Grandpa,

I read through the previous posts, and judging from everyone's complaints it seems as though Optimum recently began using a program that detacts p2p programs and cuts the bandwidth of those users so they can free up bandwidth to sell more subscriptions.
http://www.sandvine.com/products/p2p_element.asp
http://www.ipp2p.org/docu_en.html

OOL's user agreement states that it "reserves the right to protect the integrity of its network and resources" by port blocking and putting limits on bandwidth. However, there is nothing indicating the integrity of their network has recently been compromised by a shortage of bandwidth. If that was true, at the very least they wouldn't lie to their customers when they call tech help to complain, they'd simply say they were working on the problem. It seems as though they are deliberately blocking p2p programs for the sole purpose of selling additional subscriptions. The problem is proving it.

Other posters have mentioned a previous lawsuit about an ISP out west that was taking similar action. I did a quick search and couldn't find much. I'll try to look into that further and see what the outcome was.

In the meantime, here's a suggestion to get Limewire up & running! I came accross a program that will assign you a new IP address not owned by your ISP. If it works, your ISP will no longer be able to determine that you are using a P2P network and will not be able to block or throttle your usage.

http://www.secureix.com/index.shtml

If anyone tries it, let me know if it works!