by Fearless » Thu Oct 06, 2005 3:08 pm
...<br><br>"Peering" arrangements are maintained by network companies that agree to connect their networks directly together to exchange traffic more efficiently. When the companies are of roughly equal size, money rarely exchanges hands. <br><br>Level 3 contends that its arrangement with Cogent is no longer financially viable, since it is larger than the other company. It has asked Cogent to seek other arrangements, possibly including paying for the traffic exchange, a Level 3 representative said. <br><br>Cogent CEO Dave Schaeffer contested that claim, saying that its network is at least as big as Level 3's, and that it makes no sense to pay for the connection. Cogent is offering any Level 3 user who can't get to Cogent sites free Internet service for a year, in an attempt to attract its rival's customers. <br><br>...<br><br><!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://news.com.com/Network%20feud%20leads%20to%20Net%20blackout/2100-1038_3-5889592.html?part=rss&tag=5889592&subj=news" target="top">Link</a><!--EZCODE LINK END--> <p></p><i></i>