Is online TV throttling broadband networks?

The massive increase in bandwidth-heavy online TV and video content being downloaded by UK broadband users has raised questions about whether current networks can cope and who should pay for any upgrades.

Specifically the recent surge of interest in the BBC's iPlayer online on-demand TV service raised this issue following a massive 3.5 million programmes being streamed or downloaded in the two weeks following its marketing launch alone.

And as more of these bandwidth-heavy content services - such as the multi-broadcaster Kangaroo media player - are launched and more people use them, the result could potentially be gridlock on broadband networks as bandwidth is used up.

BBC iPlayer: all the coverage

♦  BBC's iPlayer is go
♦  BBC iPlayer sparks broadband row
♦  16,000 back iPlayer petition
♦  Leader: Time for a ceasefire in iPlayer row
♦  BBC tech chief hits back at iPlayer critics
♦  Open sourcers welcome BBC iPlayer for Linux
♦  BBC iPlayer gets 3.5 million hits

But if this is going to be a bandwidth problem does the responsibility to fund network upgrades to cope with it lie with the internet service providers (ISPs) or the content providers?

Tiscali, which also owns Pipex, has been the most vocal ISP on this subject and has stated in the past it believes content providers such as the BBC should foot the bill for upgrading networks to cope with the content they're now churning out.

Tiscali claims that both the streaming and download versions of the BBC's iPlayer can create problems on its network.

Last August a Tiscali spokeswoman told silicon.com: "We don't believe that the potential for it to cause congestion is being properly recognised and acknowledged."

Tiscali employs traffic shaping on its network with bandwidth for large packets of data restricted at peak times to ensure every customer has a similar service.

This means services such as iPlayer or Channel 4's 4OD can be slowed (but not interrupted) as available bandwidth is reduced.

Despite its comments, Tiscali says it would not target iPlayer content for traffic shaping - possibly as it can't distinguish iPlayer content from other BBC traffic - but the issue is something the company is concerned about.

Speaking to silicon.com this week, a Tiscali spokeswoman said: "If the content providers don't come to the table on this, the cost will be solely on the end user. It is an issue and we want to talk about it."

She added: "My hope for this year is there will be some sort of cross industry consultation on this."

Industry regulator Ofcom is also aware of the potential looming conflict and told silicon.com broadband traffic prioritisation is likely to be necessary in the near future as different kinds of traffic such as voice, video and data continue to proliferate.

Click here for page 2 of this article…