Internet Interconnections
Proposals For New Interconnection Model
Comes Up Short
Introduction
Recent contributions to the debate surrounding revision of the International Telecommunication
Regulations (ITRs) have identified two network interconnection issues that, it is argued, are best
addressed through new international regulation. These new international regulations would be
implemented in the revised International Telecommunication Regulations (a binding Treaty), and
implemented across legal and regulatory jurisdictions in ITU Member States (countries). These
Internet interconnection issues are:
1 Whether to deploy an end-to-end quality of service delivery mechanism with pre-defined
end-to-end performance objectives, and;
2 Whether to establish a system of settlements between network operators based on
sending-party-network-pays.
This paper assesses whether there is a need to address either of these matters, which are
currently handled through private commercial and technical agreements, in a global,
intergovernmental treaty like the ITRs. It is our assessment that placing treaty-based
interconnection obligations on infrastructure providers is not a constructive way to make progress.
Further, we conclude that the full range of impacts that these proposals might produce has not
been well documented. In our judgement, this proposed new interconnection model runs the
serious risk of fragmenting the Internet.
Executive Summary
• The Internet: a network-of-networks – The Internet is composed of thousands of
independently owned, managed and operated networks that interconnect with one another in a
sparse mesh. End-to-end (E2E) traffic flow is enabled via a series of interconnecting customer,
provider, transit and peering relationships between network operators, utilizing underlying
telecommunications infrastructure and services.
• The Internet interconnection market is diverse – The market for Internet interconnectivity
services between network operators is evolving and diverse (see BEREC). There are no
technical barriers to Internet service providers (ISPs) making whatever sustainable
interconnection arrangements they wish to make, provided they can get the other party or
parties to the connection to agree to the terms.
• Increasing costs for all ISPs – Technical mechanisms required to support a generalised
sending-party-network-pays settlement framework for the Internet in which one can measure
both traffic volume and destination are extremely complex. Multiple new additional network
components would be required to send, collect, and analyze the traffic data [ITU] and this
settlement framework will, therefore, be extremely expensive to implement.