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TechNetflix

Netflix Admits to Downgrading Video Quality On Some Phones

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Reuters
Reuters
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By
Reuters
Reuters
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March 24, 2016, 7:45 PM ET
Netflix Partners With SoftBank For Japan Launch
Photograph by Ken Ishii — Getty Images

(Reuters) – Netflix said it had been lowering the quality of its video for customers watching its service on wireless networks such as AT&T (T) and Verizon (VZ) for more than five years, The Wall Street Journalreported on Thursday.

The Journal quoted Netflix as saying it had limited its videos to most wireless carriers across the globe, capping them at 600 kiliobits-per-second, to “protect consumers from exceeding mobile data caps.”

The company also said that it does not throttle videos for T-Mobile US and Sprint (S) users because they had “more consumer friendly policies,” the Journal reported.

“We’re outraged to learn that Netflix is apparently throttling video for their AT&T customers without their knowledge or consent,” Jim Cicconi, AT&T senior executive vice president of external and legislative affairs wrote in an email.

For more about Netflix, watch:

Netflix (NFLX) did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

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