CenturyLink/ Cogent: If Free Peering is the Norm, What About VoIP Interconnection?

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A CenturyLink spokesperson declined to comment further on the matter of the IP interconnection agreement between CenturyLink and Cogent, and Cogent was not able to make anyone available to answer questions on this matter until next week. But based on a series of developments that have occurred in this area, it’s likely that the agreement calls for free traffic exchange -- a big change from how things were a few years ago.

The new interconnection deals seem to be primarily focused on data traffic, but as the industry prepares for a TDM-to-IP transition, similar traffic exchange issues for voice traffic will be at the forefront. Traditionally small rural carriers have relied on paid interconnection to help cover the costs of bringing service to their territories, which are more costly to serve than urban areas. And as free IP data traffic exchange becomes more commonplace, some in the industry may view that as a precedent that they may also want to apply to VoIP interconnection.


CenturyLink/ Cogent: If Free Peering is the Norm, What About VoIP Interconnection?