Vuze, the online video service that uses peer-to-peer technology to distribute its content, has come up with hard data suggesting “bandwidth throttling” is more widespread than previously thought.
Some internet service providers (ISPs) have not taken kindly to surges in P2P traffic on their network, with the file exchanges consuming large amounts of bandwidth. Although consumers can argue they have paid for unlimited bandwidth with their monthly subscriptions, companies such as Comcast have used techniques that disrupt P2P traffic and have become the subject of complaints to the Federal Communications Commission in the US.
Vuze made available a software plug-in to users in January that looks for “reset packets”, used to interrupt a network connection, and sends such information back to Vuze for collation.
Today it released its initial findings based on results from 8,000 users around the world.
Comcast tops the table, with one of its networks interrupting 24 per cent of connections. Ten other Comcast networks figure in the top 20. Canada’s Cogeco is fourth with a 19 per cent interruption rate and others with high rates include Emirates Internet, Cablevision, BellSouth, AOL and Tiscali UK.
For almost-interruption-free file downloads, the best bet seems to be Telecom Italia France with a 2.5 per cent rate.
Vuze’s conclusion: “We believe that there is sufficient data to suggest that network management practices that ‘throttle’ internet traffic are widespread.”
The company has written to Cablevision, Cogeco, BellSouth (now owned by AT&T) and AOL asking them to “clarify their broadband management practices in the interest of transparency for consumers.”
