Nightly latency issues

[worldofneil]

Let's start by pointing out that I work as a System Admin for a nation wide technology firm.

That's nice, but...

Only SE can fix this now by opening a dialog with Comcast, the same way I would open a ticket with Verizon if one of my VPN circuits were not routing corporate traffic correctly.

You clearly understand where the packet loss is, so why are you trying to get one company to fix the problem of the other? As much as Comcast need to change their routing, do you really expect them to just because Square Enix ask? I know I sure as heck wouldn't...

If SE had services/agreements with Comcast then maybe they would have some clout, but we have no evidence they do (and based on their current servers in Canada, it seems likely they have nothing at all to do with Comcast). So the only way SE could possibly influence Comcast is by giving them money (possibly a lot and probably ongoing). Even if they were to do this, where is this money coming from? Player subscriptions?

Should SE have to pay money to Comcast to change their routing for a small percentage of unfortunate players or use that same money for development/hardware that could benefit all players?

What happens if another ISP has a similar routing "issue"? Should SE spend more money there to pay them too?

I do feel bad for the players who have problems and I know I take my own connection for granted (from another country no less!), but we have to blame the right people here and be reasonable with what SE can actually achieve.

[Iluvwrenches]

TWC and Rogers Cable, Bell Canada... these are all ISPs with the exact same issue. All you people blaming ISPs are neglecting to shed some light as to why any/every other internet service works fine except for FF and SE's servers.

If its a routing issue, why is it only one service out of hundreds that is being a true problem?

I don't think you're very reasonable, world. If SE is having this many issues, it likely may help if they consider making a deal with a different ISP.

[worldofneil]

If its a routing issue, why is it only one service out of hundreds that is being a true problem?

Because everywhere on the Internet isn't located in the same physical place.

I'm not familiar with the ISPs you quoted, but it sounds like, for whatever reason, they are also choosing to use Level 3 to route the traffic from the customer to the SE servers. It's when the traffic goes through Level 3 then it has a problem.

Just to clarify, Level 3 isn't the ISP that Square Enix use, it's just a "road" in the the route that the Internet provider is choosing to use.