Rapid optimization of media stream bitrate

One or more computer-readable non-transitory storage media storing one or more sequences of computer-executable instructions, which when executed by at least one processor cause the at least one processor to perform:

• determining, during a first media session between a client device and a first media server, a stable bitrate value based on a rate at which the first media server receives data from the client device in the first media session;
• based on determining the stable bitrate value, storing in a database the stable bitrate value for the client device;
• receiving, from the client device, a request to establish a second media session;
• in response to receiving the request, searching the database for a particular stable bitrate value for the client device;
• and
• sending the particular stable bitrate value to the client device, wherein the client device is configured to estimate, based on the particular stable bitrate value, an initial bitrate value for transmitting data from the client device to a second media server in the second media session.