25 July 2013
25.07.2013
The presence of large operators in the national interexchanges needs to be increased – this is one of the conclusions of the survey which ANCOM conducted on the IP interconnection of the electronic communications networks from Romania.
More than 70% of the participants in the ANCOM survey consider that the presence of large operators in the national interexchanges is necessary for it would allow the conclusion of IP peering interconnection agreements (which do not include the obligation to transport traffic for a third party). On the other side, there are large operators who do not consider as necessary their presence in the national interexchanges, due to operational and commercial reasons. As regards the exchange of a large traffic volume, the providers prefer the direct interconnection. Nonetheless, the interconnection in an interexchange point would suit the providers when exchanging a small traffic volume.
Concerning the IP peering interconnection agreements, the majority of respondent operators (76%) chose to conclude agreements under the form of a written contract which ensures a satisfactory level of the quality of service and covers aspects such as the technical procedures for interconnection and congestion handling.
58% of the respondents did not face problems in negotiating the interconnection agreements at the time of concluding the contracts. Nevertheless, problems were reported at the conclusion of the agreements, caused by technical (e.g. lack of available ports) or commercial aspects (e.g. an imbalanced traffic between operators or unjustifiably excessive tariffs).
The ANCOM survey provided relevant information for a more accurate understanding of the aspects involved by the IP interconnection between the providers of internet access services from Romania, which is difficult to be analysed because of the multitude of such providers and the complexity of the interconnection system.
The IP interconnection ensures the interoperability of the operators’ networks and services, in particular for the provision of internet access services, data transmission services, new video (IPTV, VoD, video streaming) and audio (nomadic VoIP) broadcasting services. As it offers a greater flexibility in terms of data flow management, the IP interconnection is to replace in the medium run the classic TDM interconnection, preponderantly used today to provide telephone services. ANCOM is watching the evolutions in the IP interconnection segment in order to ensure a fair competition in the relevant electronic communications markets.
The ANCOM survey, built on a questionnaire targeting the providers of electronic communications services, pursued the evaluation and quantification of the problems (commercial, technical etc.) the providers of internet access services deal with when concluding and implementing the IP interconnection agreements.
The survey is available on the Authority’s website, here.