Netflix will launch a new feature next May that will let each user adjust their download speed on mobile devices

Mar 26, 2016 09:23 GMT  ·  By

On Thursday, Netflix announced plans for a new service feature that would let users adjust their stream's download speed on mobile devices. During the same day, in press interviews, a company spokesperson admitted to capping mobile download speeds for customers of US data networks AT&T and Verizon.

Netflix's new feature, expected to go live next May, is the result of internal research that told the company that many users were afraid that they might go over their normal monthly bandwidth usage and get billed overage fees.

Mobile users will be able to control their Netflix download speed

The company plans to add new settings to its mobile apps that will let each user adjust their download speed so they can manage the used bandwidth in order to prevent those expensive overage charges, which sometimes can easily reach hundreds of dollars each month if the user is not paying close attention.

For those who watch only a few shows per month, this feature will also allow them to enjoy them at higher qualities from their mobile devices.

Globally, Netflix has been capping mobile streams at 600 kilobits per second for years, but it appears this cap was even lower for AT&T and Verizon customers.

Mobile caps existed globally, but were smaller for AT&T and Verizon

This detail came to light last week, when T-Mobile US mobile chief was promoting his service's performance by saying Netflix's performance was much better on his network, compared to fellow rivals AT&T and Verizon.

The press inquired if AT&T and Verizon were intentionally limiting the service, and by doing so breaking net neutrality, but both companies denied the claims.

After Thursday's announcement, answering questions from members of the press, a Netflix spokesperson admitted to capping AT&T and Verizon clients at lower download speeds.

Netflix says it over-capped AT&T and Verizon because of higher overage fees

Netflix explains it did so because the two companies have extremely high overage fees while Spring and T-Mobile have more customer-friendly rates.

Netflix brass realized that, technically, this situation breaks net neutrality, and after T-Mobile ousted its practice, it decided to introduce this new feature on its mobile apps, letting users decide for themselves at what speeds they want to enjoy the service.

While the capping had existed for many years and had good intentions, Netflix still broke net neutrality that says that all data and services must be treated equally.

Many people would say that net neutrality was put in place when some networks started limiting Netflix traffic, which makes about a third of Internet traffic in the US. It is incredibly ironic that the first Web service to break this rule introduced last June is Netflix.

UPDATE: After certain FCC members have demanded an inquiry into Netflix's practices, FCC Commissioner Michael O'Rielly has said that the FCC won't pursue Netflix for any wrong-doing, classifying it as an edge provider, which doesn't fall under net neutrality rules.