Hulu Plus, no hi-Rez? VZW at fault for outside throttling.

[surelyujest71]

Here's the question part:  What are we, as the customers, going to do about this?  When will Verizon stop bullying and pressuring other companies into throttling our data?

I had a real problem crop up recently:  While watching Hulu Plus on my Rezound, the High Resolution option disappeared, but only when connected through Verizon's network.  When connected through my (lower quality) home wifi, the high resolution option was returned.  I contacted Hulu about this problem, and even though it took several e-mails before my support person reached high enough into the chain of command to get a real, and true answer, I did get that answer.

Hulu Plus on Android has been specifically modified to remove the High Resolution option when connecting through Verizon's network, while continuing to allow High Resolution viewing when connected through other networks.  This is something that Verizon required Hulu to do, in order to continue being able to send data through the Verizon networks.  In other words, Verizon bullied Hulu into throttling the video, since Verizon doesn't always have enough reason to throttle OUR bandwidth.  I have the copy of the email, here:

Hey ++++++,

Thanks for getting back to me with more information. I apologize for the delayed response, as I've been researching this issue. I'd love to share some insight into what I've found.

It appears this disappearance of the "High Resolution" option while using 3G is the intended behavior of the app, to remain in accordance with the streaming requirements established by the carrier -in this case, Verizon. I believe it's meant to help users from going over their data limits, but Verizon might have other reasons behind this mandate.

I apologize for any frustration this causes, as your G3 network seems to be more reliable than your expensive Wifi network, but at this time there is no workaround for the issue, since it's in place to comply with Veriozon's requests. I hope this helps.

If you run into any further issues or questions, please write back.

Best,
+++++
Hulu Support

Since I've got unlimited data, it's obvious this isn't to protect me from going over my data limits.  For anyone who does have data limits, they're completely nuts if they watch much video over Verizon's network.  The only other reason for the throttling of my Hulu data is simply because Verizon is being a bully.

I'm trapped in my current contract for another year and a half.  If things don't improve on a massive level, well in advance of that time, I'll dump Verizon.  I won't use any carriers.  Already, you can access WiFi at a large number of locations.  In this town, there's the coffee shop, McDonald's, Burger King, Lowes, and many others.  In another year an a half, WiFi will probably be available at WalMart, other grocery stores, and basically anyplace you could think of going.  I'll end up going network free, and use Skype.  If you do the math, just buying a brand new phone outright, paying for a phone number through Skype, and paying Skype's per-minute usage is still CHEAPER over a two year period than it is to be stuck in a two year contract with Verizon!  Bonuses of sticking to WiFi and Skype?  NO phone calls while driving.  NO texts while driving.  NO alerts of any sort while driving!  If you want to watch video content while camping?  Just download a copy of the content onto your device before going, and then be able to stay truly disconnected on your camping trip.

Verizon is really getting on my nerves.  If it's getting on your nerves, too, just pass this message on.

Message-Id:S38SGWM5_505a6d96912e8_a0917092749233b

[budone]

You have a 3G device. In Feb 2011 (Customers were first notified of the upcoming change in July 2010)VZW began Network Optimization. Basically if you are in an area where there is data congestion, when you hit 5GB of data, you are throttled for the rest of the billing period AND the next billing cycle.

You have unlimited data, NOT unlimited bandwidth.

Network Optimization

[surelyujest71]

I know that Verizon reserves the right to throttle bandwidth.  However, when it's the beginning of my billing cycle, and I've got less than a meg of data used, PLUS I live in an area where congestion almost never happens, we cannot blame direct VZW throttling.  Especially when it affects an android application such as Hulu Plus and the ability to even try to watch in high resolution.  The High resolution button is completely removed, when connected to Verizon's network - it's not a matter of the network throttling my bandwidth, at that point.

As the email from Hulu says, Verizon required Hulu to make a change to the application, removing the High resolution option when connected through the network.  I've checked bandwidth with Speedtest, and my 3g connection will always rate much higher than my home WiFi connection does.

Thus - Verizon is BULLYING outside companies into restricting what bandwidth they can send over the VZW network, telling them that if they want to be able to be connected to their customers, they have to cheat their own customers.

Don't try to tell me otherwise; I've already been given proof.

[budone]

I gave you the reason, if you went over the last billing period, you are throttled the next also. I do not agree with their way of handling the issue (carrying over the throttling...err ....optimization,) but they were very up front for many months prior to enforcing the policy

[surelyujest71]

a) if throttled, Speedtest would not show an unthrottled speed.

b) Hulu admitted to me in their email that the button in their program was removed because Verizon required them to do it - prior to that, even if throttling occurred, the option to try to watch in High resolution still existed.

c) Last year, Verizon announced that, unlike AT&T, if they throttled someone's bandwidth, it would be for a brief time, and only while the congestion was taking place on the tower.  Once the person was no longer in a congested area, or the congestion ended, the throttling would also end.

Stop being a moron, and read the words; don't just blame me.  Verizon Bullied Hulu into removing the High Resolution option.  Anyone who reads these posts can see that you're completely ignoring the facts, and just repeating what VZW wants people to hear.  Go away, Budone.  I need to hear from someone who can actually do something, not someone who's just a mouthpiece for the Bully.

omg.  verzion bleeped out the word more-on.  Too prissy for even that word, on the one hand, while bullying other companies into throttling their own product on the other.  How two faced can they get?

[surelyujest71]

Once again:

Hey ++++++,

Thanks for getting back to me with more information. I apologize for the delayed response, as I've been researching this issue. I'd love to share some insight into what I've found.

It appears this disappearance of the "High Resolution" option while using 3G is the intended behavior of the app, to remain in accordance with the streaming requirements established by the carrier -in this case, Verizon. I believe it's meant to help users from going over their data limits, but Verizon might have other reasons behind this mandate.

I apologize for any frustration this causes, as your G3 network seems to be more reliable than your expensive Wifi network, but at this time there is no workaround for the issue, since it's in place to comply with Veriozon's requests. I hope this helps.

If you run into any further issues or questions, please write back.

Best,
+++++
Hulu Support

As anyone can plainly read, the button is missing because it was removed from the app while connected to Verizon's network, by Verizon's request.  Obviously, a company that streams video content to paying customers would not want to lose their customers due to poor quality content, so why would Hulu remove the very option to view in High Resolution mode?  Because the request was not a request - it was obviously a threat that Hulu would lose the ability to stream over Verizon's network entirely.

Hence:  VZW the Bully.

I don't want to hear from budone again.  Either from other people who have also heard of cases where Verizon bullied another company into submission, or from a Verizon employee with enough clout to get this problem reversed.

[budone]

Well, you will hear from me again. The 'button' is shown by HULU only if you have the speed to view HD. VZW, has optimized / throttled you so Hulu's sees this and automatically does not offer the HD button.

I am not defending VZW, but that is why you are not seeing the 'button'

[surelyujest71]

so says the mouthpiece.  I've been informed by a verizon representative himself that VZW had Hulu do this.  Peddle your wares elsewhere.

[Tidbits]

Actually IF you actually sat and think about it.  So you can really tell the difference between High Def and regular definition on a 4.3 inch QHD screen?  You must have super eyes...

[NuDroidUsrr]

  That is very interesting.I am not sure if there is anything you/the customers can do about it. If this is something that has been negotiated in the contract between Verizon and Hulu, then it is a mute point. On the other hand, if it is not a contractual agreement, and they are just trying to keep network usage down by threatening them, then there is something there to pursue.

  This forum is probably not the best place to look for help, as most of these people (myself included) are just general users, and not affiliated with Verizon.