Verizon responded to the move by Netflix to blame the wireless service provider for the slow loading of videos on the streaming service.
Verizon's Vice President for Federal Regulatory Affairs David Young wrote the company's response in their official blog, starting the statement with the allegations against the wireless service provider that there was widespread congestion in its network, along with accusations that Verizon was intentionally "throttling" traffic on Netflix.
A review of Verizon's networks revealed no such congestion. Verizon, however, found congestion in the links between the transit providers of Netflix and Verizon.
Netflix uses third-party networks as transit providers to deliver content into Verizon's network and its customers. However, the high usage of Netflix users is causing congestion in the third-party connections at the point where they connect to Verizon.
Young, however, places the blame not on the third-party providers but on Netflix, saying that the streaming service company can make adjustments to provide a better experience to their customers but choose not to.
Young alleges that Netflix decided not to prepare for the massive traffic that will go through their third-party connections, perhaps to reduce costs and improve profits.
The decision of Netflix was to make that huge amount of traffic to pass through only a few third-party transit providers that have limited capacities as opposed to having the traffic pass through connections specifically created for the purpose.
Young says that it is the responsibility of Netflix to use connections that will be able to handle high volumes of traffic, or create arrangements with third-party suppliers to be able to manage the high volumes.
Young, however, said that while the company believes that it is Netflix's fault that users are not satisfied with the speed with which their videos load, it is working with Netflix to create new, direct connections between the two companies.
This decision is despite the agreement inked in April between the two companies to give faster video streaming services for TV shows and movies. The deal is similar to the one signed between Verizon and Comcast earlier in the year, which immediately led to significant performance improvements in the services of Comcast.
Customers that experience slow-loading videos on Netflix saw messages that say "The Verizon network is crowded right now. Adjusting video for smoother playback."
Verizon tagged the message as a "PR stunt," saying that Netflix customers are being given wrong information regarding the issue.
