[563] in Commercialization & Privatization of the Internet
Re: Who can connect to CIXes...
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (William Schrader)
Sun Apr 7 23:27:55 1991
Date: Sun, 7 Apr 91 23:49:44 -0400
From: wls@psi.com (William Schrader)
To: MRR@boers.uu.no, com-priv@psi.com
Cc: mrr@boers.uu.no, wls@psi.com
As a member of the CIX, we see it as an important step to
achieve stability in 1991 as the US portion of the Internet
begins to be provided, more and more, by commercial entities.
This process has begun in the US and may be easily
replicated in other countries.
Without speaking for the other CIX founders, PSI feels that
the CIX addresses additional changes anticipated in US Internet
in 1992 after the status quo is eliminated by the NSF. The
questions raised on this list and elsewhere regarding potential
direct connection of the Regional Networks to the CIX are
legitimate, and will be addressed privately by the CIX
members. The need to connect "unrestricted" networks drove
the creation of the CIX. "Patience is a virtue" at this moment.
Your questions regarding the CIX members being considered commmon
carriers should be referred to your counsel for clarification.
However, telco's in the US are considered common carriers and
are regulated. At present, there are no telco members of the CIX.
We anticipate this will change. CIX members carry commercial
TCP/IP traffic according to the terms and conditions of the CIX
agreement. (Which were adequately described in the press
announcement without the legaleze.) At the moment, the CIX includes
(we believe) 100% of the commercial IP internetworking providers in
the US. Other commercial internetworking providers may announce
a service, and might ask to join the CIX. That will be a private
matter among the CIX members and the new provider. They might be
carriers, and might not.
The very existance of this list (com-priv), as well as the CIX,
is due to our interest and need to remain closely tuned to customer
requirements. We appreciate the candor shown on this list, and
elsewhere, and will continue to keep you informed of our (PSI and
other CIX member) activities which are relevent.
Bill Schrader
President & CEO
PSI, Inc.
====================================================================
Organization: Oslo Stock Exchange
>From: Morten Reistad <MRR@boers.uu.no>
To: com-priv@uu.psi.com
Cc: mrr@boers.uu.no
Subject: Re: Who can connect to CIXes...
Status: R
> Well, given that the CIXes (CIXen?) are physical entities and not just
> plain connections it would sure be nice to have a policy document as to who
> can connect to that physical entity, how and at what cost. We went through
> similar discussions a year or two or so ago with the FIXes (I guess the federal
> mommy of the CIXes), and it is a hairy issue if the agenda is not clear and
> people find out about it and desparately wanting to connect to it directly
> (where else can you find a connectivity point as robust as a mult-agency
> interconnection point (FIX) or multi-commercial network interconnection point
> (CIX))?
>
> Hans-Werner
As I see it this is the core of the debate on commercialization. Is this,
or is it not a common carrier ? (a common carrier is, as I have understood
Common Law, anyone offering the service of carrying traffic to the general
public. Being a C.C. gives you a lot of rights, but it requires you to carry
for ANYONE willing (and able) to pay for the services).
Are the CIXen "members" common carriers? The CIXen themselves ? If they are,
you can just go to them and ask for a commercial price for interconnection.
Otherwise, it is anyones guess.
It seems to me that it would be very foolish for the CIX "members" (what else
should we call them) to try to operate without being a Common Carrier. The
CIX then seems as a demarcation point between carriers. The legal documents
posted here does not seem to shine any light on the issue.
Can anyone enlighten me on these issues ? (or are bright lawyers banned
from this list ?)
Morten Reistad
System Designer
Oslo Stock Exchange Information <mrr@boers.uu.no> +47 2 341 700
