Here's an example of how a p2p bandwidth shaper can work against Gnutella: Bandwidth Shaper Sample - typical of how some ISP's use it (click on link) ie: giving priority to net surfing & low priorities to p2p sharing. However there are different types of filtering & filter programs that are used. One of them being Sandvine. Amongst the techniques sometimes used is port blocking of those using p2p sharing programs. Perhaps initially a detector after which a filter of some sort is applied to that particular user.
A more up-to-date list of ISP's known to shape or block p2p sharing bandwidth can be found here http://wiki.vuze.com/w/Bad_ISPs


1. The 1st 5 I can add here are Insight. Insight seems to specifically target Limewire. One person found a solution (if only temporary), if you view the sticky in this section (Important!!! A Fix for those whose ISP's block Limewire - pages 1-3 have more proxy options.) See example here. AND More Proxy instructional help with specific details, links & sample


2. Tiscali is known in some locations in Europe (such as Italy) to filter/shape p2p sharing bandwidth (ie: slow down speeds.) There's been reports on the forum & various articles online. One reference is here in 2nd last article at bottom of linked page: Jurisprudence | EDRI (hopefully I can find some of the original articles I read last year in 2004.) More recently: Tiscali blocking Limewire. _And ISP Problems... Namely "Tiscali" - Tech Support Forum. __The Tiscali company has focused its presence in 5 European markets: Italy, UK, Germany, The Netherlands and Czech Republic. It has bought control over many other ISP's in those markets and applies similar p2p blocking or shaping techniques in all. Tiscali owns an IP and VoIP network of 15,000 kms, covering all European countries, the US included. UK, Click the Fair Usage Policy link on left of page on this link: Fair usage policy. The companies Tiscali bought in UK generally retain their original business name but now use Tiscali's policies on blocking p2p sharing (try to investigate who is the parent company of your ISP. Tiscali now controls very large areas of the UK !) Things to try: http://www.gnutellaforums.com/downlo...k-tiscali.html


3. Rogers of Canada has been confirmed to be shaping bandwidth. See Rogers cable filtering


4. Optimum Online (particularly of Long Island) are totally blocking all p2p sharing!!!. See Error Message: machine doesn't appear to have active connection/ firewall blocking LW - Gnutella Forums for just one of many, many examples!!! It seems they are blocking ports. Go to LW's menu bar, Tools>Options>Advanced>Firewalls & change the listening port to one between 49152 - 65535. Press Apply. Then restart LW. Ports 64049 or 50012 seem good for this isp.


5. TalkTalk UK is known to shape bandwidth (confirmation email from Talktalk shown here.) See posting & findings HERE (click on link) It seems TalkTalk may be a subsidiary of Tiscali who are known to shape bandwidth or refuse p2p connections. TalkTalk apparently don't shape the bandwidth during certain hours, see THIS for details!


6. Cox is known to filter p2p. Apparently they don't apply it to all people within any area, but more-so individuals. See: Problem with Cox Communications? ______ Hidden selective p2p upload blocking!. Sneaky monopolistic tactics Cox Cable bought the local CableAmerica.

New reports on Cox & petition: Cox Internet - Blocking Ports Petition (<- please sign this petition.) Broadband reports & also eMule forums (Thanks to KathW for the these latter Cox links)


7. CIS (Clark Information Systems) a 3rd party ISP blocks ports to disrupt or stop p2p programs. "I called my ISP, and they said they have certain ports blocked so that people cannot use file sharing programs for bandwidth purposes." - sent via message to me.


8. (a) * Official report on UK isp's that throttle speeds: ISP's that cap heavy bandwidth users & p2p (click on link)
__ (b) * Worldwide listings of ISP's who shape p2p sharing bandwidth: (i) Bad ISPs - AzureusWiki _ (ii) List of Internet Service Providers That Throttle P2P Traffic


9. Clearwire (click link for details) blocking ports & p2p programs. 10. PIPEX (click link for details) P2P traffic shaping. / Homecall (Both PIPEX & Homecall are owned by Tiscali. See Tiscali links above for details of what to do.)
11. MicroLnk (click link for details) blocking ports. 12. Virgin (click link for details) P2P traffic shaping. 13. Hellas On Line (HOL) (click link for details - Greek site) - traffic shaping. Other Reports: emule forum. Shaping. OTE has also been criticized for artificially limiting the number of packets passing per second through an ADSL line. 14. Charter appears to be severely shaping certain users who probably fail in their fair use policy of bandwidth use. No official report except many reports on this forum of same problems; Problems uploading & downlding & this one Slow speeds & especially point 13 of their user policy. 15. Speednet in Michigan throttles limewire during the day.

16. Shaw cable services. There's been evidence both in this forum as well as other p2p forums of capping speeds for p2p use, eg: Even caps on other p2p programs. One day you get 100-150 KB/s & the next about 3 - 5 KB/s. Example 2: Slow everywhere, Example 3: Lots of people using p2p, Examples 4 & 5 which were ideal, removed due to those sites being sold.

17. Plusnet blocking ports. May happen all of a sudden & the port test for 6346 showed "The page cannot be displayed" and "Cannot find server". After trying a port in the 49XX range people can once again connect. Example here. OSX example Where is the Firewall?

18. CARPHONE WAREHOUSE BROADBAND SERVICES (used for AOL services in parts of UK), are 'Shaping' p2p bandwidth. Posts in reference to this: http://www.gnutellaforums.com/connec...downloads.html _ and _ Problem (full connection but no search results)



Either others or myself will add others to this list as they come to hand. I'm aware of at least a couple of others but will need to investigate. Likewise anybody who is CERTAIN their ISP provider is blocking their service or filtering please add your isp here. (Please supply evidence 'if' available. Verification helps.)