Unlike a network-only based NAP, the PAIX provides a data center within which large providers can "privately peer" rather than run through the GIGAswitch. For some providers, extending their backbone into the PAIX pays off because they can then sell transit from within the facility to other providers, or even use it as a hub site (or POP). What we have found is that the large providers such as MCI and Sprint have traditionally preferred a circuit-based connection to their transit and private peer customers rather than a colocate environment; Perhaps they do not feel the business of the current PAIX customers would be sufficient to offset the costs of extending their backbone and the physical equipment. The interesting element to all of this is many of our customers have outright said to us that IF Sprint and MCI were to put an Internet backbone presence within the facility, they would buy transit from them here (we could practically guarantee them customers). Also, many of our national and international customers would immediately purchase redundant carrier circuits through MCI and Sprint if they were to locate fiber muxes here as well (rather than terminate through other local loop providers). I realize these are two completely separate issues. On a side note, AT&T has been approaching us from within business units interested in making money by placing a presence here, though I believe there is great deal of internal communication which has to happen before it manifests itself in a fiber mux or a backbone presence. At 01:07 AM 06/25/1997 -0700, Brett D. Watson wrote:

...

I can think of one good reason:

Not everyone you might want to peer with on the West Coast is at the PAIX.

that brings up another question i've meant to ask. what are the larger provider's reasons (if anyone cares to comment) for not peering at paix? mci? sprint? is it just the typical feeling that more public peering is not necessarily a good thing, or something else?

-brett

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