Last week, we saw Netflix throttle its bitrate for users across Europe, limiting content to lower-quality versions than what users are used to streaming.
It seems that could only be the beginning though, as experts tell The Sun that other services may join the TV and movie streaming company in 'rationing' internet data.
Thanks to self-isolation and government advice to remain indoors unless its absolutely necessary, internet service providers have seen a massive uptick in the amount of people using their services.
The likes of Virgin Media, O2 and BT have all seen their servers struggle under the weight of so much demand since the Covid-19 pandemic began, and thinks may only get worse from here on out.
To help keep essential services up and running, experts are suggesting that 'internet rationing' could be rolled out, meaning certain activities – streaming movies, playing online games – would be de-prioritised to allow more critical communication services to continue unhindered.
"In some cases it will be paramount to prioritise mission critical communications," expert analyst Paolo Pescatore, of PP Foresight, told The Sun.
"In these uncertain times, users should consider having a back up connection whether that be another SIM or data only plan.
"This will help them tether to their other connected devices in the home."
Netflix, Youtube, Facebook, Instagram, Apple TV and Disney+ have all already reduced the quality of their streams by about 25%, and it seems like further reductions are on the cards, too.
But its not all bad news.
Vodaphone reps told The Sun that the networks have room to take even more traffic from users forced to work, socialise and entertain themselves from home – and some experts reckon the networks could handle up to seven times as much demand as they're getting now.
It's just a matter of scaling up and getting used to the new demand.
So, for the time being, we're going to see a few restrictions placed on streaming services, but experts are confident more extreme 'data rationing' measures are a way off yet.
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