Request for information: ISPs and P2P throttling

[gnomishlich]

ISP: Time Warner Cable
Country: U.S.A.
When: since patch 2.28

experience 90k disconnects, much more often in duty finder content

[synguy]

ISP: Distributel
Country: Canada
When: Since June 4, 2014. Occurs predominantly during 8PM EDT. Especially within primals and coil instances.

[WandererSabaku]

ISP: XFINITY (Comcast)
Location: United States
Occurrence: When updating FFXIV
Reference#: CHAT ID: 2D4EBBFD-E20A-4D9B-96DF-D5C40927BA70

And here is a copy of the chat transcript. This issue is known to Comcast but the representative could not give me an estimate on when/if this issue will be addressed.

Problem: I have BLAST! speeds but whenever I try to update a certain game, Final Fantasy XIV, my download speed drops to 0.03MB rather than having the 50MB speed. I presume this may be throttling as I have tried all methods listed on the website.
Joy > Hello Steven_, Thank you for contacting Comcast Live Chat Support. My name is Joy. Please give me one moment to review your information.
Joy > How are you doing,Steven
Joy > ?
Steven_ > My Issue: I have BLAST! speeds but whenever I try to update a certain game, Final Fantasy XIV, my download speed drops to 0.03MB rather than having the 50MB speed. I presume this may be throttling as I have tried all methods listed on the website.
Steven_ > Hello
Steven_ > Hello!
Steven_ > Sorry I'm having some latency issues it seems.
Joy > I rely on my internet for work updates as well and having Intermittent connection is a bit frustrating. No worries, I am here to help you.
Joy > It is alright.
Joy > First, I will run a diagnosis on your line from my end. In that way , I would know what causes the issue.
Steven_ > Okay.
Joy > Since you mentioned a particular site, are you also having a problem accessing other sites like facebook or youtube?
Steven_ > No. It's only when I am trying to update the video game "Final Fantasy XIV".
Steven_ > Other users of this game have posted about it in forums -- apparently Comcast's systems might be identifying Final Fantasy XIV as a P2P program and throttling the download speed, even though it's just a video game.
Steven_ > I'm not sure if that's how it works though so I figured I'd contact you guys.
Steven_ > I have FFXIV running right now trying to update so if it is setting off any red flags -- it's the only thing running on my PC right now besides this chat.
Joy > Steven , I am checking your service from here/
Joy > I can see that the modem is online and in perfect shape.
Steven_ > Yes -- I just took it out of the box and got set up yesterday. :)
Joy > Your bootfile is perfect and it is giving you 50 mbps.
Joy > Are you downloading FFXIV wirelessly?
Steven_ > I have tried both. Currently it's wirelessly but either way it only gives me a small download speed.
Steven_ > It was 0.03MB at the start of this chat, went up to 0.09MB, then dropped to 0.05MB now.
Steven_ > Annnd it's 0.04MB now.
Joy > Are you using a splitter?
Steven_ > No.
Joy > How about power surge?
Steven_ > No. The modem is plugged into a wall by itself.
Steven_ > It's also out in the open, no obstructions that would cause interference near it.
Joy > Thank you, Steven.
Steven_ > You're welcome.
Joy > Have you contacted the administrator of this game?
Steven_ > If it's additionally helpful, the internet speed only does this when trying to update FFXIV. It's fine otherwise.
Steven_ > There has been a discussion about it on the official forums. FFXIV has acknowledged it is not an issue on their end.
Steven_ > The support representative from FFXIV had made a request thread for users to submit their information about their ISPs as certain ISPs are classifying Final Fantasy XIV as P2P software mistakenly.
Steven_ > http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxiv/t...P2P-throttling
Steven_ > That is the official thread posted by one of the staff.
Joy > I checked on it and you are correct. However, since the modem and your Internet speed has no issue that means that there is no speed issue in general. With this specific issue, Comcast and the admins needs to be able to communicate.
Steven_ > So what would the next step be? Or am I just out of luck for the time being?
Joy > For the meantime, we are gathering reports about this issue.
Joy > I suggest you wait for the update. I really apologize.
Steven_ > It's alright. Do you have any idea when this may be addressed?
Steven_ > I know it's been going on for some time.
Joy > I apologize, Steven we do not have estimated time for this.
Steven_ > (Unless it's something that Square Enix would have to fix with FFXIV and not Comcast.)
Steven_ > Ahhh okay. :) Well thank you for looking into the issue for me.
Joy > You are most welcome, Steven!
Joy > Will there be anything else that I can help you with today, Steven?
Steven_ > No, that will be all. Thank you!
Joy > I appreciate you taking the time to chat with us. I would appreciate your feedback about the service you experienced with me today. As a reminder, please take a moment to participate in the short survey that appears when you close this chat.
Joy > It was a pleasure assisting and chatting with you today! Have a great day and thank you for choosing Comcast. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to give us a call at 1-877-870-4310 or visit us at www.comcast.net for technical support. We appreciate your business!
Steven_ > Will do. Thanks!

[SlipSeal]

Charter Communications
United States of America
happens randomly but will be constant for 10min. or up to 1 hour

[Vivienne_Knowledge]

- Sure - Cable and wireless
- Isle of Man
- Ever since the emergency maintenance to fix the emergency maintenance. constantly getting lag spikes between midday (12pm GMT) untill 4/5PM GMT lag spikes will almost either kick me from game (90000 error) and upon re-logging INSTANT kick me again (90000) or will disappear and then instantly kick me into ANOTHER lag spike.

Additional: I've NEVER lagged in this game until after June 12th.

[Lemage]

- Name of ISP: Telstra Bigpond
- Country of Residence: Australia, VIC.
- When does the problem occur: Constant lag, tons of spikes where I disconnect.

Originally I thought this to be my Isp, but after further investigating (Tracing, packet loss testing, line jitter, ping testing, etc.) I find the problem to be 6-7 different tunnels on the trace between me and FFXIV, namely any "asianetcom.net" hosted connections... My ports are open, forwarded, and triggered. I have tested them, I have been through months of tests. Nothing helps.

EDIT: I should also add that I've had these problems on both Us server sargatanas and JP server tonberry, although it isn't as bad on tonberry as sargatanas.

[Lemage]

Additional: I've NEVER lagged in this game until after June 12th.

I've been spiking since then... May be related?

[Malakai914]

Name of ISP: Newwave Communications
Country of Residence: US (South Texas)
When does the problem occur (always, only during specific times?): During evening hours
Reference number from your ISP, if you raised this matter with them N/A

It usually happens during peak hours. I know they were upgrading the system around here but the speeds to be okay yet I still get lag issues while in-game.

[Malakai914]

ISP: Time Warner Cable
Country: U.S.A.
When: since patch 2.28

experience 90k disconnects, much more often in duty finder content

I experience this issues as well. I thought it was my internet getting updated.

[Vaala]

ISP: CenturyLink
Country: USA
When: Often since the last patch. Happens often in the evenings on one family account, however the other account can be going smoothly.

Really bad in dungeons to almost unplayability when it happens. What throws me off is the other PS3 we have running the same game, same dungeon/party, same connection can be just fine...consistently over several days.