[1708] in Commercialization & Privatization of the Internet
ANS Connectivity Agreement
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Allan H. Weis)
Fri Dec 13 00:28:50 1991
Date: Thu, 12 Dec 91 17:11:48 EST
From: Allan H. Weis <weis@ans.net>
To: members@farnet.org, co+re@ans.net, com-priv@uu.psi.com,
Our recent note to the com-priv mailing list has caused misunderstanding
about ANS connectivity agreements. I apologize for creating this confusion.
While the following explanation doesn't address all of the concerns that
have been expressed, I hope it clarifies some of the major issues in
question.
An ANS connectivity agreement simply states that an attached network agrees
to accept traffic from ANS CO+RE customers. An attached network has no
need to sign an agreement if it does not wish to accept commercial traffic
from ANS CO+RE customers. The connectivity agreements do not prohibit
attached networks from connecting directly to commercial information services
or to other commercial network providers. The connectivity agreements do not
apply to traffic from research and education institutions.
Networks that sign ANS connectivity agreements pay nothing, and, because
they agree to let commercial traffic travel across their gateways and through
their networks, they are eligible to receive grants from the National
Infrastructure Pool.
There has been discussion that the connectivity agreement gives ANS an unfair
competitive advantage. In fact, the agreement ensures that attached networks
have the final choice in controlling access to their networks.
Our industry is young, and we are all still struggling to determine the best
way to ensure fair settlements and quality service to the networking community.
These are complicated issues. The CIX Association and ANS are actively
engaged in discussions concerning interconnectivity, relationships,
and negotiations are progressing well.
The connectivity agreements and other documents related to the ANS plan for
commercialization were discussed and distributed at the FARNET meeting in
Montana last fall and have been available for some time via anonymous FTP from
ftp.ans.net in the pub/info directory.
We will keep the community informed of any ANS-related news. Meanwhile,
if you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.
Sincerely,
Al
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| Allan H. Weis | Advanced Network & Services, Inc.|
| President & CEO | 100 Clearbrook Road |
| weis@ans.net | Elmsford, New York 10523 |
| (914) 789-5302 | FAX (914) 789-5310 |
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