Broadband networks could feel the strain of Christmas presents

There are concerns that as a result of the type of activities that consumers are partaking in following the Christmas period the nation’s broadband networks could be put under strain.

At this time of year many people spend time making use of the various gifts that they have received for Christmas, and with gifts becoming increasingly sophisticated and technical it is thought that this could create some problems. With many people playing things such as the online games that they have received, streaming television and downloading content on new computers, and the like it is thought that the broadband networks in the UK could experience problems.

According to a recent report some people may experience problems with their broadband because of the number of people that will still be playing their new online games, using their new computers, and generally putting increased pressure on the nation’s broadband networks, which could in turn affect other users.

It is thought that Internet traffic will most likely increase as a result of people using their new gifts, and whilst this may ease off to some degree as the year goes on and the novelty wears off for people the strain could still affect many people. With more and more people streaming television shows those with new computers for Christmas or those that have been treated to broadband connections could quickly get into the habit of doing this. Officials have said that in order to reduce strain people should try to stream content only when they need to rather than doing it as a matter of course.

There are also concerns that this increased usage could result in some people exceeding the fair usage policy that comes with their broadband service, as many may be unaware of what this is. One official stated: The BBC is now offering high-definition (HD) versions of its programming and [one] hour’s worth of HD programming is around 1.3 gigabytes. If try and stream that live then you might trigger a fair usage policy.”

Source – BCS