Peer-to-Peer Services: Changing the Way We Use the Web

When you compare leased lines online, you’ll probably find that many providers advertise the fact that their leased lines offer a symmetrical connection; upload and download speeds that not only match each other, but also remain constant at all times throughout the day. A symmetrical connection is one of the biggest differences between leased lines and a standard ADSL connection, but why is it needed?

Back in the 1990s, when businesses were just beginning to install broadband connections in their offices, things were very much asymmetrical. There was little need for businesses to upload, and the majority of traffic was coming in a downstream direction. In fact, reports claim that, at this time, the volume of downstream traffic was around 10 times greater than the volume of upstream traffic. What changed?

The introduction of peer-to-peer services has undoubtedly been one of the biggest changes, influencing the way we use the internet for business purposes. Increased digital communications by businesses has transformed us from a high downstream traffic society into a nation that requires more equality. Of course, download still reigns supreme, but the need for the symmetrical connections offered by leased lines has been growing rapidly within the past few years. Here’s just some of the reasons why:

Healthcare Services

Reports show that almost 5 million patients are remotely monitored around the world today, with the remote monitoring industry growing by 51 percent in 2015. Cardiac rhythm management (CRM) devices, and sleep therapy devices, are two of the most utilised remote management techniques, requiring regular data uploads and transfer to ensure the continued health and safety of the individual patient.

E-Learning Services

Digital learning, which provides flexibility for more people – such as parents and those with work commitments – to gain a valuable education, has come a long way since the launch of the Open University. The global market for e-learning is believed to have grown from 32.1 billion USD to almost 50 billion last year alone, highlighting the need for a symmetrical service to facilitate data uploads.

Video Conferencing Services

The video conferencing market is expected to grow by 9 percent between 2015 and 2019 as more and more businesses realise the increasing need for real time communications. With a rise in flexible working especially, there is a definite need for today’s technology to facilitate collaboration between multiple sites. This is a prime example of how peer-to-peer services has lead to a need for symmetry.