Comcast Defends Role As Internet Traffic Cop

RCTrucker7 writes "Comcast said yesterday that it purposely slows down some traffic on its network, including some music and movie downloads, an admission that sparked more controversy in the debate over how much control network operators should have over the Internet. In a filing with the Federal Communications Commission, Comcast said such measures — which can slow the transfer of music or video between subscribers sharing files, for example — are necessary to ensure better flow of traffic over its network. In defending its actions, Comcast stepped into one of the technology industry's most divisive battles. Comcast argues that it should be able to direct traffic so networks don't get clogged; consumer groups and some Internet companies argue that the networks should not be permitted to block or slow users' access to the Web."

Comments

Cue The Laugh Track

[TheHawke]

These guys are killing me with their excuses as they do not want to scale up- or outward with their networks, instead staying oversold and overcapacity just to make their quarterlies.

For sheer PROFIT! They are willing to sacrifice QOS and customers just to make that little bar on their gross profit margins tick that much higher.

What kind of business are they in? One guess; SERVICE. In operating a customer service company, one always keeps in mind that you need to commit back into infrastructure and upgrades at least 3/4 of your monies and budgets to keep ahead of the curve. Comcast has not done so and now it's gotten them into hot water with both their custies and the fed, with this, Band-Aid they call "traffic management".

Re:If comcast wants to do this

[Moofie]

There are lots of "illegitemate uses" for just about anything you can think of. What's your point?

Doing illegitimate things may indeed be illegal, immoral, and fattening. Using tools that may be used for illegitimate things are nobody's business but the tool user's.