Hilariously the UK ISPs are complaining about the added strain on their networks caused by the BBC iPlayer. Simon Gunther, from Tiscali, seems to be leading the backlash. What strikes me is that you would think that the more people are using the iPlayer, the more they are using their internet... thus the ISPs can impose more of their disgusting bandwidth "overage charges" on their customers and therefore make more money. The internet in the UK is appalling anyway. Apparently only 50% of homes have cable coverage, which has the potential to provide the highest speed broadband, whilst the rest of us have to suffer the terrible ADSL services that run on BT lines. The antique status of the BT lines is a severe hindrance to the speed and quality of the line, and the distance from the BT telephone exchange is also a factor. Therefore the solution is to live in a town or city to get good quality service and a high speed connection on ADSL. But... wait for it.... if you live in a town or city you're most likely to have cable coverage anyway! So it's the people who live in the suburbs, villages and hamlets who get appalling service.

And the ISPs want the BBC to pay for upgrades to their lines/services! They have to be kidding, right?

Tags: BBC, ISPs, iPlayer