System and method for enabling network based rate determination for adaptive video streaming

A method for enabling a network based rate determination for adaptive video streaming, the method comprising:

• receiving, by a server, a request for a current video segment from an end user device;
• determining, by the server, a plurality of variables, the plurality of variables including a download time of a previously requested video segment by the end user device, an estimate of fullness of a buffer at the end user device and an estimate of a size of the buffer, the download time being a period of time from when the server sends an earlier request to a content server for the previously requested video segment until the server receives the request for the current video segment from the end user device;
• and
• performing, by the server, the rate determination based on one or more of the determined plurality of variables;
• requesting, by the server, the current video segment from the content server;
• and
• sending, by the server, the current video segment to the end user device according to the determined rate.