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Traffic shaping: Virgin Cable (ntl:telewest) will deny it strangles bandwidth to bandwith abusers

Complaints from users about poor performance on BitTorrent and VoIP services may have an explanation, according to Cable Forum. But don't expect your cable supplier to admit that they're doing it on purpose.

The broadband site says it has today seen confirmation that ntl:telewest are trialing an automatic speed reduction to 5Mbit speeds for heavy users. It currently applies to users in Swansea, and has also been tested in the Preston region.

But, says the report, "We understand that ntl:telewest will deny the customer is affected unless they directly ask if they are being traffic shaped."

The fact of traffic shaping is no longer disputable. "Heavy users who have been hammering their connection thoughout the day will have their speeds cut to 5Mbits between 4:00pm and midnight, after which the speed is reset," writes Paul M.

"For the vast majority of customers, probably in excess of 95%, ntl:telewest expect a more consistent upload and download speeds. Conversely, this indicates up to 5% of customers will see their speeds constrained."

Full story at Cable Forum.