Cox Implements P2P Throttling on Its Network

In February, Cox will begin testing a new method of managing traffic on our high-speed Internet network in our Kansas and Arkansas markets. During the occasional times the network is congested, this new technology automatically ensures that all time-sensitive Internet traffic such as web pages, voice calls, streaming videos and gaming moves without delay. Less time-sensitive traffic, such as file uploads, peer-to-peer and Usenet newsgroups, may be delayed momentarily but only when the local network is congested. In other words, file sharing traffic will become much slower for Cox customers. Their "goal is to ensure that customers continue to experience the consistently fast, reliable Internet service theyve come to expect from Cox."

Cox has outlined what they consider time-sensitive and what is not consider time-sensitive:

Time Sensitive
* Web (Web surfing, including web-based email and chat embedded in web pages)
* VoIP (Voice over IP, telephone calls made over the Internet)
* Email
* IM (Instant messages, including related voice and webcam traffic)
* Streaming (Web-based audio and video programs)
* Games (Online interactive games)
* Tunneling & Remote Connectivity (VPN-type services for telecommuting)
* Other (Any service not categorized into another area)

Non-Time Sensitive
* File Access (Bulk transfers of data such as FTP)
* Network Storage (Bulk transfers of data for storage)
* P2P (Peer to peer protocols)
* Software Updates (Managed updates such as operating system updates)
* Usenet (Newsgroup related)

So what happens when you are throttled?

Initially, all the traffic on the Cox network will be divided into two categories: time-sensitive and non-time-sensitive. When the network is congested, time-sensitive traffic applications or uses that are naturally intolerant of delay (loading web pages, instant messages, voice calls, email and gaming) -- continues as usual. During that period, less time-sensitive traffic applications which are tolerant of some delay -- such as file uploads, peer-to-peer and Usenet newsgroups may be momentarily slowed, but only until the local congestion clears up.

We're sure that more and more ISP's will use these practices as time progresses.

More Information: Cox Bandwidth Management Policy