I would be extremely appreciative if someone could explain to me how US ISPs and backbone operators address their international connectivity requirements:

o How is their traffic routed? o How do peering relationships work and where do they take place? o Who pays whom for international transport(undersea cable and/or satellite) and services?

In general those of us who aren't in the US pay to connect to those of you who are. The efficacies, origins, and politics of this arrangement normally, but not always, depend on which side of the pond you come from. Traffic is normally routed as if one was a US customer with a very long tail, though their are various peering points outside the US (see Bill Manning's page at isi.edu) to attempt to keep local traffic local. Peering is normally settlement free, just like in the US. Also there are some continental transit backbones. See http://www.ebone.net/ for example. The above is by no means a full answer. -- Alex Bligh GX Networks (formerly Xara Networks)