NEWS: ISPs up in arms over extra network costs of BBC iPlayer

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Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and the BBC are locked in a row about who should pay for extra network costs incurred by the popular iPlayer service.

The ISPs say the BBC's on-demand TV service is putting strain on their networks, which need upgrading to cope.

Simon Gunter, from ISP Tiscali, says the BBC does not understand the issues involved and should contribute to the extra costs involved.

But Ashley Highfield, head of future media and technology at the BBC, says he believes the cost of the network upgrades should be carried by the ISPs.

The BBC claims one million people downloaded more than 3.5 million programmes during the first month of iPlayer's launch. According to industry regulator Ofcom, it will costs ISPs in the region of £830m to pay for the extra capacity needed to allow for services like the iPlayer.

Technorati Tags: BBC iPlayer, internet service providers, Ofcom, Tiscali

Andy Clough
Andy Clough

Andy is Global Brand Director of What Hi-Fi? and has been a technology journalist for 30 years. During that time he has covered everything from VHS and Betamax, MiniDisc and DCC to CDi, Laserdisc and 3D TV, and any number of other formats that have come and gone. He loves nothing better than a good old format war. Andy edited several hi-fi and home cinema magazines before relaunching whathifi.com in 2008 and helping turn it into the global success it is today. When not listening to music or watching TV, he spends far too much of his time reading about cars he can't afford to buy.