Carriers need access to more fiber to comply with FCC’s net neutrality decision
Following in chief competitor Verizon Communications’ footsteps, AT&T on May 10 announced an interconnection agreement that will join the mobile network operator’s IP network with Level 3 Communications’ extensive fiber network.
In a joint statement, Level 3 and AT&T said the interconnect deal will yield “improved efficiency of traffic exchange, and the additional capacity and new interconnection locations between the networks will allow customers to continue to experience high-quality performance and network reliability.”
That announcement is strikingly similar to a joint statement put out by Verizon Communications and Level 3 on April 23.
Verizon emphasized the additional capacity that the Level 3 partnership will make available as a specific benefit to its content delivery network.
Many industry watchers interpret these big-time carrier interconnect deals as being prompted by the FCC’s recent reclassification of the Internet as a public utility regulated under Title II.
Rob Powell of Telecom Ramblings said the deals are “a direct result of the FCC’s network neutrality moves. While there was no imminent action planned by the FCC on this front, there was definitely [a] threat to get involved and shine a light around in [an] industry basement that has always been dark. This seems to have been enough to break a few logjams.”
“This agreement will benefit Level 3’s and AT&T’s customers for years to come,” said Anthony Christie, CMO for Level 3.
“With customer needs at the forefront, you enable a growing, secure and resilient interconnection environment,” he said.
Roman Pacewicz, SVP of marketing and global strategy for AT&T Business Solutions said the goal of the interconnect deal is to “ensure customers have the best network experience.”
“By adding capacity with Level 3,” he said, “customers will continue to experience high performance speeds to meet their needs.”
Based in Broomfield, Colo., Level 3’s fiber network includes three continents connected by undersea cables; the firm operates in 500 markets in more than 60 countries.
