Comcast, Verizon troubles illustrate peer-to-peer software opportunity
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Internet service providers have to walk a fine line between fairness and profitability. Users want maximum service, and are entitled to honest contracts. Maybe there's a way to help everyone at once.
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Use of a peer-to-peer program called BitTorrent is way up--and that could be bad news for opponents of file sharing.
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The networkâs charge for access to content over the Internet has been troubling.
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The FTC's peer-to-peer workshop brings opposing sides together, and they agree something should be done, but it's that uncertain something that is causing trouble. Michael Grebb reports from Washington.
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Major cable operators Comcast and Time Warner Cable have executed  required agreements to license essential OpenCable&#8482;  Applications Platform (OCAP&#8482;) intellectual  property and obtain security certificates for OCAP applications.
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Companies trying to deploy Internet phone calling face varied costs depending on the technology provider, according to a report.
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Two public-interest groups praised the U.S. Federal Communications Commission for opening three inquiries into network traffic management practices by broadband providers and mobile phone carriers.The FCC announced Monday it would launch inquires into the blocking of some text messages on mobile phone networks, into the slowing of p-to-p (peer-to-peer) traffic, and into what constitutes reasonable broadband traffic management. The three inquires were based on complaints by public interest groups such as Public Knowledge and Free Press and by Vuze, a company that uses the BitTorrent p-to-p protocol to distribute Web-based video.Public Knowledge, Free Press, Vuze, and other organizations filed complaints with the FCC after press reports last year that broadband provider&#160;Comcast slowed BitTorrent traffic. Several public-interest groups also filed a complaint after Verizon Wireless denied Naral Pro-Choice America, an abortion rights group, access when the group asked to the carrier to allow Verizon customers to sign up for text-messaging alerts.&#160;Verizon reversed the decision&#160;a day later.Comcast spokeswoman Sena Fitzmaurice confirmed Tuesday that Comcast has received a letter from the FCC asking the broadband provider to describe its traffic management practices. The FCC inquiry more broadly targets broadband traffic management by all broadband providers.Similarly, the text-messaging inquiry is looking at whether any mobile phone operators should be able to block text messages. And the traffic-management inquiry focuses on what are acceptable traffic management practices industrywide, not just at Comcast.Comcast repeated a&#160;statement it released last week, when FCC chairman Kevin Martin said he planned to look into the complaints. Comcast believes its actions constitute &quot;reasonable network management&quot; and are &quot;necessary for the good of all customers,&quot; the statement said. Comcast does not halt access to any Web site or services, including p-to-p services, the statement said.Public Knowledge, Free Press, and other groups have pushed the FCC and the U.S. Congress to adopt so-called net neutrality rules, which would prohibit broadband providers from blocking or slowing Web content from competitors. Comcast and other providers have argued that some network management is needed to protect customers against bandwidth hogs.Public Knowledge praised the FCC for its three new inquires, saying the investigations will help define consumer rights online. &quot;These inquiries will go a long way to setting out a road map for determining who will control the Internet, and whether texting will be seen in the same light as wireless voice services,&quot; Public Knowledge president Gigi Sohn said by e-mail. &quot;We anticipate that at the end of the day, consumers will have more control over their Internet and wireless experiences than they do now.&quot;Free Press also praised the FCC action. &quot;Free speech should be protected everywhere -- whether it&#39;s text messages, phone calls, e-mails, or the Internet,&quot; Ben Scott, policy director of Free Press, said in a statement. &quot;The FCC has started to respond to a growing public outcry, but they shouldn&#39;t drag their feet. Companies like Comcast and Verizon have showed repeatedly that they can&#39;t be trusted. Without quick and decisive action, they&#39;ll keep blocking, manipulating and interfering.&quot;
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Verizon Communications Inc. looks  increasingly impatient to roll out its Web-based television  service nationwide, suing a Maryland county last week for  hampering its entry, but getting licenses may only be half the  battle.
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Vonage, an Internet phone company, may receive a temporary lifeline as it struggles to survive a patent dispute with Verizon Communications.
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A chipset promising to allow users to send high definition (HD) video wirelessly throughout the home faces hurdles in the market due to competing technology standards, market researcher Gartner Inc. said Monday.
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At CES 2008 last month, it was surprising to see Comcast as a brand being tossed around with the likes of Matsushita, Motorola, and Sony. Now it's time to see if its video-on-demand strategy is starting to pay off.
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Internet decisions aren't always made at Internet speeds.
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They're not just for file-sharing anymore: P2P networks are transmitting phone calls, blocking spam, backing up hard drives, and spreading scholarship.
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Company has defended its practice of sometimes slowing P-to-P networks such as BitTorrent.
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Comcast Corp. is joining the crowd of major cable TV and telephone companies venturing into Internet-based phone service, but with a higher price and extra features which the nation's largest cable provider hopes will set its product apart.
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The voice-over-IP market is growing, and by next year, 50% of all lines installed in the U.S. are expected to rely on VoIP technology -- despite continuing concerns that installations can be costly.
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Comcast and Time Warner are exploring an alliance to buy the bankrupt cable outfit. If their bid wins, then they divide the spoils.