BitTorrent Throttling, Net Neutrality Collide

LOS ANGELES — A new report on Net Neutrality has uncovered some ISPs’ systematic degradation of performance across certain popular types of network traffic.

“The Health Status of Net Neutrality —The Operators’ Impact on Internet Traffic,” was commissioned by The Internet Infrastructure Foundation to examine how Swedish fixed and mobile Internet Service Providers (ISPs) actively regulate traffic traversing their networks and finds that mobile broadband users in particular may be disappointed.

The Internet Infrastructure Foundation is an independent organization tasked with managing Sweden’s top level domain (.SE), as well as its national domain name registry. Sweden also offers some of the worlds’ fastest fixed and mobile Internet access; is home to the notorious PirateBay — and is at the forefront of anti-piracy legislation initiatives.

One of the reports key findings is that while some ISPs throttle BitTorrent transfers, others are completely blocking them.

According to Wikipedia, BitTorrent is a peer-to-peer file sharing protocol used for distributing large amounts of data over the Internet and is one of the most common protocols for transferring large files, with estimates that it accounts for up to 70 percent of all Internet traffic; consumes more bandwidth than Netflix and Hulu combined; and boasts more active users at any given moment than YouTube and Facebook combined.

The report analyzes tests conducted by The Internet Infrastructure Foundation on a dozen ISPs, comparing three common types of network traffic: standard web browsing, file-sharing and viewing videos, such as those from YouTube.

“What is evident from the measurement results is that some mobile operators systematically downgrade user traffic such as the file-sharing protocol BitTorrent,” states report test administrator, Jörgen Eriksson. “If an operator attempts to limit these protocols and the operator’s customers know that their Internet connection does not give them full access to this type of service the operator will lose customers.”

The report finds that BitTorrent throttling is a poor idea, as many Open Source and other applications depend upon the popular peer-to-peer (P2P) protocol, such as Skype.

The report also notes a lack of transparency when it comes to public information on if and what services an ISP is restricting.

“The most interesting conclusion is that it is very difficult, if at all possible, to find information among operators about what they block or prioritize,” says Eriksson, adding, “We know that mobile market players see it as an advantage to NOT be compared with others. There is thus a risk that even if the technical information is presented, it will be useless for those who do not have a deep understanding of how the Internet is built.”

Report results obfuscated the identities of the tested ISPs, allowing them to revisit their policies before a more comprehensive report is issued.

“If peer-to-peer protocols are blocked the trend will go toward developing protocols according to the traditional server-client model, or data will be hidden in other traffic where it is difficult to discern,” the report concludes. “It will probably not be as effective and lead to an increase in traffic — rather than the decrease as ISPs seek when they block peer-to-peer protocols.”

The upcoming XBIZ LA Digital Media Conference will feature a presentation by website traffic expert Brad Gosse on unique methods by which adult content marketers may leverage BitTorrent for promotional purposes.

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Industry Attorney Paul Cambria Retires After 50 Years of Practicing Law

After more than a half-century in practice, during which he provided the defense in some of the adult industry's most notable legal cases, attorney Paul Cambria has retired.

2026 XMA Nominations Party Set for Nov. 19 in Hollywood

The 2026 XMA nominations reveal party will take place at Keys on the Sunset Strip on Wednesday, Nov. 19, with red-carpet arrivals starting at 8 p.m.

New VR Membership Site 'DeepInSex.com' Launches

The new 8K VR membership site DeepInSex has officially launched.

NATS Launches Integrated Content Management System

Too Much Media (TMM) has rolled out an integrated, no-charge Content Management System (CMS) to its NATS platform.

AEBN Reveals Avery Lust as Top Trans Star for Q3 of 2025

AEBN has published its top trans stars list for the third quarter of 2025, with Avery Lust landing atop the leaderboard.

FSC: California's Device-Based AV Law Does Not Apply to Adult

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) put out an advisory today explaining that California's new device-based age verification law does not apply to adult websites.

Reena Sky Launches New Paysite

Reena Sky has launched her new official paysite, ILoveReenaSky.com.

NextGen Payment Joins ASACP as Corporate Sponsor

NextGen Payment has signed on as the latest corporate sponsor for the Association of Sites Advocating Child Protection (ASACP).

Lauren Phillips, Derek Kage Cap AEBN's Top Stars for 3rd Quarter of 2025

AEBN has revealed its most popular performers in straight and gay theaters for the third quarter of 2025.

XBIZ 2026 Conference to Debut All-New Company Lounges, Community Track

The event website for XBIZ 2026 is now live, unveiling details for North America’s largest adult industry conference, including two all-new show features: Company Lounges and a Community Track.

Show More