NEW YORK -- Large files can be moved over the Internet more quickly and efficiently using a new peer-to-peer (P2P) file transfer system, recent tests over the Verizon network show. The new P2P protocol guides the selection of file sources and network pathways rather than letting the selection happen randomly, or using criteria that don't maximize efficiency.

P2P file transfers using distribution software that links content owners to authorized users is increasing, with companies like TV networks, movie distributors and software firms taking advantage of P2P as a low-cost distribution option.

When deployed, the new system will move material authorized by the content owners -- such as movies, TV programs, software or large data bases -- faster for consumers and more efficiently for network operators. The new system and tests were described in a presentation Friday (March 14) in New York by Douglas Pasko, Verizon senior technologist and co-chair of the P4P Working Group, and co-chair Laird Popkin of Pando Networks. The group is sponsored the Distributed Computing Industry Association (DCIA). Yale University software experts worked on and monitored the project. Companies like Pando Networks and others provide content-sharing companies and customers with secure programs for their exchanges.

The new system addresses a growing challenge to Internet service providers (ISPs) and network carriers as P2P networking becomes more and more common. Because many files transferred today using P2P are so massive, P2P sharing can account for well beyond half of total Internet traffic, according to industry estimates.

No longer the dark-alley distribution system for unauthorized file sharing, advanced P2P delivery networks link content-seekers with licensed files they want and that are stored by other subscribed users rather than on servers maintained by content owners or ISPs. P2P is being mainstreamed by distributors like NBC Universal, which is beginning to distribute its NBC Direct programming by leveraging P2P technology and software provided by Pando Networks, rather than the traditional client-server approach.

"The results of the testing have been phenomenal," said Pasko. "Customer and network benefits were seen as soon as the test began. This new system, which routes files along the fastest, least expensive path, offers our FiOS customers P2P downloads up to six times faster than networks without the overlay, the study showed. On average, download speeds using other Internet access technologies improve by about 60 percent."

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE: VZ)