Netflix is slow lately on FIOS

[glugglug]

For the past few weeks I am intermittently getting only 1-2 bars on the bandwidth meter for the XBOX Netflix app, which I think means it is ~1-2Mbps.

I have a 35/35Mbps plan with FIOS, so it should be getting HD all the time. (it used to until recently).

Are others having this problem lately?  Is it a FIOS issue or is Netflix downgrading their service for any customers not on OpenConnect ISPs?

[Sava333]

Same issue here, noticed for the past month or two seemingly right after the Net Neutrality debacle, Netflix has been pretty much unusable. I'm interested to see the January results listed on Netflix's ISP rankings:

http://ispspeedindex.netflix.com/usa

If only Google Fiber would expand more rapidly. Seriously considering switching back to Optimum though I prefer Fios TV, Optimum internet seems to be better.

[db909]

Here is an interesting article, FIOS is not analyzed but I think it is pretty clear what is going on from reading the article.

http://gigaom.com/2014/02/06/theres-something-rotten-in-the-state-of-online-video-streaming-and-the-...

[Sava333]

Fios falls another notch on Netflix ISP rating:

http://ispspeedindex.netflix.com/usa

http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2014/02/netflix-performance-on-verizon-and-comcast-has...

[db909]

---

@Sava333 wrote:

Fios falls another notch on Netflix ISP rating:

http://ispspeedindex.netflix.com/usa

http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2014/02/netflix-performance-on-verizon-and-comcast-has...

---

"In response to Netflix's rankings, Verizon gave Ars this statement:

How the Internet works can be complicated..."

Seriously?

"Google Fiber, Cox, and Cablevision in particular have been impressive. The comparisons to better performing ISPs place Verizon and Comcast in a bad light."

How about they just fix it and catch up to their competitors?

[dniq]

There's nothing complicated about how internet works.

Simple truth: direct streaming from NetFlix of a sample movie (http://movies.netflix.com/WiMovie/Example_Short_23.976/70136810), while also streaming another movie from NetFlix on my Apple TV - 560 kbit/sec maximum. Here's the traceroute to the server from which it's being streamed:

dniq-mba:~ root# traceroute 108.175.42.142

traceroute to 108.175.42.142 (108.175.42.142), 64 hops max, 52 byte packets

 1  192.168.1.1 (192.168.1.1)  2.695 ms  1.551 ms  0.965 ms

 2  l100.nwrknj-vfttp-96.verizon-gni.net (98.109.218.1)  7.524 ms  6.214 ms  6.285 ms

 3  g0-13-2-0.nwrknj-lcr-21.verizon-gni.net (130.81.109.116)  10.986 ms  7.362 ms  8.094 ms

 4  ae0-0.nwrk-bb-rtr1.verizon-gni.net (130.81.209.154)  7.664 ms

    ae1-0.nwrk-bb-rtr1.verizon-gni.net (130.81.209.146)  6.032 ms  4.657 ms

 5  0.xe-10-1-0.br1.nyc1.alter.net (152.63.18.225)  10.493 ms

    0.xe-5-0-0.br1.nyc1.alter.net (152.63.16.61)  7.052 ms

    0.xe-10-1-0.br1.nyc1.alter.net (152.63.18.225)  39.672 ms

 6  * * ae11.edge2.newyork.level3.net (4.68.62.41)  42.052 ms

 7  4.34.146.66 (4.34.146.66)  52.443 ms  49.003 ms  47.555 ms

 8  ipv4_1.lagg0.c033.nyc001.ix.nflxvideo.net (108.175.42.142)  49.647 ms  49.635 ms  47.286 ms

And then I connect to my work VPN (all traffic now goes via the VPN) - suddenly the speed becomes 3000 kbit/sec. And here's the traceroute again:

dniq-mba:~ root# traceroute 108.175.43.165

traceroute to 108.175.43.165 (108.175.43.165), 64 hops max, 52 byte packets

 1  10.11.0.36 (10.11.0.36)  11.397 ms  12.910 ms  10.537 ms

 2  10.11.0.1 (10.11.0.1)  9.074 ms  12.515 ms  11.629 ms

 3  12.130.81.133 (12.130.81.133)  9.830 ms  12.855 ms  13.381 ms

 4  mdf016c7613r0001-tge-10-4.nyc2.attens.net (63.240.24.105)  15.201 ms  12.380 ms  14.328 ms

 5  12.122.251.41 (12.122.251.41)  9.978 ms  11.212 ms  12.649 ms

 6  cr2.n54ny.ip.att.net (12.122.130.94)  15.857 ms  16.380 ms  14.606 ms

 7  igs3.n54ny.ip.att.net (12.122.115.89)  14.208 ms  14.022 ms  14.550 ms

 8  ae-15.r05.nycmny01.us.bb.gin.ntt.net (129.250.9.205)  13.816 ms  18.349 ms  13.998 ms

 9  ae-3.r06.nycmny01.us.bb.gin.ntt.net (129.250.4.205)  13.600 ms  14.362 ms  13.881 ms

10  ae-1.netflix.nycmny01.us.bb.gin.ntt.net (129.250.198.114)  54.818 ms  56.614 ms  54.739 ms

11  ipv4_1.lagg0.c075.nyc001.ix.nflxvideo.net (108.175.43.165)  48.449 ms  44.598 ms  47.986 ms

And then I disconnect from the VPN again, and stop streaming the movie on Apple TV - suddenly the speed in my web browser improves to 3000 kbit/sec!

So two devices streaming video from NetFlix over the same connection are limited to around 3500 kbit/sec. When I connect to my VPN - Apple TV streams directly from NetFlix, while web browser streams via the VPN. Verizon can no longer see that I have the second stream from NetFlix, therefore not limiting the bandwidth for the VPN one.

If this is not the evidence of Verizon throttling the speed - I don't know what is.

[Sava333]

Well it's technically not 'throttling'. Allowing peering connections to become saturated is what's happening. Lucky for you, your VPN is bypassing those problematic connections, probably somewhere in the ALTER.NET and LEVEL3 areas. I ran a similar tracert and got mostly timeouts.

I know Google Fiber and Cablevision are part of Open Connect, pretty sure Cox is also which is why their Netflix quality is so great. Imagine if Verizon signed up, the splashes they'd make, the happy customers they'd have and the amazing press they'd get. We could all go on bragging about how their network really is 'pristine' again. Not sure what the problem would be with that.

[Namronorman]

---

@Sava333 wrote:

Well it's technically not 'throttling'. Allowing peering connections to become saturated is what's happening. Lucky for you, your VPN is bypassing those problematic connections, probably somewhere in the ALTER.NET and LEVEL3 areas. I ran a similar tracert and got mostly timeouts.

I know Google Fiber and Cablevision are part of Open Connect, pretty sure Cox is also which is why their Netflix quality is so great. Imagine if Verizon signed up, the splashes they'd make, the happy customers they'd have and the amazing press they'd get. We could all go on bragging about how their network really is 'pristine' again. Not sure what the problem would be with that.

---

Posturing for Redbox Instant.

[AfriShutah]

I recently upgraded my Verison FIOS service and now have a 50/25 Mb pipe. Sadly, I cannot tell any difference when trying to watch Netflix movies. It can take up to 5 minutes before a movie starts streaming, especially if the qulity of the connection is indicated with the bars as "high" (this is pretty counter-intuitive). 

I have contacted Verizon, Netflix and the manufacturer of my Blu-Ray device (Samsung) and done everything that is possible. Verizon and Netflix keep blaming each other. Although I have no proof that Verizon is throttling delivery of Netflix content, I do find it curious that I am recenly bombarded with more and more emails and ads for Verizon's own content (movies).

I almost dropped Verizon (I have been a loyal customer since 2008) last week, in frustration over ever higher monthly fees and poorer service. I reluctantly accepted their offer to upgrade to a 50/25 Mb connection (my original connection was 20/5). Alas, it seems to have been for naught.

We may be going separate ways, after all ... and btw. I will also be dropping Nextflix until I can get a better connection.

[Sava333]

Yeah, when I initially spoke to Verizon support about this, they suggested my wireless signal was the cause, not strong enough. So I went and bought a range extender, even though my network hadn't changed at all. 

Two problems with this now. One, the range extender wasn't needed in the first place, if I'd known about all these network issues before I bought it, I wouldn't have bothered. Two, Actiontec routers have issues with range extenders and the thing doesn't even work past 24 hours due to the DHCP lease. I have to restart it once a day to get it to work properly.

Do you think Verizon will reimburse me the cost of the now useless range extender? My Magic 8-ball just told me that it's sources say no.

[AfriShutah]

I recently upgraded my Verison FIOS service and now have a 50/25 Mb connection, supposedly. Sadly, I cannot tell any difference when trying to watch Netflix movies. It can take up to 5 minutes before a movie starts streaming, especially if the quality of the connection is indicated with the bars as "high" (this is pretty counter-intuitive). 

I have contacted Verizon, Netflix and the manufacturer of my Blu-Ray device (Samsung) which is hardwired into the brand new router Verizon sent me. Firmware is updated and I have done everything that is possible at this point. Verizon and Netflix keep blaming each other. Although I have no proof that Verizon is throttling delivery of Netflix content, I do find it curious that I am recenly bombarded with more and more emails and ads for Verizon's own content (movies). A mere coincidence?

I almost dropped Verizon (I have been a loyal customer since 2008) last week, in frustration over ever higher monthly bills and poorer service. I reluctantly accepted their offer to upgrade to a 50/25 Mb connection (my original connection was 20/5). Alas, it seems to have been for naught.

We may be going separate ways, after all ... and btw. I will also be dropping Nextflix until I can get a better connection.

[iamloco724]

Is there anyway to see the bitrate on netflix streaming through ps3 app? or to know if im getting what i should be getting besides looking at the picture

im just curious, i just started using netflix more so im just looking into things

[Sava333]

I believe if you hit the 'select' button on the PS3 controller it will show you the resolution. If you search for 'Example Short 23.976' in Netflix and stream that, it has the bitrate and resolution show up in the top left corner. It's kind of like a test video that you can stream.

Currently getting 560kbps on my 50mbps hardwired connection with a resolution of 512x384. So pixelated that you can hardly even read the numbers, wonderful!

[iamloco724]

Im on 150/65 or whatever the plan is and im getting super hd on ps3 app at all times of day sometimes it takes a little longer but seems fine

my issue is i just started really using netflix and started house of cards season 2 and sound quality seems to be my issue it at times sounds like a bad mp3 with swooshing sounds at the end of certain words

[Orions675]

My Netflix quality has been garbage on FIOS for the last two months. I have called customer support they never seem to have an answer. I have even had them connected to my computer and connect to my VPN and right away Netflix starts working fine. I cannot even get a single show to stream in HD unless I connect to my personal VPN.

Get your **bleep** together Verizon.

[zygomatic]

I too am experiencing what is clearly a deliberate move by either Verizon or Netflix. My streaming speed is near-zero at times; the bare minimum. There is no explanation for this on my 60/40 connection. Whatever the issue, I blame Verizon for not putting the Netflix caching appliances on its network. This is blatant disrespect for the customer.

[anonFios]

"I too am experiencing what is clearly a deliberate move by either Verizon or Netflix."

Only one company has something to gain by providing a poor streaming experience from Netflix (hint: it's not Netflix)

[Doermer1]

I noticed the last month my Netflix is not streaming HD anymore. The quality is horrible. I have commented on Netflix re each show/movie I've streamed. Now it looks like it's Verizon playing games. I have 25/25 high speed and ever since Christmas '13, I've had problems. I'm paying good money for high speed HD quality. I'd like this fixed! 

[dbx1]

I've been having the same issues and have gone through all the troubleshooting stuff.  Nothing fixes it.  There's only one explanation.  Verizon is throttling connections to Netflix.  More specifically, it's throttling connections to the server infrastructure that Netflix uses, called Amazon Web Services, or AWS.

Go to this web site: http://netneutralitytest.com/

From there, you can run speed tests against some AWS locations, or Linode servers.  If you live on or near the east coast, test AWS East, and then test the Linode server closest to you.  If you live on or near the west coast, test an AWS server near you, and then a nearby Linode server.  I'm on FIOS and paying for 50 Mbit down.  When I test AWS East, it starts at 25 and drops steadily to 10.  When I test Linode in Newark, NJ I get a constant 57 Mbit.

No way does that make any sense.  I'm a software engineer who's been working on server-based software for 7 years, so I'm familiar with the routine of troubleshooting a network connection, and I know some other engineers have posted in this thread.

No way am I paying $60 a month (soon to be $80 since the first year was discounted).  I'll cancel the service if it's this bad, I don't care if I have to pay early termination fees.  I'll get better service elsewhere.

If you want to know why Verizon is doing this, its because they want you to pay for their TV services instead of getting it from Netflix, Hulu, Amazon and others.  A federal court on January 14 ruled that the FCC can't force Verizon and other ISPs to not throttle certain traffic.  In other words, a court said Verizon can throttle all it wants and the FCC can't stop them.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-01-14/verizon-wins-net-neutrality-court-ruling-against-fcc.html

Nobody should be surprised by this, but they should be **bleep** off.

[Sava333]

Not sure about the http://netneutralitytest.com/ test. When I test the AWS East server I get the full 50mbps that I'm paying for. Yet if I go to Netflix, the stream is horrible. Using the CTRL+ALT+SHIFT+D trick in the browser window, I can see that the bandwidth measurement to Netflix is hovering around 1mbps which is unacceptable. 

During non-peak times the bandwidth measurement is usually between 20 and 30mbps and I get full HD. Once peak time sets in around 3-5pm it drops down to 1 or less than 1.

[SteveVi]

Same issue here.  I don't recall seeing anything about streaming throttling in my service agreement when I "upgraded" my FiOS service from 20Mbps to 50Mbps a couple of weeks ago.  However, since then my Netflix qualiity has sucked **bleep**!

Not happy and soon to be an ex-Verizon FiOS customer after nearly 10 years and THOUSANDS of dollars spent (average $130/month x 120 months = $15,600)

[SoNi67]

---

@Sava333 wrote:

Using the CTRL+ALT+SHIFT+D trick in the browser window, I can see that the bandwidth measurement to Netflix is hovering around 1mbps which is unacceptable. 

 During non-peak times the bandwidth measurement is usually between 20 and 30mbps and I get full HD. Once peak time sets in around 3-5pm it drops down to 1 or less than 1.

---

You are lucky. I get sometimes only 345-500 kbps.