Amazon will slow down Prime Video streams to lessen broadband strain
Following in the footsteps of Netflix and YouTube, Amazon has announced that it will also reduce streaming quality in order to lessen the strain being put on broadband networks.
“We support the need for careful management of telecom services to ensure they can handle the increased internet demand with so many people now at home full-time due to Covid-19,” a spokesperson told The Guardian. “Prime Video is working with local authorities and internet service providers where needed to help mitigate any network congestion.”
Unlike Netflix and YouTube, Amazon’s statement suggests that it will reduce stream speeds in various territories where Amazon Prime Video operates, not just Europe. The Verge has reached out to the company for more information. Amazon Prime has more than 150 million subscribers around the world, and Prime Video is available in more than 200 countries. Amazon’s spokesperson told The Guardian that this includes Europe, “where we’ve already begun the effort to reduce streaming bitrates whilst maintaining a quality streaming experience for our customers.”
Broadband strain will continue to be a concern as more people are required to stay at home to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus. Nielsen is estimating that people staying home “can lead to almost a 60 percent increase in the amount of content we watch in some cases and potentially more depending on the reasons.” That means streaming services like Netflix and Prime Video, other video platforms like YouTube and Twitch, and online gaming will all affect broadband speeds. That’s on top of the strain that comes from people working from home and students using video conferencing tools like Zoom to participate in online classes.
Following in the footsteps of Netflix and YouTube, Amazon has announced that it will also reduce streaming quality in order to lessen the strain being put on broadband networks. “We support the need for careful management of telecom services to ensure they can handle the increased internet demand with so…
