BBC iPlayer and BT Option 1

nowtsquared

It looks as if BT are throttling the speed on this service - more details can be found here

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/technology/2009/06/iplayerbbc_v_bt.html

herman2811

Presumably this would apply to other ISPs that use BT's equipment? (ie, non-LLU). It would explain why I haven't been able to use iplayer during the last few evenings.

damienuk

No, I don't think it applies to all BT ADSL connections, just those using BT's own Internet service (i.e. if you have a BT-based wholesale product via another ISP, you're almost certainly going onto your ISP's own network, meaning they control any traffic shaping).

So, as I understand, the shaping in question (by BT) is happening on their network, rather than at exchange/backhaul level. Since BT charge ISP's (extortionate rates) for the backhaul between ATM network and ISP POP, then I suppose it would be in BT's interests to keep that utilisation high (i.e. forcing the ISPs to upgrade their backhaul and/or add additional ones), so I'd be surprised if BT are actually throttling specific traffic at exchange level.

However, of course ADSL is contended at the exchange which means you'll be (officially anyway) at something like 50:1, meaning at busy times you will get anything as low as 1/50th of the speed you pay for. It may alternatively be that other ISP's have a similar policy... lots dislike the additional usage burden iPlayer puts onto their service, but I have little sympathy with them if:
a) You're within the limits of the package (e.g. if you have a 10GB/month limit, like the BT option 1 example)
b) They sold an "unlimited" product

If your speeds don't match expectations then consider changing: look for short contract term (e.g. max of 3 months) and free/cheap migration. It's generally quite quick and easy to move your broadband to another provider...