projects in development before they get released. Turns out that
a consortium of internet backbone providers (Sprint, UUNET,
MCIWorldcom and a few others) have asked for an IOS
enhancement to audit multiplayer gaming traffic. (IOS is
the operating system for all of the Cisco routers and most
of the switches). The intent is to attach a surcharge based
on bandwidth consumption, to be charged against the service
providers (SBC, Time Warner, etc), who will pass it through
to the customers (us). Early estimates are about $4 per game
use. I think they want the cost to be equivalent to renting a movie.
But the charge will vary because the more hops you are from the
game server, the more you will be charged. But what really sucks is
that low ping players will have to pay more since they use more
bandwidth. Just about every router on the internet will have this
feature by midyear, so they will probably announce the new
charges in a few months.
Oh, and one more thing.....
APRIL FOOL!
