Operators consider second-class networks for P2P traffic

摘要

A number of network operators and ISPs world-wide are considering measures that will force traffic generated by peer-to-peer (P2P) file-sharing onto network paths with lower levels of service. Close management of burgeoning P2P traffic would reduce the costs carriers incur in its carriage and allow the highest-quality network infrastructure to be reserved for more-lucrative applications, typically used by businesses. Peer-to-peer traffic has grown with the increase of music and video downloads through broadband networks. File-sharing, the main use of P2P, uses protocols such as FastTrack and eDonkey to maintain a connection through a carrier's network for the duration of a software, music or video download. As broadband networks Were designed for traffic delivered in bursts, rather than continuous use, and as broadband becomes more ubiquitous, the problem for operators can only get worse. T-Systems studies suggest that file-sharing accounts for as much as 70 per cent of the IP traffic on Deutsche Telekom's network already.