Internet traffic management practices

Several years ago, in an effort to provide customers with quality service, Télébec implemented Internet traffic management practices, which enable the company to ensure that Internet users benefit from optimal service and enhance the response time of popular applications.  

Sound Internet management requires that Télébec limit the speed of peer-to-peer applications at certain times during the day. Please refer to the following Q&A for more information.

Questions & Answers  

Q 1: Which protocols are affected by Télébec’s Internet traffic management practices?  

A: The following protocols may be affected by Télébec’s Internet traffic management practices: eDonkey/eMule, Kazaa, Bittorrent, Winny, Gnutella, WinMX, Direct Connect, Manolito, Hotline, Share, Soulseek, Filetopia, Mute, NodeZilla, Waste, Warez, Neonet, BaiBao, PPStream, Thunder, POCO, SSDP, Exposee, Dijjer, Furthur, Peerenabler, Kontiki, Feidian, Entropy, Freenet, AntsP2P, QQ-Live, DHT, Rodi and Kugoo.

These protocols are referred to as “affected protocols”.  

Q 2: Which applications are not affected by the Internet traffic management practices?

A: Not all applications are affected by the Internet traffic management practices. The affected protocols are essentially those that are peer-to-peer. Browsers, e-mail service, VoIP, file downloads that do not rely on the affected protocols, video streaming and other such applications are not managed and their speed is not affected. The management practices aim to make other applications and time-sensitive transmission (e.g. mailing) quicker.  

Q 3: Do the Internet traffic management practices block access to the affected protocols?  

A: No, the Internet traffic management practices slow the flow of information to the affected protocols whenever necessary so that other applications can function optimally.

Q 4: Do the Internet traffic management practices block certain content?

A: No, the Internet traffic management practices do not block any content. They only impact the speed of the affected protocols.
 
Q 5: Do the Internet traffic management practices alter the way information is transmitted?  

A: No, the Internet traffic management practices do not alter the content of the information.

Q 6: At what times will Télébec put the Internet traffic management practices into effect?

A: The Internet traffic management practices may come into effect at any time of day. However, it is mainly during peak hours that the affected protocols will be managed. Peak hours are from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. in a 24-hour cycle, seven days a week.

Q 7: Will the Internet traffic management practices be applied to clients on an individual basis?

A: No, the Internet traffic management practices will not be applied on an individual basis. Rather, the general traffic towards the providers that link the Télébec network to the rest of the world will be managed. The impacts of the traffic management measures will therefore depend on the total traffic generated by the affected protocols and not single users.

Q 8: Will the speed of the high-speed Internet access package that I chose be impacted by Télébec’s Internet traffic management practices?

A: No, the high-speed Internet access options offered by Télébec will not be affected by Internet traffic management practices. The network speed will remain the same at all times for the applications that are not affected by the management practices.  

It is important to remember that the access speeds stated in the Internet offers are maximum rates. Given the nature of the network and packages offered to clients, Télébec cannot guarantee that maximum speeds will be reached. Though access speed depends on customer and network installations, Télébec aims to ensure maximum rates for all Internet subscribers. 

Q 9: Will the Internet traffic management practices affect all Télébec customers?  

A: Yes, the Internet traffic management practices apply to all Télébec customers across the territory.  

Q 10: How will these Internet management practices affect customers?

A: Because most applications (e.g. Web browsing, e-mail, VoIP and others) are not impacted by traffic management practices, customers will not notice any changes. However, customers who use the affected protocols may detect slower file transfer rates. These traffic management practices aim to ensure that the majority of the applications that are used by high-speed Internet customers on a regular basis benefit from the best possible service.  

Q 11: Will Télébec’s Internet traffic management practices also apply to customers who access high-speed Internet using cellular technology?