this is approximately how it seems to work, generically speaking... peering vs transit: 1. networks sell both capacity and "reach" at various prices; "reach" can be descirbed in terms of where the purchasing party's networks are reannounced by the seller, and which of the routes the seller knows will be announced to the buyer. 2. (external) connections (to networks that are not controlled by the same entity) can be described as "revenue" vs. "non-revenue" 3. "revenue" connections earn income directly - the other party is a paying customer; "non-revenue" connections by contrast do not earn money directly (non-paying customer, or non-customer) 4. a "peer" is a non-revenue connection sold with "reach" limited to networks available through revenue connections only sales process: 1. you can always try to negotiate a huge discount on a revenue connection independent of service 2. sales teams have pricing criteria set by guidelines or reviewed by some type of revenue management officer/team peering policy: 1. you may be eligible for a 100% discount limited reach connection if you meet certain criteria and agree to a special contract 2. if you do not meet these criteria, the odds of a sales team giving you a 100% discount are approximately zero 3. however, you may qualify for a significant discount that is not 100%; contact our sales people for details (and please see "sales process" above) Sean.