BlackBerry CEO Chen: Netflix discriminates against BlackBerry users

Apple and streaming video service provider Netflix are violating the "network neutrality" principle because it has not developed applications for BlackBerry platforms, Chen, the BlackBerry CEO, said this week in a "network neutrality" debate.

Chen said Apple limited the use of imessage applications only via the iOS platform, while Netflix did not develop applications for the BlackBerry platform. BlackBerry Messenger and BES12 management software are now available for multiple platforms, he notes, but "unfortunately, not all content and application providers comply with the principles of openness and neutrality".

Netflix is a staunch supporter of the "net neutrality" principle, but according to Chen, the company has "discriminated against BlackBerry users and refused to provide its own streaming media movie playback service". Netflix said in 2012 that it did not plan to develop applications for the BlackBerry platform, but said "the plan could change". But Netflix has not changed that plan so far.
Overall, Apple limited its software only to iOS platforms, but itunes and icloud are available on the Windows platform.

Network neutrality (receptacle neutrality) means that all Internet users can access network content, run applications, access devices, and select service providers on their own choice, within the scope of the law. This principle requires equal treatment of all Internet content and access, to prevent operators from commercial interests to control the priority of transmission data, to ensure the "neutrality of network data transmission."

The companies have created a "dual wireless broadband ecosystem" that allows iphone and Android users to get more apps than BlackBerry or Windows Phone users, Chen said. "If we really want a free, open and non-discriminatory Internet, then network neutrality must be managed at both the application and the content level," he said. "(Zhou)