[qi:046] It looks like the Sprint (s S) and Cogent (s CCOI) networks are back talking to each other — at least temporarily. After the two companies severed networks on Oct. 30, there has been wide spread criticism of the severing of the networks. According to some sources, the disconnection between two networks caused problems for universities and many U.S. government agencies that are customers of Sprint. In an update on its web site, Sprint announced that it was reconnecting the networks as an interim solution.
Sprint initiated a temporary reconnection to the Cogent network on Sunday, November 2nd so that customers would have temporary access while longer-term alternate and permanent access options are explored. We emphasize that this reconnection is temporary only, as the core issues in this dispute have not changed. Cogent was notified in advance of the November 2nd reconnection; therefore, any access disruptions occurring during this temporary period are the sole result of a negative reaction instigated by Cogent against the customers of both parties.
Earlier this week when I spoke to Dave Schaffer, CEO of Cogent Communications, he pointed out that Sprint was a tiny fraction of the traffic coming to Cogent network, and the dispute was affecting customers who are single-homed to only the Sprint network, especially those trying to access the Internet from Sprint’s mobile devices.
Hope Sprint and Cogent figure this one out without destroying customers. Time to shut the lawyers up and let common sense prevail.
These silly fights show how ridiculous both companies are when it comes to customers.
Grow up, Guys!
Cogent isn’t going to back down and buy IP transit, if they do that then other tier-1’s will smell blood. They have to make Sprint do it again, so I doubt this is over.
If Sprint needs the interconnection more than Cogent, shouldn’t Cogent be the one asking for money to do it?
I suspect this isn’t over.. There’s disparity so it’s not true peering, thus sprint wants cogent to pay. Cogent can’t afford to pay because then all the other tier 1’s will expect the same thing.
The amount of posturing and spin-doctoring by both sides is amazing.. love the way that Cogent makes it sounds like this is a reason not to have internet via a sprint mobile device.. and tries to make sprint seem like a small player “..is a fraction of the traffic”.
Since they’ve picked this fight with more than one tier one, you have to give Cogent some credit for experience with the posturing.. I’m kind of astounded that they manage at the same time they are portraying this as a david vs goliath battle, to make statements that belittle the size of goliath at the very same time.
Frankly I’m a bit suprised we haven’t seen sprint and other tier 1’s unite and go after cogent as a ‘freeloader’ and just all publically state that they need to start paying for what they are using.. If several tier 1’s all did that at the same time, and gave a similar deadline, it would make their case that cogent is getting a ‘free ride’ a lot stronger I’d think..
@Chuck vdl
I would assume that the reason that Tier 1 carriers don’t do as you suggest is that this is called collusion and other nastly legal names and could land them in legal hot water.
If Sprint wants to shut down transit traffic, fine! But if their customers are taking more content from Cogent based sites than vice versa that’s tough. They are selling Internet access not just access to the parts of the Internet that Sprint can get money from.