Ofcom Target Internet Traffic Management

The independent regulator and competition authority for the UK communications industries has published a discussion paper on the practice of internet traffic management.
Ofcom outlined the technique used by network operators and internet service providers (ISPs) to stem or accelerate the flow of traffic over the web.
This practice may allow network operators and ISPs to handle traffic more efficiently, to prioritise traffic by type, to guarantee bandwidth or to block or degrade the quality of certain content.
However, it has also led to concerns that network operators and ISPs could engage in anti-competitive behaviour and suppress the quality of content from provider services.
The purpose of the paper is to open up a discussion on how Ofcom's existing and future powers might be used to address traffic management concerns and what stance Ofcom should take on any potential anti-competitive discrimination.
It also raises questions about transparency and consumers’ awareness of the traffic management policy of the broadband service they have paid for.
(BMcN/GK)