From: William Manning <bmanning@is.rice.edu>
What is a Internet Provider?
An entity that provides IP service to a customer base, either in a closed environment (no external world view) or open, world connected Internet service. At a minimum this would entail a bilateral aggreement with another provider to exchange routing information between the two.
Bill; I think "coordinating" is the operant adjective. Anyone who needs to coordinate is de facto a coordinating internet service provider. Sounds circular, so focus on the adjectival description: What is a Coordinating Internet Provider? ------------ A coordinating internet service provider is a ISP that needs to coordinate with other ISPs for information exchange and service continuity to support the global Internet within the context of <appropriate> standards and <appropriate> practices. That pretty much lets anyone in who agrees to participate. --Kent