The Wall Street Journal on Sunday broke the story that Netflix is going to pay Comcast so that Netflix’s streaming subscribers will have access to a smooth viewing experience. Not only does this put a crimp in Netflix’s business model, but it could also mean that the era of net neutrality as we know it is dead. While the terms of the deal were unannounced, Netflix is said to get direct access to Comcast’s broadband network. The connection Netflix is getting is known as “paid peering,” which allows Netflix’s network to connect directly to Comcast’s network. Prior to the deal, Netflix used intermediaries to access Comcast’s network. Following the report, both companies confirmed the deal, noting it’s “a mutually beneficial interconnection
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