[TeKnIcIaN]

It seems that some of Canada's telecom providers are using DPI (Deep Packet Inspection) to identify and limit file sharing usage.

For our Canadian users, this may affect our speed in uploading/downloading items from the media room. If your torrent client supports it (uTorrent does) you can probably get around this by checking the "Encrypt Packets" option to put the DPI off the scent. It's also a good idea to check the "Random Port" option as well. Check your torrent clients manual for details on how to set these options.

CTV.ca: 'Traffic-shaping' likely to slow Internet users

Originally Posted by CTV News

'Traffic-shaping' likely to slow Internet users

TORONTO -- Whether motivated by pragmatism or profit, Internet service providers and experts agree that consumers are likely to suffer most from "traffic-shaping'' policies implemented by some of Canada's telecom giants.

Bell Canada's recent decision to quietly restrict the amount of file-sharing traffic flowing through its network during peak times has ignited a fierce debate over the level of competition permitted in the industry and the number of options available to Internet users seeking speedy service.

The Canadian Association of Internet Providers alleges that Bell has effectively curtailed competition in the industry by applying its traffic-restriction policies to any providers who deliver Internet service using Bell's telephone lines in Quebec and Ontario.

The traffic-shaping initiative was launched without prior notice to customers in mid-March, and the association said the full extent of the measures should be in place Monday, resulting in significantly slower Internet service across the board between 4:30 p.m. ET to 2:00 a.m. ET.

Bell maintains the new policies are intended to level the playing field by preventing a small group of Internet users from hogging coveted bandwidth, although officials did not say why the policies are not being implemented in other parts of the country.

Bell is not the only major Internet provider to engage in traffic shaping. Rogers Communications has had similar policies for some time.

But one industry observer says average users have little say in the level of Internet service they receive.

"It really comes down to consumers and a lack of real choice of broadband Internet service,'' said Richard Morochove, a Toronto-based IT consultant.

"We're having . . . a near monopoly situation in Canada with respect to high-speed broadband access.''

Morochove supports Bell's assertion that the move was made to ensure equal service levels across its network.

But he sees the decision as motivated by a desire to limit competition from independent providers by placing them under the same traffic restrictions that Sympatico users have experienced since 2007.

Similar concerns prompted the Internet providers' group to file an official complaint with the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission, alleging that the traffic-shaping measures violate several sections of the country's telecommunications act.

The application, filed last week, alleges Bell is using a technique called Deep Packet Inspection, or DPI, to look at the types of data moving across the Internet and restrict the movements of certain kinds, namely transfers of large files such as movies or music over peer-to-peer networks.

The association says the new measures violate CRTC's terms under which Bell can restrict its traffic, namely if congestion was caused by equipment failure or malicious hacking.

"There is no evidence whatsoever that Bell's network is suffering from congestion, that this is the reason behind the implementation of DPI,'' the application reads.

Association chairman Tom Copeland said DPI is having an adverse effect not only on peer-to-peer download speeds but also on general Internet activity.

He said many independent service providers received complaints since Bell's new policy went into effect and believes the association's application makes a good case.

"I think we have a lot of strong arguments, because this is just wrong on so many levels,'' Copeland said.

The application asks the CRTC to order Bell to suspend its traffic-shaping practices. A CRTC spokesman said he could not comment on the status of the complaint.

But Mirko Bibic, Bell's chief of regulatory affairs, contested the claims outlined in the 56-page document.

He said Bell has the right to maintain the integrity of the network, adding that DPI technology is an objective way of monitoring online traffic.

"Bandwidth doesn't just fall from the sky,'' Bibic said, adding that demands for more bandwidth would not resolve traffic congestion issues and that traffic shaping is part of a ''multi-pronged'' strategy used to limit congestion issues.

He dismissed requests that Bell invest in more bandwidth, describing the "irony'' of receiving such requests from providers who have no infrastructure of their own and who don't directly deal with the complications of network management.

But within Bell itself, there are diverging views on what constitutes an optimal network management strategy.

Bell Aliant, the primary telephone carrier in the Maritimes, has not implemented traffic shaping policies for either its own customers or third-party providers.

"There are many different ways to manage and monitor a network,'' said Alyson Queen, public affairs manager for Bell Aliant. "We work with our customers very closely, monitor industry trends, and provide them with as much help as we can.''

In central Canada, Bell customers facing the prospect of reduced Internet speeds will also have to contend with changes to the way they pay for online access.

According to the association's application to the CRTC, Bell has eliminated its unlimited Internet plan and as of June 30 will bill based on how much bandwidth a customer has used, mimicking the billing format used by cellphone service providers.

Rogers recently announced similar billing changes to take effect in June, charging between $1.25 and $5 for every extra gigabyte a customer uses.

Copeland said Telus, another major telecom giant with a strong western customer base, neither engages in traffic shaping nor bills according to usage.

[funkdoctorspock]

At this point, I would be willing to pay a bit more for proper service. If the addition fees go to the crtc so they can distribute to the entertainment, gaming and software industries. So be it.

I'm just sick and tired at this point for paying for a service which I'm not receiving.

utorrent is on the money and things are working smoothly with it. Kudos to them.