Level 3 Communications has signed a peering deal with XO Communications, based on the bit-mile peering approach which measures both the volume of traffic exchanged and the distance over which that traffic is carried by each network.
In order to keep the relationship equitable and settlement-free, both networks carry approximately the same bit-miles of data, to ensure a balanced cost burden across each network– a boon to their wholesale IP customers.
As the Internet continues to grow and evolve, this approach resolves the imbalances that can occur in traffic patterns and that would otherwise result in increased network costs to one provider or the other involved in a peering relationship.
When asymmetry occurs, the Internet traffic carriers agree to adjust traffic routing and interconnections to maintain a fair and equitable relationship between the two networks. They must also maintain the ability to exchange traffic in a scalable, resilient and reliable manner to avoid impacting the customer experience.
“Level 3?s primary focus is on providing quality service for Internet consumers,” said Jack Waters, Level 3?s CTO. “We look forward to working with our peering partners to drive broader adoption of this bit-mile model to ensure fair and equitable interconnection. We are also working with providers of traffic-flow monitoring systems to make the measurement process straightforward and consistent across the industry.”
The peering agreement also contains provisions to add capacity and establish new interconnection locations between the two networks to stay ahead of growing traffic demand. This approach offers flexibility to each network while improving performance and reliability for customers.
“XO Communications supports equitable settlement-free peering to ensure fair and unconstrained interconnection,” said Randy Nicklas, senior vice president and CTO at XO Communications. “This agreement will ensure a balanced backbone cost burden between our two networks as we continue to grow while providing high-quality service for our respective customers.”
