Netflix and Verizon battle over who is responsible for customers experiencing video buffering on the popular media website. Netflix took the first shot when it blamed Verizon for slow speeds, but Verizon did not take sitting down.
Lately, Netflix began using a tactic where it alerts Verizon users that their ISP of choice is the reason why videos are buffering. Chances are this pushed a lot of customers to complain to Verizon about their dilemma, which could be the reason why Verizon has fired back.
On Thursday, Verizon sent a cease and desist letter to Netflix where it asked for the company to stop sending error messages to Verizon Fios broadband customers who are experiencing video buffering issues when trying to stream videos. In addition, Verizon said if Netflix continues down this path, it might be forced to seek legal aid.
Verizon even went as far to say the problems are the fault of Netflix.
"The source of the problem is almost certainly NOT congestion in Verizon's network. Instead, the problem is most likely congestion on the connection that Netflix has chosen to use to reach Verizon's network. Of course, Netflix is solely responsible for choosing how their traffic is routed into any ISP's network," says Verizon.
Strangely enough, Verizon wants Netflix to provide the name of customers who were shown the error messages. It is likely Verizon wants to make its case to these consumers in hopes that they won't jump ship.
On Monday, Netflix issued a statement in response to the comments of Verizon.
"As an ISP, you sell your customers a connection to the Internet. To try to shift blame to us for performance issues arising from interconnection congestion is like blaming drivers on a bridge for traffic jams when you're the one who decided to leave three lanes closed during rush hour," Netflix stated.
It also released its ISP Index for May.
This battle between Verizon and Netflix has been a long time coming. Netflix had to pay Verizon to travel on the Internet fast lane, and we're certain Netflix does not enjoy this. The complained quite frequently about having to pay Comcast, so we wouldn't be surprised if this little squabble with Verizon does have something to with that.
The upcoming net neutrality vote should either place things in favor of Netflix, or give Verizon and other ISPs the upper hand. Though we believe if ISPs have the upper hand, then nothing will stop them from increasing the fees to access the Internet's fast lane.
