Netflix: Jerky trouble for Swisscom customers
Netflix customers who receive their signal via Swisscom have recently been increasingly struggling with poor picture quality. UPC Cablecom also had problems with the Netflix signal - but these have been resolved.
Swisscom confirmed to Schweiz am Sonntag that there has recently been an increase in negative customer reactions regarding the transmission of the US online service Netflix: stuttering and picture interference are spoiling the fun of the series.
However, the Swisscom network is not to blame for the poor picture quality. When Netflix launched in Switzerland in September 2014, the data was transmitted to Swisscom via DT's networks. In August 2015, Netflix terminated the contract for direct transmission with DT. Since then, DT has obtained the signal via transit providers such as Level 3 and Cogent and then forwards it to Swisscom. Cogent in particular is said to be known for overbooked capacity - traffic between Cogent and DT is said to be at its limit.
The solution to the problem would be a direct connection between Netflix and Swisscom. According to Swisscom, negotiations were held in this regard, but "did not lead to a result due to commercial considerations", as a Swisscom spokesperson explained to Schweiz am Sonntag. However, the company is in contact with Netflix to discuss improvements.
UPC Cablecom also had the same problem. However, the cable giant was able to resolve the problem by improving the connection between Netflix and its parent company Liberty Global in Amsterdam. (hae)
