What does "Up to 480 SD quality video" actually mean?

[raster]

I'm shopping around for a new MVNO. Comparing the two Visible plans, what does the phrase "Up to 480 SD quality video" mean? I am assuming that it means any video of of 480 SD quality will stream just fine on the standard plan. But I want to make sure that Verizon isn't going to prevent me from watching a video with a higher resolution.

I just did a speed test on my current plan with another carrier, and I'm averaging 5 to 7 mbps. I've never had an issue watching videos at 720p, or even 1080, on Prime or Netflix.

[VisiblyPresent · Accepted solution]

It means that Visible throttles detected video streams to a speed that is typically suited to 480p resolution. Up to is simply hedging their bets when the network is congested - the throttled speed has been determined to be 2.1 Mbps for detected video streaming. The content provider determines what resolution is delivered based on your current connection speed.

The Visible+ plan bumps the throttled speed for video streaming up to one that is typically suited to 720p.

[raster]

Thanks, that answers my question. I didn't know that these companies throttle your speed based on what you are doing. I wonder if my current provider (another Verizon MVNO) does the same thing. I've never noticed, but come to think of it, if I'm watching Prime or Netflix I'd typically be on wifi - so I guess it doesn't really matter.

[VisiblyPresent]

Yep, common for wireless carriers to throttle video streaming - FWIW, I just tested the throttle on Visible+ and it appears to be suitaable for 720p streaming at 3.6 Mbps.

Some content providers can deliver higer resolution even at that speed.

Wirelss carriers don't choose the resolution, they simply influence the content providers choice by throttling the speed - but the detection method is weak based on the source of the content for the most part.