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BBC Warns ISPs Against Broadband Throttling
By Doug Caverly
Staff Writer
Article Date: 2010-11-19
UK ISPs that try to limit users' download speeds may come up against the largest broadcaster in the world. The BBC warned ISPs this week that it could show individuals a sort of traffic light, allowing them to see - and presumably object - when traffic was being throttled.
The BBC's iPlayer, which allows users to watch recently aired programs at a time of their choosing, is at least in part the cause of the BBC's stand against throttling. iPlayer traffic consumes a lot of bandwidth, and in the event ISPs ask companies to pay more money for better service, the BBC probably wouldn't comply.
As a result, it makes sense that the BBC would be in favor of net neutrality, where no site or service would be given higher priority than another.
The proposed traffic light system is just an extra threat of sorts to keep ISPs in line. After all, consumers get unhappy enough when video playback stutters under normal circumstances; they're sure to raise a fuss if it's the fault of an ISP giving less than 100 percent.
So we'll see what happens. Regulator Ofcom and the European Commission are willing to let ISPs throttle traffic if they want. Meanwhile, consumer groups and now the BBC seem poised to make that switch as a difficult as possible.
It's hard to say when a definitive showdown will occur, in any event.
About the Author:
Doug is a staff writer for WebProNews. Visit WebProNews for the latest eBusiness news.
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