BBC iPlayer could have access restricted by broadband providers
13th August 2007
BBC iPlayer could have access restricted by broadband providers
The BBC's new iPlayer could already be facing its first problems despite it still being in BETA testing stages.
ISPs are worried that the iPlayer is going to use up lots of bandwidth as it allows users to catch up on TV programmes from the last 7 days and watch them within a month of downloading them.
Video-On-Demand uses up allot of bandwidth and ISPs are threatening to restrict access to the iPlayer unless the BBC helps to fund the cost of the bandwidth. If the service does become extremely popular then it could well place a large strain on the broadband providers networks and slow the networks down especially at peak times of the day.
With the ever increasing need for more bandwidth and broadband providers still offering "unlimited" broadband when they often have a "fair usage policy" in place it might finally mean that only broadband providers truly offering unlimited broadband can use the term as more and more users are embracing technologies such as video-on-demand and using sites like the BBC iPlayer and YouTube meaning that more and more customers are going over the limit that broadband providers state in their "fair usage policies".
Author: Rob Cook Copyright: BroadbandWatchdog.co.uk - NetMediaUK.com
ISPs are worried that the iPlayer is going to use up lots of bandwidth as it allows users to catch up on TV programmes from the last 7 days and watch them within a month of downloading them.
