Comcast Claims No One Has Complained About Its New Traffic Slowing Efforts

From TechDirt: Last month, Comcast, in addition to finally revealing the broadband caps it had always had, admitted that it was going to test a system where it slowed down traffic for heavy users in congested areas -- effectively, sending their internet traffic to the back of the line. The company is now claiming that this plan is a success because in five trials there were no complaints about slower traffic. Of course, what the company means is that there were no direct complaints to the company. They don't know if people were pissed off and shopping for competitive services (if any actually exist), or were complaining to friends or in online forums. Having dealt with Comcast customer service, and after seeing how Comcast (falsely) denied its traffic shaping efforts for months, perhaps customers impacted by this new system simply realized that it wasn't worth the hassle of complaining directly to Comcast.

Comcast appeals FCC Web-blocking decision

Last month, the FCC determined that Comcast is violating a federal policy that guarantees unfettered access to the Internet. Now, Comcast is challenging the FCC decision in the U.S. District Court of Appeals in Washington.

The Comcast case arose from complaints by users of a type of "file-sharing" software often used to download large data files, usually video.

Tests by The Associated Press and others found that file-sharing transmissions were aborting prematurely. It was later discovered that the company was cutting off transfers without informing customers.

The FCC noted Comcast's network management practices were "discriminatory and arbitrary" and that the company's practices "contravene industry standards and have significantly impeded Internet users' ability to use applications and access content of their choice."

The agency also noted that the type of traffic Comcast is blocking has become "a competitive threat" to cable operators because it is used by people to view high-quality video that they "might otherwise watch (and pay for) on cable television."

While the FCC did not impose a fine on Comcast (unfortunately), it did require Comcast to document how it shapes network traffic, or "discriminatory network management". Meanwhile, a public interest law firm representing two consumer groups and a California company that benefits from the type of file-sharing software targeted by Comcast filed appeals in New York, Philadelphia and San Francisco. The legal challenges, filed last week, ask the court to force Comcast to cease its management practices immediately rather than by the end of the year. Let's all hope the appeals court agrees with the FCC. We really don't need our ISP's "shaping" our network traffic. This is just another attempt by the ISP's to provide as little service for as much price as possible. Network Neutrality, FTW!