said by existenz:One interesting thing I found - friends that have GFiber 'free' 5Mb service are getting Netflix 1080p. I was able to validate on a PS3 that shows the Netflix 1080 mode when pressing Select button on PS3 controller. It stays on 1080 even if stressing the 5M connection with downloads on other computers, never stepping down to 720 or SD. Netflix 1080p needs 4.8Mbps.
This implies to me that Google may be allowing higher connection to Netflix on the 5M tier and only limiting all other traffic to 5M or maybe giving Netflix higher priority. Will try to do more testing next time.
The Providers are measured on Streaming Speeds, because Verizon FiOS is around 10Mbps on the low end. So Netflix must be measuring a steady Video Stream from each Provider, which must be different than just total speed from a Provider. I have FTTH then Structured Wiring to my HDTV, and I have no problems Streaming from Amazon in HD with Synchronous 15Mbps.