'Throttling' Angers Netflix Heavy Renters
The AP article (http://linkwrap.com/4058) relates how Netflix is metering heavy users of the "all-you-can-eat" movie service. Yet another reason why illegitimate distribution of video continues to soar -- until the legit options provide a better experience than the other option (ie, "piracy"), consumers will continue to take the path of least resistance to get what they want, when they want it, in the most useful format (which is non-DRM'd).
The term "throttling" has reared its head in the BitTorrent world lately as well at Rogers Cable.. http://linkwrap.com/4059 The truth is, almost every ISP is over-subscribed (meaning the aggregate capacity of what they've sold consumers as broadband far exceeds the capacity in their core networks).
This is particularly true because networks were designed 10 years ago, when data traffic exhibited 10x more downstream traffic (ie, downloads) than upload traffic. Makes sense... but then along comes BitTorrent with a tit-for-tat algorithm that gave people a reason to use their upload capacity, and lo and behold, BitTorrent exceeds 50% of the data traffic in the world.
Unfortunately ISPs have to make some hard decisions about how to cope with P2P traffic costs -- Rogers Cable is clearly taking the anti-consumer approach. If you're in Canada, you should consider switching to Bell Canada's DSL service.
ISPs: There is another approach! Take for example the cableco NTL, which after its merger with Telewest will be the largest broadband ISP in the UK.
While Rogers tells users "You can't use broadband for the reason you paid for it!" NTL is saying: "Go for it! We will improve our network to enhance the downloading experience AND with BitTorrent Inc., provide legal content to download" see this: http://linkwrap.com/4060
When ISPs implement caching, it significantly reduces the cost of carrying P2P traffic and does so in a way that is completely compliant with the Digital Millenium Copyright Act.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Web_cache
http://linkwrap.com/4082
Most importantly, it allows consumers to use and take full advantage of exactly what they want to do with their broadband subscription! Don't take this as demand for network neutrality, which clearly may be cost-prohibitive.. take this a humble suggestion for how best invest and renew data networks which were designed in a different age.
The term "throttling" has reared its head in the BitTorrent world lately as well at Rogers Cable.. http://linkwrap.com/4059 The truth is, almost every ISP is over-subscribed (meaning the aggregate capacity of what they've sold consumers as broadband far exceeds the capacity in their core networks).
This is particularly true because networks were designed 10 years ago, when data traffic exhibited 10x more downstream traffic (ie, downloads) than upload traffic. Makes sense... but then along comes BitTorrent with a tit-for-tat algorithm that gave people a reason to use their upload capacity, and lo and behold, BitTorrent exceeds 50% of the data traffic in the world.
Unfortunately ISPs have to make some hard decisions about how to cope with P2P traffic costs -- Rogers Cable is clearly taking the anti-consumer approach. If you're in Canada, you should consider switching to Bell Canada's DSL service.
ISPs: There is another approach! Take for example the cableco NTL, which after its merger with Telewest will be the largest broadband ISP in the UK.
While Rogers tells users "You can't use broadband for the reason you paid for it!" NTL is saying: "Go for it! We will improve our network to enhance the downloading experience AND with BitTorrent Inc., provide legal content to download" see this: http://linkwrap.com/4060
When ISPs implement caching, it significantly reduces the cost of carrying P2P traffic and does so in a way that is completely compliant with the Digital Millenium Copyright Act.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Web_cache
http://linkwrap.com/4082
Most importantly, it allows consumers to use and take full advantage of exactly what they want to do with their broadband subscription! Don't take this as demand for network neutrality, which clearly may be cost-prohibitive.. take this a humble suggestion for how best invest and renew data networks which were designed in a different age.
Labels: throttling
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on 2.11.2006 at 13:28.
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