The London Internet Exchange (Linx), a union of 60 ISPs, is working on two documents that aim to provide a standardized way of formulating peering agreements and solving disputes. The move is seen by Linx as a way of pre-empting a potential rise in such disputes. Linx, whose members include Cable & Wireless, PSINet UK and Global One, is open to any ISP with a permanent international connection to the internet. The ISP partnership was set up in 1994 by five ISPs to provide a physical interconnection for service providers to exchange traffic through cooperative peering agreements and to promote the interests of its members. Since then, membership has grown at an average of one new member per month. Keith Mitchell, CEO of Linx, told Computerwire that one of the documents it is preparing will set out a non-binding peering dispute resolution procedure that is intended to give companies guidelines on how to resolve their disputes. The second document will provide a template for peering contracts that companies can modify to their specific needs. The documents have already been drafted and made available to all 60 members of Linx, but Mitchell said work still needs to be done on them. Mitchell could not give completion dates for either document, but said the peering dispute resolution procedures would be discussed again by members at a meeting next February. Nevertheless, both documents have in principle been agreed to by all members. Mitchell said formulating a dispute resolution procedure was suggested by Oftel, the UK telecomunications regulator, which has been aware of disputes arising, although no formal complaints have been filed. Oftel is keen that action should be taken before any major disputes occur. Mitchell said that Linx, as a neutral, non- profit organization with clout, was seen as the best candidate to handle these initiatives.
