US Cable Support > Mediacom > So when did Mediacom begin shaping traffic for youtube?

So when did Mediacom begin shaping traffic for youtube?

Hello,

I am not aware of any issues with Youtube at this time. Do you have any issues getting to youtube(slow speeds), also do you have any issues when viewing videos on any other sites?

Hey Chad, appreciate the quick response, this isn't the first time we've talked either.

I don't suffer any slowdowns whatsoever with any traffic except for specifically youtube streaming.

I believe at first that it had to be an issue on their end but after not being able to replicate the issue with my mobile network, or on a friends at&t network (or on my own computer when routing through a proxy I'm left believing it is in fact on mediacoms side.

I also noticed that mediacom is now sometimes routing through AT&T and Comcast backbones? Takes approximately ~16 jumps to get to youtube.com

I am working with the moderators on the Mediacom Support Forums and looking into a possible issue, that we just noticed. We have a few examples of this, all coming from Springfield. We are going to get our Tier-2 Department to look deeper into this and see if it is an issue on our end, or an issue with YouTube. As soon as we get any information, I will post it here.

It's youtube. They have cut down on the amount of buffering you are allowed.

reply to JDonk
Mediacom isn't alone, this is a hot topic with multiple ISPs over the last few months:

Cable
Comcast: »Is Comcast Throttling YouTube?
Time Warner Cable: »Youtube slow buffer.
Charter: »Youtube buffering/freezing problems?
OptimumOnline: »[OOL] is punishing encrypted YouTube straems at prime time?
BrightHouse: »[Internet] Melbourne, FL - Slow download speeds from youtube wit

Phone and fiber
AT&T Uverse: »Youtube & UVerse frustrations
Verizon FIOS: »Horrible youtube speeds
CenturyLink: »[CenturyTel] Is CenturyLink throttling YouTube?

Canada
Teksavvy: »[DSL] Why is Youtube so slow?
Telus: »[BC] TELUS slowing down youtube?

I think Youtube can't handle the load, due to the way Youtube handles traffic it's more of an issue in more populated areas and larger ISPs. Sometimes it seems changing DNS helps get you a different connection to a different server farm...
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Two is one, one is none. If it's important, back it up... Somethimes 99.999% availability isn't even good enough.

reply to JDonk
Youtube sucks on all ISPs, issue is Youtube. 720p and 1080p streams are especially problematic. I'm not sure why Youtube even bothers anymore, or why people bother with them.

Youtube these days is like Real Player all over again. I get flash backs of buffering circa 1997. *shudder*

reply to JDonk
Unless it is short video, I rarely watch YouTube from a stream directly from them. Instead I will use the KeepVid website to download an MP4 version to watch. This is particularly helpful on the Linux boxes I am usually on at home, since Flash on Linux now sucks big time for video support.

reply to macdude22
Youtube started doing this a little while back. The only official explanation I have seen is that they are saying ppl are opening tabs and buffering videos then they don't end up watching a lot of them and it costs them bandwidth, so videos will only buffer like 30 seconds ahead "in theory" but their new buffering routine is not working right and you end up "catching up" and then it stops, or sometimes it fails to kick in at all and you still get a full buffer lol.

reply to MediacomChad
I'd just like to add my straw to the hat, I'm having tons of trouble with YouTube videos too, and am in Springfield.

reply to JDonk
No problem here, 720p videos completely load before I get 1/4 of way through the video.

reply to JDonk
I'm having Youtube buffering problems too. I'm also in Springfield MO. I'd love to hear what Chad finds out.

reply to JDonk
I've seen similar reports of this problem with CenturyLink.

reply to JDonk
I'm having this problem in SW MO tonight as well. Speed tests turn out fine, but YouTube cannot play even a 240p video without needing 15 minutes to buffer.

We are looking into this issue now, but as previously stated in this thread, this exact issue is occurring on multiple service providers.

reply to JDonk
Interestingly, I had a friend ask me about this issue today. He was wondering if Chrome was the culprit. He lives in the UK and has experienced the issue both from his home and workplace connections. I don't know if that's even a viable possibility or not (the browser causing issues). I'd think it's more likely the issue lies with Youtube itself.
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You're watching Sports Night on CSC so stick around...

reply to MediacomChad
For the last 3 weeks or so I've seen the same behavior from Columbia, MO. I've been testing almost daily and I have no doubt that it has been introduced for Youtube and not other sites via Mediacomm (and any respective connections they leverage).

I don't mind bandwidth caps since they have been pretty reasonable for the common user, but I do take issue with selecting services to form when I'm paying extra for the top tier.

Chad, you and your team are always helpful and hopefully you can provide some insights. There is no doubt it it happening.

This issue is not just happening on our service. We are seeing reports that this exact issue is happening on multiple ISPs, and only on Youtube. As soon as we have anymore information, I will be happy to post it here.

This is definitely not a Mediacom issue. See Karl's story:

»Why Is Everyone Having YouTube Streaming Issues?

reply to JDonk
youtube is always slow. I wouldn't attribute it to mediacom.