Netflix: We’ll drop the anti-Verizon error messages. For now.

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Netflix says it will stop pinning the blame for laggy streaming speeds on Verizon and other Internet providers, potentially putting an end to a weeklong dispute between broadband companies and the streaming video service.

The error messages, which began popping up for some users as part of a trial in May, told subscribers that their stuttering connections were the result of congestion on their ISP networks. The claim led Verizon to fire back with a cease-and-desist letter demanding that the notices stop. Netflix will suspend the messages on June 16, according to a company blog post.

But spokesman Joris Evers denied that the decision had anything specific to do with Verizon's complaint. "We do tests of different lengths," said Evers. "That doesn’t mean there won’t be another one, and it doesn't mean there won’t be multiple ones that run in concert after this."

Netflix will examine the results of the current test to see whether users called customer service more or less often and whether they watched more or less video, among other things.


Netflix: We’ll drop the anti-Verizon error messages. For now. Netflix to halt notices blaming providers for slow video speeds (The Hill) Netflix Says It Will Stop Shaming Verizon, Other Internet Providers (Revere Digital) Netflix to suspend its controversial ISP error messages (GigaOm)