Globe to PLDT: Nothing less than unconditional peering is acceptable 

Unconditional IP peering is the only acceptable mode of exchanging Internet traffic, Globe said recently in response to PLDT’s peering arrangement proposal.

 

PLDT reached out to Globe in August this year to open talks about a possible IP peering arrangement between the two telecommunications companies, drafting a proposal “based on internationally accepted peering practices.”

 

However, Globe believes that the proposal in its current form is still unacceptable, claiming that it will prevent Globe’s customers from accessing content hosted by PLDT’s data centers.

 

Looking forward to agreement

 

“The proposal does not go far enough even to meet the definition of peering,” said Globe Chief Operating Officer Gil Genio. “As is, PLDT’s proposed peering agreement won’t be effective in improving the country’s internet speed as it doesn’t allow Globe customers to directly access content and applications hosted by the PLDT group without exception.”

 

Despite their concerns about the current form of PLDT’s proposal, Genio said that Globe still commends PLDT’s decision to open negotiations on IP peering. “We are optimistic as PLDT has finally responded positively to our long-standing call for IP peering. We are confident that ongoing discussions will lead to better quality of internet services benefitting customers of both parties and the country as a whole,” he said.

 

Globe said that they have already informed PLDT of their concerns.

 

PHOpenIX

 

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and PLDT reached an agreement last month where fiber optic facilities would link PLDT to DOST’s Philippine Open Internet Exchange (PHOpenIX) and PLDT would provide rack space in their VITRO Data Center facility for a third PHOpenIX node.

 

“Local peering will help improve the web experience of Internet users in the country by keeping local traffic local.  That is why we struck an agreement with DOST and why we are pursuing another one with Globe,” said Ernesto Alberto, PLDT executive vice president for Enterprise and International Business and president and CEO of ePLDT.

 

But according to Globe, PLDT’s arrangement with PHOpenIX doesn’t require them to exchange traffic with other Internet service providers (ISPs) and only allows PLDT to peer directly with government websites. They add that up to 70 percent of local Internet traffic has to be routed outside of the country before it can reenter the Philippines, meaning it takes longer for data to be transmitted to the user and incurring additional transit costs.

 

“[F]or data to take a longer path just because providers refuse to peer openly doesn’t make sense,” said DOST’s Information and Communications Technology Office (ICTO) in a statement. “Not only does it slow down access, it also causes unnecessary congestion of the country’s connection to the International Internet, further slowing down access not only to local content but also to content residing in foreign servers.”

 

The DOST-ICTO added that the fact that the Philippines accessed international Internet content more than any other Asia Pacific country was even more reason for local ISPs to openly peer. “We already have traffic congestion on our highways and there is no reason why we should have congestion on the Information superhighway as well.”

 

GMA News Online was able to contact PLDT, but the telco declined to add anything further to its original statement.

 

Freedom to connect

 

“IP peering should promote Internet access by improving Internet speed across the board to everyone, without elitist fast lanes for those able to pay top dollar for decent Internet service,” said Atty. Marlon Tonson, member of the Legal Team of the Philippine Internet Freedom Alliance (PIFA).

 

Tonson also said that the Philippine Constitution, Section 10 of Article XVI specifically, “guarantees that the policy environment for emergent technologies must promote the balanced flow of information into, out of” the country. — TJD, GMA News