Home : Networking : News

ISPs reveal speed slowing measures

Leading ISPs unveil how their ‘traffic management’ rules affect customer broadband speeds, in an attempt to prove why these measures need to be taken.

By Jennifer Scott, 14 Mar 2011 at 12:17

gallery

A number of high profile internet service providers (ISPs) have agreed to reveal how they restrict broadband speeds through traffic management.

BT, Virgin Media and Sky are amongst the companies who have signed up to a new code of practice, drafted by the Broadband Stakeholders Group, in the hope it will show its users why restrictions need to be placed on speeds to ensure their networks remain in good health.

The ISP argument is the slowing of connections during busy periods allows them to maintain a strong network, with the breaks being put on less time critical activities.

However, there are concerns this practice will lead to a two-tiered internet, where ISPs will charge for websites to be prioritised – something critics, such as the BBC, are strongly opposed to.

But Antony Walker, chief executive of the Broadband Stakeholder Group, thinks the new code is key, as whatever policy is made around traffic management in the future, it is important for the numbers to be transparent.

“There has been more heat than light in the debate about traffic management over recent years,” he said. “This commitment to provide clear and comparable information in a common format is very important.”

Walker added: “It will not only help to ensure consumers are better informed about the services they buy and use, but will also provide a clearer picture for policy makers of the way in which traffic management is actually used in the UK market.”

Other companies backing the code include O2, TalkTalk, Three and Vodafone. All the signatories together account for 90 per cent of fixed line customers and 60 per cent of mobile customers across the UK.

The initial code will be piloted throughout 2011, with a review set for early 2012 to “fine tune” the practice. At this point, consumer groups and other interested bodies will also be invited to put their thoughts across on how the code should be formalised.

“Consumers need to be able to make informed choices about the services they buy and policy makers need to be able to make informed decisions about the policy and regulatory framework they set,” Walker added.

“This new commitment provides an essential building block for getting both of these things right.”