YouTube Claims T-Mobile Is Throttling Video Traffic
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There's a Difference
Throttling is reducing the speed of which data is transferred. Binge on and the data optimization and reduction of the video quality to 480p (which btw 480/720/1080 all look the same on a 4"-5" screen) does not infringe on speed.
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A difference does exist between SD and HD video on a 5 inch screen. Especially if the screen is an HD screen.
And its a type of throttle since its slowing the allowed speed down to an SD stream instead of an HD stream. It changes the visual quality of content.
If you were expecting HD content, and T-Mobile forced SD content without telling you, you may think the problem is on youtubes side bringing down youtubes perceived value.
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But that's just it, nobody is forcing anything on anybody without telling you. bingeon is optional, and you can turn it on and off whenever you want. I got a text on all my numbers explaining the details of the new service and giving me the option to opt out. I opted out all my numbers except my wife's since she eats data watching videos. I don't see the issue with any of it.
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ZpikeDec 28, 2015, 7:31 PM
The problem, as I understand it, is that Google is complaining their service is being throttled even though it's not part of the Binge On program. If T-mobile is reducing resolution on or throttling any content without informing the end user - THAT is a big deal. The ability to get unlimited 480p content with some services is awesome. But if I want to get 1080p content and have that count against my data limit, I should be able to do so, and T-mobile has no right to mess with the resolution or throttle the speed of that data.
If it turns out that T-mobile is neither reducing the resolution or throttling the speed of You Tube's content, then obviously there is no issue.
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ZpikeDec 28, 2015, 7:36 PM
Net neutrality dictates that you don't screw with the content of the data - period. If an end user agrees to a reduced resolution in order to get unlimited data at that resolution, that's one thing. But that doesn't entitle T-mobile to reduce the resolution of anything it likes. They shouldn't be screwing with content without informing their users. If they are, I hope they get hit with a big fine - and also any of the other carriers that are doing the same thing.
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