A computing device (130; 600) configured to optimize video content, the computing device comprising: a processor; a network interface communicatively coupled to the processor configured to enable communications with a packet core network; a storage device (608; 612); a video optimization application stored in the storage device, wherein execution of the video optimization application by the processor configures the computing device to perform acts comprising: receiving a request for data; and upon determining that the request for data is related to video content, sending an operating mode message to an element of the packet core network to configure the element of the packet core network to transmit the video content by: (i) transmitting a predetermined volume of data of the video content in a burst mode (402; 406; 410), wherein transmitting the predetermined volume of data of the video content in the burst mode comprises transmitting the predetermined volume of data at a first data rate, wherein the burst mode is based on a maximum adaptive bit rate, ABR, such that a maximum available data rate is used to transfer the predetermined volume of data of the video content in burst mode; (ii) upon completion of the burst mode, transmitting a continuation of data related to the video content at a trickle mode (404; 408; 412), wherein transmitting a continuation of data related to the video content in the trickle mode comprises transmitting the continuation of data at a second data rate that is slower than the first data rate, where the second data rate is a constant data rate; and (iii) upon receiving a trigger event, returning to act (i). a processor; a network interface communicatively coupled to the processor configured to enable communications with a packet core network; a storage device (608; 612); a video optimization application stored in the storage device, wherein execution of the video optimization application by the processor configures the computing device to perform acts comprising: receiving a request for data; and upon determining that the request for data is related to video content, sending an operating mode message to an element of the packet core network to configure the element of the packet core network to transmit the video content by: (i) transmitting a predetermined volume of data of the video content in a burst mode (402; 406; 410), wherein transmitting the predetermined volume of data of the video content in the burst mode comprises transmitting the predetermined volume of data at a first data rate, wherein the burst mode is based on a maximum adaptive bit rate, ABR, such that a maximum available data rate is used to transfer the predetermined volume of data of the video content in burst mode; (ii) upon completion of the burst mode, transmitting a continuation of data related to the video content at a trickle mode (404; 408; 412), wherein transmitting a continuation of data related to the video content in the trickle mode comprises transmitting the continuation of data at a second data rate that is slower than the first data rate, where the second data rate is a constant data rate; and (iii) upon receiving a trigger event, returning to act (i). receiving a request for data; and upon determining that the request for data is related to video content, sending an operating mode message to an element of the packet core network to configure the element of the packet core network to transmit the video content by: (i) transmitting a predetermined volume of data of the video content in a burst mode (402; 406; 410), wherein transmitting the predetermined volume of data of the video content in the burst mode comprises transmitting the predetermined volume of data at a first data rate, wherein the burst mode is based on a maximum adaptive bit rate, ABR, such that a maximum available data rate is used to transfer the predetermined volume of data of the video content in burst mode; (ii) upon completion of the burst mode, transmitting a continuation of data related to the video content at a trickle mode (404; 408; 412), wherein transmitting a continuation of data related to the video content in the trickle mode comprises transmitting the continuation of data at a second data rate that is slower than the first data rate, where the second data rate is a constant data rate; and (iii) upon receiving a trigger event, returning to act (i). (i) transmitting a predetermined volume of data of the video content in a burst mode (402; 406; 410), wherein transmitting the predetermined volume of data of the video content in the burst mode comprises transmitting the predetermined volume of data at a first data rate, wherein the burst mode is based on a maximum adaptive bit rate, ABR, such that a maximum available data rate is used to transfer the predetermined volume of data of the video content in burst mode; (ii) upon completion of the burst mode, transmitting a continuation of data related to the video content at a trickle mode (404; 408; 412), wherein transmitting a continuation of data related to the video content in the trickle mode comprises transmitting the continuation of data at a second data rate that is slower than the first data rate, where the second data rate is a constant data rate; and (iii) upon receiving a trigger event, returning to act (i).