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1. Comment - ISP Dispute Over - For Now

   (Oct 8, 2005 - 1:59 AM)

   of course it's controlled by commercial entities - the 'net ain't free, folks. even the fed govt (who had private industry build the first internet) uses different IP backbones now for secure traffic etc.
   
   for those who concentrated on lib arts in school :-) here's a specific explanation of the business concept. Level 3 invested in their IP network, and attracted a lot of customers who had end users (like you and me), plus a good amount of web site destinations (content like Yahoo or CNN). they probably started out buying a lot of connections to other big IP networks, because they couldn't make the case for peering since they didn't have enough balanced traffic. as they grew, Level 3 asked the other big IP network owners to peer with them, because they had achieved a good volume of both end users and content on their network.
   
   now sometimes these other companies have to do this in good faith, because the new guy (in this case Level 3) was still building its customer base and the resulting traffic volumes. eventually Level 3 got big enough to merit the peering connections, and of course now it's one of the highest-traffic IP networks on the planet.
   
   this is likely what happened with Cogent. Cogent comes to Level 3 with a solid network plan, history of traffic, sales forecasts, etc., and asks for a peering connection vs buying a 'port' (regular customer connection) into Level 3's network. it's essentially cheaper, but the real benefit is better performance between the networks and the clout that peering with Tier 1 providers brings. it's a self-fulfilling prophecy - you peer with enough Tier 1s, and you become a Tier 1.
   
   so, maybe Level 3 did this awhile back with Cogent, and began watching the traffic flow. after a period of time, apparently they decided that Cogent in fact was not growing their traffic as forecasted. so, they finally asked Cogent to go back to 'customer' status (by buying connectivity to Level 3) since the traffic pattern didn't merit a peering relationship. Cogent plays hardball, thinking they will give Level 3 a dose of bad PR for not playing nice with the Internet, and Level 3 will blink.
   
   but they didn't.
   
   so Cogent of course hollers, to everyone who will listen, that Level 3 is desparate, they are controlling the internet, blah blah blah. even some supposed industry analysts jump on the bandwagon. regular media types smell a good story and (once again) spin this as a big company throwing its weight around and harming our precious internet. like it's an entitlement - puhleeze.
   
   Cogent even offers free service to Level 3 customers for switching. amusing, since Level 3 probably owns 15x more internet routes and 100x more end customers than does Cogent.
   
   so Level 3 is now giving Cogent an additional 30 days to make up its mind (on top of the 2-3 months they already had).
   
   free advice to Cogent: buy the doggone port, but word the contract to convert it to peering based on hitting traffic milestones. also make it NDA so Level 3 can't say what connection you ended up with, to preserve a shred of your dignity. and your pricing strategy - most rational consumers eventually figure out that super-cheap means inferior quality, whether it's clothes from Old Navy or 'net connections.
   
   free advice to Level 3: be proactive with your own customers when these situations occur with your fellow network owners. there's a fair amount of rumbling out there about end customers who bought business voip service from your service provider customers and pipe from Cogent whose phone service went dark yesterday. with your stock price stuck at 2 bucks until you prove you won the voip game, this doesn't help the whole 'crossing the chasm' thing.
   
   free advice for those concerned about the fragility of 'your' internet: it ain't yours, you're just buying access to someone's network. it is NOT an entitlement. until you need it for cardiopulmonary function, consider it a fee-for-use, commercial good, and plan your life accordingly. if your livelihood depends on your 'net connection, maybe you should invest in a diverse backup connection?? and if you REALLY want it fubar'd, go ahead and get the UN involved in running/monitoring it. :-)
   
   peace be with you all.