[11991] in Commercialization & Privatization of the Internet
Invitation to participate in AADSnet
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Mark Knopper)
Fri Apr 29 00:09:30 1994
From: Mark Knopper <mak@aads.net>
To: com-priv@psi.com
Date: Thu, 28 Apr 1994 21:10:52 -0400 (EDT)
Reply-To: mak@aads.net
Open Invitation to Internet Network Service Providers
from Ameritech Advanced Data Services
Mark Knopper
April 28, 1994
Ameritech Advanced Data Services (a subsidiary of Ameritech Corp.)
is implementing Internet access network services within multiple
local access and transport areas (LATAs). These services are
collectively known as "AADSnet". We invite organizations to connect
their networks to AADSnet in one or more LATAs in order to provide
connectivity to inter-LATA transmission of Internet Protocol (IP)
datagrams to serve AADSnet customers.
AADSnet Service Description
AADS intends to provide widespread access to the Internet for many
users by offering multiple access types.
AADSnet offers Internet Protocol (IP) routing service over multiple
access types. Dedicated access types include private line DS0 through
DS3, SMDS DS0 through DS3, Frame Relay DS0 or DS1 permanent
virtual circuits, or ATM DS3 or OC3c. Dialup and switched access are
provided via V.32bis modem and ISDN, using the point-to-point
protocol (PPP).
Customers connecting to AADSnet over dedicated access will be able
to connect an office or enterprise network to the Internet. AADS will
provide a complete customer service function, with services
including network number assignment, assistance with application
servers, and customer training.
Dialup and ISDN access will be provided in each AADS-served LATA,
allowing authenticated access to AADSnet. Initially, client-server
access at the IP level will be provided. Over time, the service will be
extended to provide "dumb" terminal interactive telnet, higher level
shell and e-mail accounts, and other services.
Carrier Selection and Equal Access
It is the intent of AADS to provide open and non-discriminatory
access to the global Internet for its customers. Within a LATA, AADS
will provide complete interconnection. Packets will be transported by
AADS at the IP-level between customer networks using any access
method. However, AADSnet will not transport packets across LATA
boundaries (i.e. AADSnet is an INTRA-LATA service only).
In order to provide a complete service for customers, IP providers
are invited to establish, at their own initiative and cost, access to
AADSnet within LATAs. Participating IP providers making
themselves known to AADS will be listed in informational materials
provided to AADSnet customers establishing access within the LATA;
and customers will be asked to make a choice of a Primary and a
Secondary inter-LATA IP provider. AADSnet will provide an IP route
mapping entry which directs traffic between customers and their
inter-LATA provider of choice. The secondary choice will become
active in the event of a network failure in either the AADSnet or the
inter-LATA provider's network service. Participating providers will
be able to furnish contact information and a service description to
AADS, which can be passed along to AADSnet customers, in order to
allow an informed choice of providers serving the LATA.
It is expected that, in addition to the service fees that AADSnet
customers will be charged for the Internet service within-LATA, the
inter-LATA providers will also desire to charge a fee to the AADSnet
customers who choose their services. AADS will facilitate this
arrangement in several ways: (1) by providing an optional
passthrough billing service; (2) by assisting a customer to establish a
relationship with a provider if the customer so requests, and (3) by
publications such as this one, which invite open participation by
multiple carriers.
Carrier Access, Price and Billing
AADSnet customers may connect to the network using a variety of
access methods at a variety of data rates. Inter-LATA IP providers
are invited to connect using the same set of access methods, but with
the expectation that a single access trunk will allow a provider to
transport the traffic of a number of AADSnet customers. Therefore, it
will be desirable for a participating provider to work with AADS to
arrive at an expectation about the number of customers and their
expected traffic load. A possible strategy, for example, would be to
establish an SMDS DS3 access into a metropolitan area LATA to
transport traffic of many customers connecting at DS1 rates. Another
strategy would be to use a DS1 to carry multiple DS0 or 14.4Kbps
dialup users' traffic out of the LATA.
A portion of the AADSnet service fee to customers is to cover
overhead incurred by AADS in providing network infrastructure
needed to connect to multiple carriers. Similarly, the carrier is
expected to pay an access and service fee to cover network circuits,
switching costs, and router port costs for its access to AADSnet.
AADS will provide an optional passthrough billing service which will
allow the inter-LATA IP provider's charges to be passed to the
customer in the same billing envelope as the intra-LATA AADSnet
charges. Alternatively, the provider may bill the AADS customer
directly. In the latter case, AADS will provide billing contact and
addressing information to the provider.
Contact
Any IP providers wishing to participate in the AADSnet project
should contact Mark Knopper at 313-913-0800 (fax 313-741-0129,
email mak@aads.net).
