Broadband Genie in the UK reports that the BBC may switch from Akamai to Level 3 to deliver content from its iPlayer.

The change would cost small ISPs money. Whereas Akamai will set up a server in a small ISP, Level 3 would charge money for the delivery of content. Of course, if the small ISPs are paying, the BBC pays less.

So here you have a large, government-subsidized company (every color TV owner in the UK pays c. $270 per year for BBC service, whether they use it or not (half price if the government admits you're blind).

This government-subsidized company is offloading its costs on the smallest companies, while giving those who peer for free with Level 3 a free ride.

It looks like a decision made by telco lobbyists. It's certainly not fair to give large companies a free ride and expect only the small companies to pay for a government service.