Technology
Netflix Wants To Get Rid Of Those Annoying Data Caps
Netflix is pushing for some change because everyone should have unlimited access to all the Stranger Things they can binge on.
In a letter submitted to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the streaming site asked for the Commission to ban data caps on wired Internet connections and on mobile networks.
Data caps and usage-based pricing, said Netflix, “discourage a consumer’s consumption of broadband and may impede the ability of some households to watch Internet television in a manner and amount that they would like.”
Netflix continued, “For this reason, the Commission should hold that data caps on fixed-line networks — and low data caps on mobile networks — may unreasonably limit Internet television viewing.”
According to the streaming site, the average American watches roughly 3.4 hours of television programming per day, which equates to 10GB of data. The Consumerist noted that “If HD Netflix uses 10 GB per 3.4 hours of viewing, and 4K Netflix uses 24 GB per 3.4 hours of viewing, then you’re in the 300-1020 GB data range every month just on your streaming TV.” This does not even include your other broadband uses, like gaming or standard web browsing.
“Today’s ‘above-average’ Internet consumer is tomorrow’s average Internet consumer,” Netflix wrote.
Read the full letter here.