Following moves by Netflix, Amazon and YouTube will now also be lowering the quality of video content.
There’s also rumours that temporary measures may also be put in place by the BBC with their iPlayer service and by Disney+, which is set to launch shortly.
Amazon stated ..
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. In Europe .. we’ve already begun the effort to reduce streaming bitrates while maintaining a quality streaming experience for our customers.
YouTube is reducing video quality to “standard” across Europe for 30 days. A spokesperson told us..
People are coming to YouTube to find authoritative news, learning content and make connections during these uncertain times. We have measures in place to automatically adjust our system to use less network capacity.
Here in the UK Ofcom is also in discussions with streaming, TV and broadband companies to address any congestion issues.