Canadian regulators allow P2P throttling

Canada's telecom regulator won't stop Bell Canada from throttling P2P traffic on its retail and wholesale Internet services, but it will launch an entirely new inquiry into the big questions surrounding traffic management and network neutrality.

November 20, 2008 - 11:55AM CT - by Nate Anderson

Leave net neutrality to the FCC? No way, says senator

Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-ND) isn't content to let the FCC slap around badly-behaving ISPs on a case-by-case basis. The US needs network neutrality laws, he thinks, and he plans to re-introduce his bill early next year.

November 14, 2008 - 10:53AM CT - by Nate Anderson

EFF "Switzerland" packet monitor tool looks for ISP meddling

The Electronic Frontier Foundation has released a network monitoring tool called Switzerland that can look for modified or injected packets in any protocol, but you'll need to be a power user to get the software running.

August 01, 2008 - 12:55PM CT - by Nate Anderson

Hammer drops at last: FCC opposes Comcast P2P throttling

The Comcast P2P saga has come to its final chapter as a majority of FCC commissioners today voted to sanction the company. The FCC's Internet Policy Statement now sports some unexpectedly sharp teeth.

July 25, 2008 - 09:13PM CT - by Nate Anderson

Yankee Hotel Net Neutrality? Indie rockers back an open 'Net

A collection of network neutrality-loving musicians are releasing a benefit album later this month to support the cause, but you can hear the tracks from Bright Eyes, Wilco, Aimee Mann, and Guster today.

July 04, 2008 - 10:00AM CT - by Nate Anderson

Sandvine calls net neutrality "laughable," defends filtering

Sandvine makes deep packet inspection gear that ISPs use to identify and throttle traffic, but the company's CEO says he's not evil, just saving the Internet.

June 23, 2008 - 01:30PM CT - by Nate Anderson

Tim Wu: iPhone central to "future of the Internet"

Mobile devices and mobile networks suffer far more restrictions than their tethered counterparts. As mobile grows in importance, Columbia prof Tim Wu wants to see both networks and devices opened up to generativity.

June 08, 2008 - 09:18PM CT - by Nate Anderson

Canadian punk rocker-turned-MP submits net neutrality bill

A former punk rocker has just introduced network neutrality legislation to Canada's House of Commons, and he's putting all the P2P throttlers in Canada on notice.

May 29, 2008 - 05:05AM CT - by Nate Anderson

Senator to ISPs: "Think twice" about 'Net neutrality... or else

Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) pledged today to devote "every ounce of my energy to protect network neutrality" and told ISPs to watch out; if they undermine neutrality, they risk losing safe harbor and tax protections.

May 06, 2008 - 10:53PM CT - by Nate Anderson

Who should pay? BBC, UK ISPs argue over iPlayer traffic

UK telecoms regulator Ofcom told Parliament this week that the BBC should not have to pay ISPs to upgrade their networks, which are allegedly groaning beneath the weight of iPlayer traffic. So who does pay?

April 25, 2008 - 01:35PM CT - by Nate Anderson

P2P throttling leading to net neutrality showdown in Canada

Some small ISPs have been complaining to Canadian regulators for weeks about Bell Canada's throttling of P2P apps on their services, especially since the slowdowns don't produce any speed gains for other protocols.

April 24, 2008 - 01:03PM CT - by Nate Anderson

Senators push FCC on Comcast, net neutrality at hearing

Lawrence Lessig teamed up with the Christian Coalition and the Writers Guild of America to press Congress on network neutrality. The idea "should not be controversial," according to Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-ND)... but it is. The Christian Coalition suggests less cable porn might solve the problem.

April 22, 2008 - 02:25PM CT - by Nate Anderson

Canadians debating net neutrality in wake of Bell throttling

After Bell Canada started throttling P2P traffic during evening hours, even for its resellers, several protest groups have launched, and the issue has escalated to the floor of the House of Commons.

April 03, 2008 - 08:40PM CT - by Nate Anderson

New 'Net neutrality bill surfaces in House (updated)

Reps. Ed Markey (D-MA) and Chip Pickering (R-MS) have introduced a bill that would force the FCC to take a long, hard look at network neutrality. The Commission would also have to (gasp) hear from the public... at least eight times.

February 13, 2008 - 09:31AM CT - by Nate Anderson

The coming exaflood, and why it won't drown the Internet

For most of 2007, pundits have warned that a coming surge in traffic could threaten innovation and lead to "brownouts." We've heard these claims before; are they any truer this time around?

December 16, 2007 - 11:34PM CT - by Nate Anderson

Vuze asks FCC to end P2P blocking as more reports of ISP shenanigans arise

P2P video company Vuze has asked the FCC to intervene in the debate over P2P traffic blocking even as Cox is caught interfering with eDonkey traffic.

November 16, 2007 - 11:58AM CT - by Eric Bangeman

Comcast hit with class-action lawsuit over traffic blocking

Less than two weeks after a complaint was filed with the FCC, Comcast now faces a class-action lawsuit over its practice of blocking BitTorrent and other P2P traffic.

November 14, 2007 - 04:57PM CT - by Eric Bangeman

Net neutrality foes back FCC investigation into Comcast traffic blocking

One of the most vocal anti-network neutrality lobby groups has written to the FCC... in support of an investigation of Comcast. Pressure is building on the FCC to act, and opponents of net neutrality would rather have an industry-friendly FCC investigating the issue than a new law.

November 12, 2007 - 01:56PM CT - by Nate Anderson

Advocacy group to FCC: Comcast's traffic blocking defense is bogus

Comcast's P2P blocking has aroused the ire of some public interest groups, who have filed a complaint with the FCC seeking to have Comcast barred from blocking traffic and fined millions of dollars.

November 01, 2007 - 12:30PM CT - by Eric Bangeman

Once thought dead, net neutrality roars back to center stage

Network neutrality has lost some steam, but the boilers have returned to full pressure after two senators ask Congress for an investigation. AT&T, Verizon, and Comcast have only themselves to blame.

October 29, 2007 - 08:50AM CT - by Nate Anderson