Method and apparatus for carrier controlled dynamic rate adaptation and client playout rate reduction

A proxy computer for use in a streaming video delivery network to enforce video streaming policies for clients using bitrate adaptation and video playout rate reduction, comprising:

• memory;
• a processor;
• input/output circuitry for connecting the proxy computer to the streaming video delivery network including connections to the clients and a video content server;
• and
• one or more data buses by which the memory, processor and input/output circuitry are coupled together,
• the memory and processor being configured to store and execute program instructions to enable the proxy computer to perform a method including:
• performing video streaming by caching video segments from a video content server and delivering cached video segments to the clients, the caching including predictively prefetching future video segments;
• monitoring a variety of operational information;
• using the operational information to calculate desired operational parameters for the network including a target bitrate for delivery of the video segments and an optimal bitrate for prefetching video segments;
• and
• notifying a client of network conditions and the need for modification of the playout rate at which the video segments are to be rendered at the client to obtain a desired mix of quality playback and conformance to the desired operational parameters of the network.