Internet traffic shaping, prioritisation in SA
The United States’ Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has proposed new rules which allow Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to prioritise traffic based on payments from content players like Google, Netflix and Disney.
This decision paves the way for content of paying companies to be delivered at much higher quality levels than content from non-paying companies.
These new rules deal a significant blow to Net Neutrality, which calls for all traffic types on the Internet to be treated equally.
In South Africa, traffic prioritisation is nothing new. Since the launch of ADSL, traffic shaping has been implemented, with unshaped data accounts available at a higher price.
In the past, South African consumers had to pay more for unshaped data and therefore better service levels on some traffic.
The new FCC model places pressure on companies to pay for prioritised traffic to ensure better service levels to consumers who use their products.
This system creates a new revenue stream to ISPs, where content providers basically help to fund networks.
Net Neutrality in South Africa
This raises the question whether such a model will be supported in South Africa. Are ISPs in favour of net neutrality, or are they keen to charge content providers for prioritized traffic?
Vodacom said that there is “certainly an argument to be made that customers should be free to choose whether they want to benefit from specialised services that mitigate against congestion”.
“As it stands, traffic management is commonly used by networks to protect service quality,” said Vodacom.
Neotel’s Abid Qadiri said that the company supports net neutrality “to the extent that the definition is limited to freedom and right of content and access to everyone”.
“However, we believe that because of differentiated services, different pricing structures are needed, as all applications on the internet are not created equal,” said Qadiri.
“Each have different demands from the internet and if users want a certain level of experience, differentiated pricing is required. Unlike voice networks, where there is only one application, the internet, with its varying applications, cannot be compared as one to one.”
Qadiri added that Neotel does not shape traffic and it does not block content as it believes it is not the role of an ISP to police or monitor traffic – subject the legal requirements to do so under applicable law.
“However, we do support that, on a highway, anyone has access to the lanes, but if someone wants a faster highway, with less on ramps and exits, then a toll for that is not unusual anywhere in the world,” he said.
Other companies which were asked for comment about their views on net neutrality include:
- Telkom – No comment
- Cell C – No comment
- MTN – No comment
More on Net Neutrality
SA Internet traffic shaping not a net neutrality issue: Cerf
Net neutrality: SA’s ADSL ISPs weigh in
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