[Stuart]

Originally Posted by basa

May I ask a question?

I am not too well up on networking, especially on the national scale, but it is my understanding that ALL internet traffic in the UK at some point uses BT owned backbone cables and by inference must also pass through BT owned switchgear or servers (even VM).

Is it not therefore conceivable that the Phorm/BT system could be made to intercept traffic from/to ALL and ANY ISP (not just BT/VM/Talk Talk)?

No, it does not. Cable uses Virgin's own network and switches. Non LLU (Local Loop Unbundled) ADSL ISPs use BT's network, so may be subject to Phorm. VM ADSL uses BT's network.

LLU ISPs (such as Be, Sky, bulldog etc) use their own switch gear and their own network, only using BT for the line from the exchange (they have their own switch gear in the exchange) to the customer.