Netflix doesn't like data caps since it makes its video on-demand service more difficult to stream. The company has been fighting against this for quite a number of years, but it now seems as if the time has come to take more drastic steps.
Earlier last week, Netflix contacted the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to complain that it needs to state that data caps are not reasonable. By saying this, the FCC could ultimately force internet service providers (ISPs) to end the practice of capping data whenever the user goes over a certain amount.
The FCC has the power to decide if Americans are getting advanced telecommunication services in a reasonable manner. This rule falls under 706 of the Telecommunications Act, and the FCC was instructed by Congress to oversee the whole thing.
Originally, this is all about the FCC making sure Americans are getting internet and at a good enough speed. However, Netflix would like to have data caps fall under the same rule. If the company gets its way, then data caps in the United States could end up being a thing of the past, but that likely won't be the case.
The FCC can decide to end data caps, but it can also choose to force ISPs to life data caps to give consumers more room to take advantage of what broadband has to offer. A low data cap generally means, "What's the point of having a broadband connection anyway?"
"Data caps (especially low data caps) and usage-based pricing ('UBP') discourage a consumer's consumption of broadband, and may impede the ability of some households to watch Internet television in a manner and amount that they would like," Netflix wrote. "For this reason, the Commission should hold that data caps on fixed-line networks and low data caps on mobile networks may unreasonably limit Internet television viewing and are inconsistent with Section 706."
According to Netflix in a statement to Ars Technica, whenever the problems of network capping comes into play, Netflix may have to pay these same ISPs to have them give its service a pass. This is unacceptable to the company, and as such, it would prefer a meaningful change.
300 GB of data is what Americans need to watch internet TV and for other trivial tasks, according to Netflix. That's quite a lot, and we're not sure if ISPs are willing to allow their customers to blow through 300 GB of data each month.
We're not certain how this battle will end, but it will no doubt go on for quite some time until the FCC feels the need to address the situation head on.
Want something interesting to watch right now on Netflix? We recommend Stranger Things.
Photo: Michel Ngilen | Flickr
