Virgin Media to probe extent of file sharing

Posted on 27 Nov 2009 at 11:23

Virgin Media is trialling a deep-packet inspection technology in order to discover the volume of illegal file-sharing on its network.

The CView technology, which is being provided by Detica, will be installed in Virgin Media’s core network to monitor traffic for peer-to-peer packets. It will then check these against legal and illegal sources as provided by the record companies.

While the mention of deep-packet inspection will undoubtedly stir memories of BT’s secret Phorm trials, Virgin Media has stressed that it’s not interested in monitoring the surfing habits of individual users.

A Virgin Media spokesperson claimed the broadband provider will anonymise and aggregate results to produce an overall picture of the content moving across its network.

Many ISPs use DPI to work out what type of traffic volumes they’re doing on the network

“It doesn’t monitor customer connections, it doesn’t keep a log of what they’re doing,” the spokesperson told PC Pro. “Many ISPs use DPI to work out what type of traffic volumes they’re doing on the network. This is just about getting more detailed analysis about that traffic.”

In fact, the software is not capable of going any deeper than that, as Detica explains.

“CView does not, and cannot, identify individual Internet users. Raw traffic data and identification information is deleted in the closed system and cannot be accessed by a human operator,” it says, adding that the software has been designed to meet existing UK and EU privacy laws.

The Virgin spokesperson said the trial would start “shortly”, but could not give a specific date. There’s also no word on when the trial will end, with the spokesperson claiming “it will be worked out during the course of the trial.”

Virgin Media is building a music download service with Universal, and says the traffic data will help it tailor the service based on its customers habits.

“Understanding how consumer behaviour is changing will be an important requirement of Virgin Media’s upcoming music offering and, should they become law, the Government’s legislative proposals will also require measurement of the level of copyright infringement on ISPs’ networks,” says Jon James, Virgin Media’s executive director of broadband.

Author: Stuart Turton / Simon Aughton