Topic: BBC will alert users if ISPs throttle iPlayer

[Simon]

The BBC has said it will alert consumers if ISPs choose to degrade the quality of its iPlayer service.

The warning comes after Communications Minister Ed Vaizey suggested the Government had no plans to protect net neutrality, and would leave decisions on web traffic management to ISPs and content providers.

That could lead to a two-tier internet, where content providers cut deals with ISPs to ensure their services get prominence over other net traffic.

Read more: http://www.pcpro.co.uk/news/broadband/362950/bbc-will-alert-users-if-isps-throttle-iplayer

[Clive]

Makes me glad I'm no longer with BT. 

[sam]

but don't you have to use a BT line?

And good on the BBC.

[Clive]

Yes, but BT Internet were well known for throttling between 6 and 9 pm.  I don't think IDNet resort to such loathsome practices. 

[Simon]

Indeed they don't. 

[sam]

but you still have to pay for a BT line, right?

[Simon]

Right. 

[Rik]

Actually, I'd like to play Devil's Advocate here. The BBC have always accepted that they have to pay for conventional transmission methods, but they expect the ISPs and backhaul providers to give them free carriage. Isn't that hypocritical?

[Simon]

Isn't the end user that pays, though?

[Rik]

It is, but the BBC expect ISPs et al to provide free carriage, which is costly, where they pay for broadcasts. Ultimately, the end user pays twice, licence and ISP bill.

[Simon]

So, the BBC should pay ISPs to have it's users access iPlayer?  Interesting thought...

[sam]

It is, but the BBC expect ISPs et al to provide free carriage, which is costly, where they pay for broadcasts. Ultimately, the end user pays twice, licence and ISP bill.

well that's true, but it is the user that pays.. not the ISPs... so what's the problem?

[Simon]

Presumably, it's because ISPs have to 'find' the bandwidth to cater for iPlayer, especially when big events like the World Cup are on.   

[Rik]

Which leaves them with the cost of buying extra bandwidth for a period of 3 months, during most of which time they won't need it, or subjecting their customer to a reduced service at match times.

[Simon]

Unless, of course, they have surplus capacity to begin with.