I suppose one could maximize bandwidth through optimization of TCP by tweaking buffer and RWIN values, however that is not relevant to the issue, lest one is pretty hardcore about this stuff.

Bittorrent is great for the purpose of distributing a large file to several people because it facilitates simultaneous upload/download through an individual ring-model effectively eliminating queues (In the ideal condition). There is a whole lot more to this, but it is based on the principle of giving packets to peers who require the specifics, and requesting the packets that you lack; When there are several users, the synergy-effect may exponentially improve. It does require a bit of a know-how on networking to fully maximize the advantages of torrent, but most do learn by pure curiosity after using the system for a while; It's not hard, you download a file which contains a checksum and the address to a tracker, and if your firewall/router/NAT doesn't complain it's smooth-sailing from there. When you finish downloading you automatically become a seeder fully uploading the file packet per packet to the remaining peers. It's not hard, just a different way of downloading things.