Traffic to P2P sites declined recently

The number of broadband users who visit P2P (peer-to-peer) sites has declined during the last one year, according to the report from PlusNet broadband provider. The research carried out by the ISP shows that its broadband customers have accessed P2P related sites at the rate of 12.2TB a day in 2008 as against 13.4TB a day last year.

Meanwhile, PlusNet has cited the growing popularity of VoD (Video on Demand) services like BBC iPlayer as the reason for this latest trend. The ISPA 2008 Award winner has also pointed out the fact that how BBC iPlayer has received overwhelming response from the broadband users for delivering excellent videos of the Olympic Games recently.

Dave Tomlinson of PlusNet reported to Tech Radar:

"It may be that services like iPlayer and 4OD are turning customers away from P2P downloads. Or it could be stories like the file-sharing letters or the proposed three strikes policy that is changing peoples’ thinking."

It should be noted that P2P social networking sites allow the users to share the files, software, music and videos thus leading to illegal file sharing of copyrighted files such as music albums at times. As a result, the BPI has recently asked the broadband providers to help the association in its efforts to prevent illegal file sharing and eventually six ISPs like Virgin Media have agreed join hands with the BPI.