Trying To Figure Out How To Best Handle Internet Congestion
ISPs in favor of throttling and other controls generally argue that they are in danger of being “overwhelmed,” which again isn’t a necessary condition but the result of business decisions (offering 400 homes one 12Mbps upload pipe, for instance, was never going to deliver really spectacular service). While they can’t truly be “overwhelmed” (cable modems and DSLAMs cap upload and download speeds based on how much a user pays per month, so the maximum data rate is well known), ISPs don’t want to pay for huge amounts of peak capacity that will sit unused much of the time. ISPs oversold service on the premise that they operate like roads and most cars wouldn’t be on the highway at once.
Nate Anderson
Google Backs ISP Guaranteed Minimum Date Rates
Much has been made of this issue. Companies like Comcast, Time Warner and others are portrayed as the online equivalent of “Big Oil”, robbing millions of helpless customers with exorbitant, monthly internet fees. Personally I just don’t see internet companies as these evil people. I think there is something to be said of higher prices and companies charging those because they can. But I also believe, just as the retail industry charges more for items to help offset shoplifting, that blame in this issue falls on both sides.
People feel emboldened to utilize as much bandwidth as they want because they feel they’re paying a hefty price. Companies build networks inadequate to handle the resulting congestion and all measures to throttle bandwidth comes across as somehow taking away my bandwidth ability. This simplified cycle results in ever increasing internet congestion. Personally I do not feel I should have to pay an extra $5, $10 or $25 a month because the guy two doors down from me is downloading DVD-quality rips of every Family Guy season. But the fact is I am. I buy access into a community pool and if everyone decides to swim at the same time, well it could get a bit crowded for a while. Until this gets resolved though, I just have to hope I have enough bandwidth to catch up on TV episodes at Hulu.com or watch the Boston Red Sox over at MLB.TV.
This entry was posted on Wednesday, August 6, 2008 at 2:16pm. It has been filed under Business, Media, Television, Quotes, News, Politics, Thoughts, Technology, Writers, Joshua.
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