Hello all, I apologize for the operational nature of the email, but I interrupt the regular threads to post something to do with peering points. This is from the Miami Herald. What's strange about this is... It's an example of peering converting to transit, or in this case a peering point converting into a transit network. The two are so different that I can't see the connection. Martin ----------------- There are two articles. They are close copies of each together. http://www.miami.com/mld/miami/news/4070039.htm http://www.miami.com/mld/miami/business/4070691.htm

Posted on Fri, Sep. 13, 2002

BellSouth changes strategy of South Florida Internet network BY BEATRICE E. GARCIA bgarcia@herald.com

BellSouth is changing the character and the mission of its South Florida Internet network.

BellSouth's Florida Multimedia Internet Exchange (MIX) won't be billed as a major Internet access point. But the Internet network will expand outside South Florida and eventually move into the nine-state region serviced by BellSouth in order to capitalize on its newly gained entry into the long-distance market.

BellSouth set up its Florida MIX last summer as a major Internet network access point, or NAP, where Internet traffic changes hands, with four connection points: downtown Miami, West Miami-Dade, Fort Lauderdale and Boca Raton.

It was meant to compete with the NAP of the Americas, built in downtown Miami by Terremark Worldwide.

However, sources say the Florida MIX never attracted many customers interested in exchanging Internet traffic between major networks. But it did sign carriers and business customers who used the network to transport Internet traffic within South Florida.

Now that the Atlanta-based company has gained approval to offer long-distance service in Georgia and Louisiana and its application for Florida is pending before federal regulators, the company is setting the groundwork to take its data network services beyond state lines. Long-haul transport is a lucrative service.

David Sutton, a company spokesman, said ''BellSouth is creating a next-generation Internet backbone,'' which is a system of networks and servers used to move Internet traffic long-distance.

BellSouth is calling its new design the BellSouth Regional IP Backbone (BRIB).

The BRIB will feature three central points of presence in Atlanta, Miami and New Orleans.

Sutton said BellSouth will release more information about the BRIB within the next few weeks.