Netflix is slow lately on FIOS
glugglug
Enthusiast - Level 3

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?

Re: Netflix is slow lately on FIOS
walt178
Specialist - Level 3

@glugglug wrote:

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?


How is your video quality?  If it's OK, don't worry about the number of bars.  35Mbps is not required for HD.  If the quality is poor, try a different site for comparison.

I stream HD video on a daily basis and the actual connect speed varies.   Last night it varied between 1Mbps to 10Mbps on my laptop.  But the quality was high throughout and I did not notice any difference in quality when the connect speed changed.   When streaming on my BluRay player the connect speed is higher, but the video quality isn't any better.  HD is HD.

I'm not an expert in this area, but my best guess is that the actual connect speed is based, to some extent, on server load and what is needed, not how much you can handle.  And what is needed for HD video is much less than what your plan allows for. 

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Re: Netflix is slow lately on FIOS
Namronorman
Contributor - Level 2

It's been slow for me as well. Playing anything in HD after 8pm ET is almost impossible. Calling and talking to Verizon tech support has been completely fruitless. They have been unwilling to assist me in identifying the issue nor have they been willing to talk to Netflix with me. My neighbor on comcast and a few friends on comcast and TWC are having zero issues. If it's not one thing, it's another. 

As always, don't expect much. I plan on calling billing later today when I have a chance.

Re: Netflix is slow lately on FIOS
LawrenceC
Moderator Emeritus

Hi Namronorman,

Please go to your profile page for the forum by clicking on your name, and look at the top of the middle column where you will find an area titled "My Private Support Cases". There you will find a link to the private board where you and the agent may exchange information. This should be checked on a frequent basis, as the agent may be waiting for information from you before they can proceed with any actions. Please keep all correspondence regarding your issue in the private support portal.

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Re: Netflix is slow lately on FIOS
Namronorman
Contributor - Level 2

I was discussing this issue privately with Matt R until about 90 minutes ago when he stopped responding. I can't stream Netflix HD at the moment. Looks like it went south pretty fast this evening Man Frustrated

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Re: Netflix is slow lately on FIOS
glugglug
Enthusiast - Level 3

When it drops to 1-2 bars, the quality is pretty crappy.

Seems to be better again since yesterday...

Other sites have more consistent bandwidth.  Some bittorrents get > 50Mbps.  The problem lately has been specific to Netflix.

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Re: Netflix is slow lately on FIOS
walt178
Specialist - Level 3

I suspect this is going to become a recurring problem on video streaming sites.  As more and more people begin to use their service there may be a lag in providng adequate server capacity.

Last night I expererinced a rare slow connect speed on Amazon Prime.  (The slowest I've seen in over two years.)  Speed tests and other sites indicated no problem.  Even on YouTube HD streaming was great.  Back to Amazon: still slow.  About 2 hours later Amazon was back to normal.  Hopefully, a one time glitch rather than an omen of things to come.

Re: Netflix is slow lately on FIOS
Namronorman
Contributor - Level 2

About a week or so ago and before, it appeared that all netflix videos were being served to Verizon FiOS customers via Telia Sonera and Telia Sonera alone. During that time, packet loss seemed to be rather high with anything that was being served over Telia. Now, with Netflix much improved at all hours, it appears that Netflix is being streamed via Telia, XO, Sprint, and others.

With the additional peering points in place, I am now able to stream HD again even during peak hours. It does seem a BIT slow this evening but still capable of 3mbit HD.

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Re: Netflix is slow lately on FIOS
mm112
Specialist - Level 1

Verizon is currently involved in a very ugly battle with cogent communications a large provider of bandwith that is necessary to be able to stream anything from netflix. The battle between verizon and cogent comunications is over "peering" which is something that two bandwith providers like verizon and cogent communications have to come to an agreement over so that you can stream content as it should be streamed. Another reason for some of the slow streaming has to do with the fact that verizon came to an agreement with redbox to stream their content for fios customers so netflix is angry about the fact that verizon is doing business with netflix's competitor redbox. If you want more details about what is going on then google "gigaom verizon" and see for yourself what is going on where verizon's p r person just released a statement about the battle between verizon and cogent communications over netflix content.

  

Re: Netflix is slow lately on FIOS
Namronorman
Contributor - Level 2

And we're back to a slow Netflix experience with constant buffering and no HD 🙂