Captain’s log, Stardate 03-19-2020. The world is in complete disarray. Everyone has retreated into their homes, disappearing into worlds formed in front of them on a flat screen. And at their disposal is virtually every piece of content imaginable. Across the many streaming platforms such as Netflix, Hulu, HBO Now, Disney+, and more, we have found solace in the stories that filmmakers have been telling for decades. As such, it’s no surprise to hear that there is concern over internet bandwidth.

Variety is reporting that one European Union official has asked Netflix and other streaming services to degrade the video quality of their services. In giving viewers the option for standard definition over high definition, they are hoping to conserve bandwidth during the pandemic we’re all going through.

Of course, it’s not just the streaming services that are eating up bandwidth. We’re all learning just how much work can be done remotely in this time, but that requires the use of remote services like Zoom, which could help lead to congested broadband networks down the line. As such, E.U. Commissioner for Internal Market Thierry Breton is lobbying for Netflix to switch to SD, “when HD is not necessary.”

“Important phone conversation with @ReedHastings, CEO of @Netflix,” Breton wrote in a tweet. “To beat #COVID19, we #StayAtHome. Teleworking & streaming help a lot but infrastructures might be in strain. To secure Internet access for all, let’s #SwitchToStandard definition when HD is not necessary.”

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As much as this disappoints me, it does make sense. The last thing we’d want to do is cripple the ever-important internet just because we want to watch things in higher quality. But will Netflix actually listen to Breton?

“Commissioner Breton is right to highlight the importance of ensuring that the internet continues to run smoothly during this critical time,” a Netflix representative told CNN. “We’ve been focused on network efficiency for many years, including providing our Open Connect service for free to telecommunications companies.”

That’s a super non-committal statement as far as I’m concerned, but I can’t exactly blame them. It’s not like they could say much of anything without the stocks taking a hit and their customers complaining up a storm. As of right now, about an hour of streaming takes up roughly 3 GB of data, so you can imagine if we’re facing increased streaming in addition to increased overall activity that it could pose quite a problem if not addressed.

But is this the right solution? I’m admittedly torn on this. A part of me wants us to be proactive so that we don’t inadvertently break the internet, so to speak, but dammit, I like my HD content. At the very least, it should be looked into if this can be a serious problem, and if so, we should address it sooner rather than later. Let us know your thoughts down below!

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SOURCE: Variety, CNN