Porn straining mobile networks
Japan is one of the most advanced countries when it comes to broadband Internet access and technology usage, but even these networks are starting to take strain under the heavy usage from some subscribers.
According to Bloomberg Tokyo-based mobile carriers DoCoMo and KDDI say they’ve been forced to impose limits on the heaviest users as the $74 billion network feels the strain.
Many of these ‘heavy users’ are using their mobile phones to consume pornography – typically in video format. Flat-rated unlimited Internet means that these users can download as many movies as they want per month.
Privacy laws mean that telecoms companies can not accurately assess what type of content is consumed, but Japan’s main pornography providers was quick to point out that mobile content is a strong growth point for them.
“Pornography will eventually open a debate about how carriers should modify their business model as data traffic swells,” Yusuke Tsunoda, a telecommunications analyst at Tokai Tokyo Securities Co, is quoted as saying by Bloomberg. “It may prompt even tighter access restrictions.”
Porn clogging up networks – give your views
Loading ...