Internode takes TiVo traffic out of download cap

Stephen Withers
Tuesday, 24 March 2009 09:33

Your IT - Home IT

Metered downloads are a pain for media junkies wanting to get their fix online. Internode is excluding TiVo downloads from the monthly quota.

One of the obstacles stopping TV and movie downloading from becoming a completely mainstream activity is the relatively small download quotas applied by Australian ISPs.

While some ISPs (notably Telstra) get around this by running their own content stores which are not metered for their customers, others are choosing to partner with other providers.

Examples include the way Internode offers unmetered access to the ABC's iView service, and iiNet provides subscribers with unmetered access to the iTunes Store.

This seems a far more sensible approach, as choosing ISPs and content providers should be two separate decisions.

Internode has now taken this one step further by cutting a deal with TiVo operator and Channel 7 associate company Hybrid Television Services to  deliver unmetered TiVo data.

Taking the TiVo EPG and any software updates are no big deal, but downloading the Blockbuster movie of the week without eating into the quota will make a big difference to some subscribers.

The unmetered content applies to all TiVo-owning Internode customers whether their TiVo was purchased through Internode or elsewhere.

What's especially good to see is that this isn't an exclusive deal. Other ISPs will be able to participate in the content distribution network built by Internode.

"The Internode CDN is designed to allow Internode and other ISPs to 'unmeter' the TiVo experience for their customers," said Internode officials.

No indication was given of the terms that might be applied to such participation.

Internode also announced that it provide Internet access for a forthcoming TiVo plus wireless LAN plus broadband bundle