Advertisement

It's these people who can cripple the otherwise useful throughputs provided by *reasonable* contention ratios -- but Telecom tells us that it has the answer...

Instead of worrying about contention ratios (which some allege are in almost three times the international average on Telecom's DSL network), they're going to simply give the bandwidth hogs priority over more sensible and rationed users.

This, they say, will solve the problem -- hence the title of today's column: Yeah Right!

Now have your say Got something to say about today's column, or want to see what others think?  Visit The Forums While you're here, why not visit the Aardvark Hall of Shame and perhaps make your own nomination. 7

This means that when we come to sit down in the evening and check our email or do a little web-surfing, we're going to be allocated less bandwidth than those who have been sucking down bits all day -- how fair or sensible is that?

Telecom calls this a "more refined" system.

Maybe they're working on the basis that by giving them maximum bandwidth, those data-hogs will quickly hit their cap and be throttled back (thus posing a threat to nobody) or start paying for over-cap use (money in the bank for Telecom).

Or could the real reason be even more devious?

Is this just another way that Telecom can fend off the threat that VOIP services represent to its lucrative toll revenues?

Let's face it, if you use your PC as a VOIP telephone through such services as Skype or Teleo, it's going to sit idle for the vast majority of the time. Indeed, if you're simply looking to save money on tolls, a $29/month DSL connection and Skype subscription will pay for itself pretty damned quickly.

What better way to scuttle the viability of VOIP (and the threat it poses) therefore than to apportion bandwidth (and therefore latency) on the basis of demand?

Those folks whose DSL connection sits idle except for the occasional incoming or outgoing call will find they have bugger-all bandwidth available and this heavy throttling will make their VOIP completely useless.

And let's not forget that this is also a cunning way for Telecom to ignore those claims of excessive contention ratios by claiming that they simply aren't relevant any more.

Let me repeat myself: Yeah, right!

Beating the system
Well I think I've found a way to beat the LTSA and their stupid rules that discourage the use of fuel-efficient or alternatively fueled vehicles.

On the weekend, I will start construction of a rather cunning vehicle that will allow me to travel to and from work on public roads, powered by an engine but without the need to register that vehicle or gain a WOF.

Looking at the registration page on the LTSA website you might think this impossible -- but never underestimate the cunning of someone who sees bureaucratic stupidity standing in the way of commonsense.

This will be a two-wheeled vehicle based on a bicycle -- but, despite the fact that the motive force will be a petrol-powered engine, this "motorcycle" will not require to be registered, even though the LTSA try to levy a $285 licensing fee on such machines.

Does anyone have an old bicycle they can contribute to this cause? I will be able to return it in its original condition and if it's useful I'll plonk some sponsorship on the project's webpage and on the bike itself -- it may well feature on TV in coming weeks :-)

Oh yeah, please visit the advertiser you see at the top of this column -- let them know that Aardvark's a good place to be -- even when it's free :-)

Free Advertising!
Yes, while I sort out the issue of sponsorship, I'm offering loyal Aardvark readers the chance to have their venture advertised for free on these pages.

If you send me your 150x150 banner (no more than 20KB) and a URL to point at, I'll put it in a rotation to appear in the area currently allocated to sponsorship.

Because of my government-imposed state of impoverishment, I won't be charging for this exposure and there's no obligation to anyone -- but neither are their any promises ;-)

Drop me a line if you'd like to take advantage of this.

Did you notice
As eagle-eyed readers will have noticed, sponsorship of this fine blog/column is up for grabs.

Those who have already made enquiries about sponsoring Aardvark should hear back from me this week - and anyone else who might like to do so should drop me a line ASAP.

Tell us all and see what others have to say in The Aardvark Forums

If you feel that this is a good thing and/or you hold a "geniune affection" for yours truly -- then you are welcome to gift me some money using the buttons provided. In gifting this money you accept that no goods, service or other consideration is offered, provided, accepted or anticipated in return. Just click on the button to gift whatever you can afford. NOTE: PayPal bills in US dollars so don't accidentally gift more than what you were intending :-)

Contacting Aardvark
I'm always happy to hear from readers, whether they're delivering brickbats, bouquets or news tip-offs. If you'd like to contact me directly, please this form. If you're happy for me to republish your comments then please be sure and select For Publication.

Other media organisations seeking more information or republication rights are also invited to contact me.

Just add a couple of lines of JavaScript to your pages and you can get a free summary of Aardvark's daily commentary -- automatically updated each and every week-day.

Aardvark also makes a summary of this daily column available via XML using the RSS format. More details can be found here.

Contact me if you decide to use either of these feeds and have any problems.

Linking Policy
Want to link to this site? Check out Aardvark's Linking Policy.

Did you tell someone else about Aardvark today? If not then do it now!