BT slammed for ending net neutrality

BT has been lambasted for opening the door to a two-speed Internet with a new content delivery network that allows ISPs to charge content providers directly.
 
Critics say the telco’s Content Connect service – launched yesterday - will reduce competition in the UK fixed line market by allowing ISPs to charge content providers for carrying their services, and spells the end of net neutrality in the country, the BBC reports.
 
BT claims the content delivery network (CDN), which is based on Cisco kit, allows ISPs to deliver digital content to TVs, PCs and mobile phones, thus overcoming problems associated with over-the-top delivery of multimedia services.
 
However Jim Killock, executive director of online consumer rights organization the Open Rights Group, said the service could results in a “fundamental shift away from buying services from the Internet to bundled services from ISPs.”
 
The shift will reduce competition and investment in Web firms, Killock cautioned, noting that the basic premise of BT’s service is to pitch ISPs in competition with the Internet over content delivery.
 
BT said the CDN would give ISPs options on how to deliver content and denied it was against net neutrality, The Independent reports.
 
The telco stated its role was to enable content delivery rather than dictate the terms of how to charge for it, the UK daily said.