they "regulate" the bandwith of a certain type of content, to the detriment of people who would like to use that content to its full potential (picture/sound quality). Maybe Google will expand its fiber internet quickly, so we can give our money to them instead of Verizon/ATT (and lesser ISPs that use the backbone of the 2 big guys).

    SuckRaven

    24.2.2014 11:20 #6

  • dEwMe

    Originally posted by molsen: Comcast are a bunch of crooks. AND this sets up a bad precedence. Now every ISP is going to want their chunk of flesh. Expect your Netflix sub fee to go through the roof.

    Just my $0.02,

    dEwMe

    24.2.2014 16:03 #7

  • Mrguss

    Originally posted by SuckRaven: Maybe Google will expand its fiber internet quickly, so we can give our money to them instead of.... Good thing I'm not a Netflix, etc. addict. lol


    +5000

    24.2.2014 18:02 #8

  • DVDBack23

    Originally posted by dEwMe: Originally posted by molsen: Comcast are a bunch of crooks. AND this sets up a bad precedence. Now every ISP is going to want their chunk of flesh. Expect your Netflix sub fee to go through the roof. That is a misunderstanding. By cutting out the third parties, deals like this should (in theory) help prices fall, while giving consumers a better stream.

    24.2.2014 19:35 #9

  • longbid

    Yes they are a bunch of crooks.
    How about the new legislation that ALEC is writing for the states.
    That is the group of lobbyists that write bills favoring corporations.
    They are trying to stop local communities from providing broadband as a public service.
    I believe it was in Louisville Kentucky that has a public ISP that has tremendous download speeds for $70 US.
    The laws are being given to the US Congress to pass in their state legislatures.
    Making it illegal to offer a local ISP!
    Thom Hartmann (yes a Liberal ) has spoken about this quite often

    My response is.

    Totally BS

    28.2.2014 14:44 #10

  • Mr-Movies

    Originally posted by DVDBack23: Originally posted by dEwMe: Originally posted by molsen: Comcast are a bunch of crooks. AND this sets up a bad precedence. Now every ISP is going to want their chunk of flesh. Expect your Netflix sub fee to go through the roof. That is a misunderstanding. By cutting out the third parties, deals like this should (in theory) help prices fall, while giving consumers a better stream.
    Sounds good but actually wrong, prices will go up as there will be more monopolies and these companies have been double dipping now for years they are not going to stop or pass the savings on, trust me on that one. The true win here is better bandwidth at least for now...

    28.2.2014 18:33 #11

  • sternrulez

    Originally posted by Mr-Movies: Originally posted by DVDBack23: Originally posted by dEwMe: Originally posted by molsen: Comcast are a bunch of crooks. AND this sets up a bad precedence. Now every ISP is going to want their chunk of flesh. Expect your Netflix sub fee to go through the roof. That is a misunderstanding. By cutting out the third parties, deals like this should (in theory) help prices fall, while giving consumers a better stream.
    Sounds good but actually wrong, prices will go up as there will be more monopolies and these companies have been double dipping now for years they are not going to stop or pass the savings on, trust me on that one. The true win here is better bandwidth at least for now...
    You are unfortunately correct, Mr-Movies...ANY monopoly can and most often DOES set prices as high as they want, it's the nature of the beast. I wouldn't be surprised if Comcast raises their rates over the usual "annual fees increase" as well. My girlfriend lived in Lancaster PA for a while, and she had a choice between 2-3 cable providers...unfortunately this is far from the norm, and although I'd LOVE to see Comcast buy out her lousy cableco, with every merger, agreement and "deal" that setup is going to be as rare as a local video store...wait, what IS a video store? lol! That right there exemplifies what happens with monopolies: Blockbuster drove out all the old mom & pop stores, only to eventually lose all their storefronts too with the advent of streaming and Redbox rentals.

    The people I truly feel sorry for at this point are those that have "bandwidth caps" on their internet service. Cord cutters beware...keep a close eye on your usage if you're in this situation or you'll end up with no internet at all... :(

    1.3.2014 08:58 #12

  • Mr-Movies

    The video store analogy was perfect... LOL

    1.3.2014 18:46 #13

  • phobet

    And so it begins. Comcast must have learned they playbook from credit card companies, who charge their card holders fees, and then charge merchants for transaction fees. The are the middle man demanding payment from both sides, driving up cost. While the Netflix streaming experience may be enhanced by this deal, ultimately it will be the customers who end up paying the price.

    17.3.2014 01:48 #14

  • Jemborg

    Ah middlemen...

    Its a lot easier being righteous than right.


    17.3.2014 06:13 #15

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