Network management

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There continues to be phenomenal growth of consumer Internet traffic throughout the world. Bell, similar to other providers here in Canada, may be required to manage its network in such a way that no customer, service or application consumes excessive bandwidth which may impede the use and enjoyment of other customers. Bell is using Internet Traffic Management to ensure we deliver bandwidth fairly to our customers during peak periods of Internet usage. In order to continue to ensure a consistently high level of service for all of our customers, traffic management allows Bell to deliver a consistent and reliable experience to all its customers who use real-time sensitive applications like browsing, video streaming and instant messaging during peak periods of Internet usage.

So, how is Bell managing traffic on its network?

Bell is using the latest, state-of-the-art technology to improve the customer experience for a vast majority of our customers’ favourite applications (such as Internet Browsers, E-mail, Instant Messaging, Streaming Video, etc.) as required during peak periods on the Internet, while ensuring all customers receive fair use of the network when there is heavy Internet traffic. In addition, Bell continues to make significant investments in network capacity and speed to meet the growing Internet demand.

When was this launched?

These traffic management measures began in October 2007 for Bell Internet DSL and December 2008 for Bell Internet Portable and Rural.

Are other ISPs doing the same?

Yes. Other Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in Canada are implementing similar solutions to continue to maintain adequate service levels.

Why was this introduced? What are some of the applications that will benefit?

The phenomenal growth of Internet traffic seen by all the ISPs has been causing congestion on the Internet. Bell has chosen to reduce the impact of this congestion by using a combination of increased capacity and better Internet Traffic Management during periods of peak usage. This solution will also ensure that all our customers get fair use of the Internet during these periods. As a result, many types of online experiences will be improved, such as the following common applications:

“Real-time” applications like -

• Browser Applications
  • Internet Explorer
  • Safari
  • Firefox
• Email Applications
  • Outlook Express
  • Outlook
  • WebMail
• Instant Messaging
• Online Gaming
• Internet Radio
• Streaming video from YouTube, etc.

As well as “client-server” download services like -

• iTunes
• Sympatico/MSN Music Store
• Microsoft Windows Update

How does this improve customers’ online experience?

By better balancing Internet traffic, this solution helps protect and improve the performance of these common applications for all customers. Bell’s technology solution is only active during peak usage periods (currently 4:30 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. for Bell Internet DSL and 4:30 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. for Bell Internet Portable and Rural) when Internet traffic becomes congested in order to maximize the ability for customers to use and enjoy their Bell Internet service.

What is Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) and what does it have to do with Internet traffic management?

Deep packet inspection or DPI is a technology used in the industry to examine the types of traffic going across a network, but not the content. During peak periods, Bell uses DPI to identify peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing traffic which is less time sensitive than other real-time sensitive applications, such as web browsing or video streaming. Because P2P file sharing applications are less time sensitive, they can be slowed when Internet traffic becomes congested during peak periods without interrupting use of the service.

When Bell uses DPI as part of its traffic management measures during peak periods of Internet usage, we do not examine the actual content of traffic and we only collect for a limited time your IP address. For example, we do not know the content of your communications nor your search activities. However, for traffic management to work properly, we use DPI technology to assess traffic data along with each IP address to determine what type of traffic it is so that we can treat it accordingly (e.g. if it is P2P file sharing traffic, we may slow it down during times of peak Internet usage to support other activities like web browsing and video streaming). Once the traffic has been sorted by type for traffic management purposes, it is not retained as part of the usage pattern of any IP address.

So, who does this affect and what traffic is subject to traffic management?

These traffic management measures impact only those Bell Internet High Speed service customers who are using common peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing applications during scheduled traffic management periods. Customers using P2P file sharing applications may experience an increase in duration time to download and upload (for Bell Internet DSL) and upload only (for Bell Internet Portable and Rural) files during peak usage periods. These customers may consider running their P2P file sharing application longer to complete their P2P uploading or downloading activities or consider using P2P file sharing applications during the off-peak periods when there is no scheduled traffic management.

Traffic management will not impact customers using other Internet applications or services.

What are peer-to-peer (P2P) file-sharing applications?

P2P file-sharing applications provide the ability to share files on-line via an Internet connection between multiple computers that are often unknown to the user. Computers can communicate with each other even if you are not present and engaged in using the computer.

If you are using P2P file sharing, Bell recommends that you protect your computer by installing and updating Anti-Virus and Firewall software on a regular basis, as well as enabling Network Address Translation (NAT) on your home gateway/router if so equipped to ensure your computer is not being used by others without your knowledge.

The only requirements for a computer to join a peer-to-peer network is an Internet connection and P2P software. Common P2P software applications include:

• bitTorrent
• Gnutella
• Limewire
• Kazaa
• eDonkey
• eMule
• WinMX, etc.

When will this occur?

Customers may experience extended download and upload times when using P2P file sharing applications during the daily scheduled traffic management period which is currently scheduled from 4:30 pm to 2:00 am EST for Bell Internet DSL and 4:30 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. EST for Bell Internet Portable and Rural. The current upload/download rate speeds only for P2P file-sharing usage are gradually decreased at the beginning of the peak period (from full speed down to 512 kbps at 4:30 p.m. and then down to 256 kbps at 6:00 p.m.) and then gradually increased towards the end of the peak period (up from 256 kbps to 512 kbps at 1:00 a.m. and then up to full speed at 2:00 a.m.).  

Are there other applications that could be impacted by Bell’s traffic management measures?

If you're using an application/protocol during peak periods, such as encrypted FTP and find that it cannot attain full speed, please first ensure that you are using the standard port assigned for the application/protocol in question (as per the IANA: http://www.iana.org/assignments/port-numbers).

If you cannot find the application/protocol listed in the IANA’s website or you’re not currently using the assigned port listed, it is possible that the application/protocol being used may be impacted by traffic management if you are using a P2P file sharing application at the same time.

To resolve this issue, please close the affected application and ensure that all P2P file sharing applications are also not running. When you turn back on the affected application, ensure you are using the standard port assigned and that no P2P file sharing applications are open at the same time.

Note: It may take up to 10 minutes after terminating the P2P applications before you restart the affected application to ensure the application is not affected by traffic management.

If the problem continues to exist after performing the above steps, please contact us by posting your problem here (registration required).

Is Bell blocking Internet access? Is Bell monitoring customers’ online activities?

No. Bell does not block any type of Internet traffic or application, nor do we proactively monitor the content of customer communications or activities on the Internet.

Internet traffic management is based on the requirement to optimize network bandwidth resources, not on the content for which these resources are used.

Is Bell Internet DSL access shared?

No. Your Internet access is not shared with any other Bell Internet customer.

Are Bell Internet Portable and Internet Rural access shared?

Yes, unlike DSL, the wireless Internet technology deployed by Bell and Rogers is a shared Internet access service. Like most wireless systems, available bandwidth is shared between customers in a given radio sector, so performance could deteriorate in the case of many active customers in a single sector during periods of peak network traffic. If those customers are also using bandwidth consuming applications like P2P there is increasing less bandwidth available for real-time applications like web browsing and watching videos. The Internet Traffic Management process that Bell has deployed is in place to help ensure a more enjoyable Internet experience across our base of Bell Internet wireless customers.

Is Bell allowed to do this?

Bell has a responsibility to maximize the ability for all customers to use and enjoy their Bell Internet service and a responsibility to deliver bandwidth fairly to its customers.

In order to fulfill these responsibilities, Bell is entitled under the terms of the Service Agreement to utilize technology that maintains or enhances the performance of the Service and the integrity of its network.

Also, the Service Agreement and Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) prohibit the use of the Service in a way that impairs the operations or efficiency of the Service or creates an unusually large burden on our networks. To help ensure this does not happen during peak periods, Bell is using traffic management measures to better balance Internet traffic and deliver fair use of the network to all of our customers.

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