Kent Community Network

The BBC iPlayer service provides BBC programming on demand for 7 days on the BBC website. A download option is available which allows users to download content which will be available for 30 days via an application installed on the client PC.

The BBC iPlayer application utilises Peer to Peer Technology provided by Kontiki. Peer to peer technology (P2P) creates virtual “grids” which connect user’s machines together. Once a user on this “grid” has downloaded a file, any other user on the grid can access it.

The changes required to enable iPlayer download functionality on the KCN would also allow other peer to peer file sharing applications to run within the KCN.
Although the KCN recognises the additional educational benefits of being able to download content for 30 days opposed to 7, we also recognise the possibility of P2P services being misused. Internet safety is paramount within the KCN and therefore the download function of BBC Iplayer will not be accessible or supported.

To summarise

• iPlayer uses P2P technology that could be misused
• Player content CAN be accessed on demand from the BBC website for 7 days after the program is aired – this is supported
• The download function of iPlayer will NOT function inside the KCN - this is not supported

We would be interested in your comments on this new policy, which we will review from time to time

Please accept our apologies if this causes any inconvenience, however the safety of young people in Kent and the security of the KCN must come first.

Regards

Marc Turner
Kent Community Network