Verizon Demands Netflix Stop Blaming It for Video Streaming Problems (Video)

The two companies are fighting over the source of customers’ streaming hiccups

Verizon has sent Netflix a cease-and-desist letter demanding that the streaming service stop blaming the Internet provider for customers’ video streaming problems. The letter cites a recent article in Quartz that revealed Netflix is posting error messages doing just that.

Verizon reprimanded Netflix in a blog post Wednesday, and general counsel Randal S. Milch followed up with a letter disseminated Thursday.

“There is no basis for Netflix to assert that issues with respect to playback of any particular video session are attributable solely to the Verizon network,” Milch wrote to Netflix general counsel David Hyman.

“Verizon demands that Netflix immediately cease and desist from proving any further ‘notices’ to users of the Verizon network.”

Also read: Netflix Expanding Into Six European Countries by Late 2014

Milch also demanded Netflix offer proof that Verizon is at fault for slow buffering speeds and delays in video.

The issue is of great importance to both companies. Slow streaming speeds anger Netflix customers, and Netflix blaming Verizon shifts the problem to an easy target.

The two companies recently signed a deal to give Netflix direct access to Verizon’s network, as it already has with Comcast.

“I sincerely hope this is not a harbinger of things to come in terms of how Netflix treats its network partners and our mutual customers,” Milch wrote.”

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