BT fumes at Ofcom's file-sharing clampdown

[Simon]

BT has reacted angrily to Ofcom's plans to clamp down on illegal file-sharing, claiming that larger ISPs are being placed at a disadvantage.

The code of practice will apply only to customers of fixed-line ISPs with more than 400,000 customers - BT, Talk Talk, Virgin Media, Sky, Orange, O2 and the Post Office – a move which could be seen as a licence for file-sharers to switch to smaller ISPs. 

Although Ofcom says it will review the situation if copyright infringers begin to flee to niche ISPs, BT says it is concerned that the two-tier regulation could rapidly skew the market, leading to customer churn.

"Our initial reaction is that Ofcom's proposal to limit the obligations to just seven fixed operators and exclude mobile operators and fixed ISPs with less than 400k subscribers is concerning," the company said in a statement.

"The UK currently boasts a highly competitive broadband market and we believe that such a move has serious potential to distort the market."

http://www.pcpro.co.uk/news/358312/bt-fumes-at-ofcoms-file-sharing-clampdown

[Rik]

Dear, dear, what a shame.

[Ray]

  I really feel sorry for them. 

[Simon]

[dujas]

Crocodile tears, their customers are locked into 12 or 18 month contracts!

[DorsetBoy]

No one seems to have thought that any sensible ( if there is such a thing) file sharer uses a proxy so they don't leave their IP behind.

[Rik]

No-one knows what they're talking about at Ofcom.

[pctech]

Quite alarming how little technical knowledge exists at ofcom considering its a regulator.

I'm firmly of the opinion network management should be up to the ISP, if someone is hogging your network, give them the boot.

[Rik]

Not to mention a lack of common sense and too many people paid far too much.

[pctech]

One of my colleagues has been booted from 3 ISPs for over indulging in file sharing.

[Rik]

Already, I didn't think it had started yet.

[pctech]

This happened a while back and he is now on O2 I think.

He would be downloading 24/7

[Rik]

What do people do with all this stuff?

[pctech]

Watch it.

Tends to be American TV series and films I think along with cracked copies of software.

I've never downloaded such material so wouldn't know for sure.

[Rik]

I couldn't find that much time in the day to watch it all. Mind you, with my line speeds, you never know.

[Technical Ben]

What do people do with all this stuff?

I would guess, when it gets to Terra bites worth, it's the same as a full  32gb Ipod. Your not going to get to listen to a million hours worth of albums. Nor watch or play all those movies and games. But they are there just in case. Also there must be a little bit of OCD or obsession in it. 

[Rik]

That sounds like my CD and DVD collection, Ben. I can go for years without re-playing a particular disc, depending on mood and new material.