Q12 - Ofcom are also proposing to clamp down on ISP Fair Usage Policies (FUP) and Traffic Management measures, under the guise of a 'Net Neutrality' consultation. It is expected that this will focus on providers who advertise "unlimited" services and yet hide vague restrictions in the small print, with Ofcom likely to require greater FUP clarity.

Likewise the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has also launched a review into the use and abuse of misleading broadband speed and "unlimited" claims. What are your thoughts on the issue of how broadband services are advertised, with specific reference to speeds and usage allowances; how should the problem (if you see one) be resolved?

Answer:

Generally any steps that can be taken to provide clarity to customers is to be welcomed – broadband is open to the same kinds of misleading claims sometimes seen with time-share apartments and double-glazing sales.

Where the ASA must intervene urgently is to ensure clarity around the meaning and usage of the word “fibre” and “broadband” - FttC, is CttH, Copper to the Home for example:

Perhaps “fibre-delivered broadband” is a naming solution to help ensure people know what is on offer.

Q13 - There's plenty of research to show that demand for online video and TV services (e.g. YouTube, BBC iPlayer, SeeSaw) is growing at an exponential rate each year. Some ISPs, especially the largest providers, are finding it hard to keep up with consumer demand and appear fearful of the threat to their bottom line.

The situation looks set to get more complicated next year when YouView (Project Canvas), a supposedly open UK broadband TV standard, finally surfaces. BT Wholesale has already announced a new Content Delivery (CDN) platform to help, although that is unlikely to solve all of the problems.

What is the best solution to this issue and, crucially, can it be tackled without sacrificing the principal of Net Neutrality, which seeks to treat all internet traffic as equal?

Answer:

Edge caching of BBC iPlayer is worth serious consideration particularly for networks that have a significantly higher local speed that the internet pipe itself (Ashby is 1Gbps symmetric with 100Mbps internet access initially)

Net Neutrality CAN sit with video delivery GIVEN enough network capacity end to end – only FttH can provide this assurance.

Q14 - At present BT are only offering a 40Mb superfast broadband (FTTC) solution to ISPs through their somewhat restrictive BT Wholesale channel. However some larger ISPs, such as Sky Broadband and TalkTalk, have demanded a more flexible NGA product to help differentiate themselves . One forthcoming solution is Virtual Unbundled Local Access (VULA).

VULA is different from BT's existing physical LLU solution. Physical LLU allows rivals to install their own hardware at the telephone exchange and to even take full control of a telephone line. By contrast 'Virtual' LLU allows BT to retain control over the physical line but provides rivals with more management freedom over the connection.

Do you think VULA, which could exist for four years before a truly unbundled FTTC/FTTP solution is found, will be enough to satisfy ISP demands for greater control over BT's NGA broadband lines?

Answer:

VULA is a stepping stone at best, Dark Fibre from Digital Village Pump to Internet Exchange is the destination.

ISPreview.co.uk would just like to thank Guy Jarvis for putting such a strong effort into answering all of our questions and hope that he and his family have a very Happy Christmas.