In a press release today from Netflix, the global video streaming giant, they have declared war on internet data caps by saying that data caps should be declared illegal and every home granted unlimited downloads to cope with the demands of streaming video.
Now whilst here at Broadband Compare we do love an unlimited broadband plan we also see a place for capped plans because not everyone needs or wants to stream video.
Netflix argues that home download limits don't serve a "legitimate purpose" and are an "ineffective" tool for managing network congestion, argues the streaming video giant in a submission to the US communications watchdog.
"A data cap or allotment of 300 GB of data per month or higher is required just to meet the internet television needs of an average American," Netflix argues in a submission to the Federal Communications Commission.
"This does not account for the other things that consumers typically do with their broadband connections, such as web browsing or downloading games or apps from the internet."
"An above average television watcher, a multi-occupant household, or a consumer wishing to watch in 4K requires a much higher cap or allotment. In this way, today's 'above? average' internet consumer is tomorrow's average Internet consumer."
Netflix is also pushing to ban "low" data caps on mobile connections in the US which impede people's ability to watch streaming video on the run.
The obvious self-interest aside, Netflix's talk of abolishing monthly caps will soon become a hot topic as people use the internet for more data-hogging reasons.
Here in New Zealand we appear to be much better off than Americans. We've had unlimited plans here for a while and there's not too much difference between an 80GB and unlimited monthly plan.
So if you are looking for the best unlimited broadband plan in NZ click here and view all the options from Broadband Compare.
