Comcast and BitTorrent have announced they’re cozying up…
Comcast Corporation and BitTorrent, Inc. announced today that they will undertake a collaborative effort with one another and with the broader Internet and ISP community to more effectively address issues associated with rich media content and network capacity management. While BitTorrent and Comcast are talking directly, they are also in discussions with other parties to help facilitate a broader dialogue and cooperation across industries. Both BitTorrent and Comcast expressed the view that these technical issues can be worked out through private business discussions without the need for government intervention.
In the release, Comcast also mentions they’ll move to a “protocol agnostic” network management system by the end of the year, though I didn’t see anything regarding “source” or “destination” agnostic. So, it’s yet to be seen if this is really net neutral and how the FCC will respond. Regardless, it’s significant and appreciated that Comcast made the progressive choice to initiate an open dialog.
In other Comcast news, today is supposedly the day I’ll receive Internet and cable television service… However, I’m not feeling hopeful. The technician has already called and said he may or may not arrive within the three hour window (which is OK since I’m working from home and fully expected that call). However, he only has one CableCARD with him and will “try” to swing by the office for more. I specifically typed my requirements for 3 CableCARDs into the service request form. Apparently someone along the way translated/edited that install note into one CableCARD. Wish me some Comcastic luck…