Cox Reaches Deal With Level 3 On Traffic Exchange

Cox Communications signed multiyear agreements with Level 3 Communications for high-speed IP and transport services, and the companies agreed on terms and conditions under which they will exchange IP traffic between their respective backbone networks.

Under the expanded pact, the MSO also has joined Level 3's wholesale partner program, letting Cox resell Level 3 services. Cox also will purchase additional dark fiber capacity from Level 3 to expand its backbone and support the growth of its broadband network. Separately, Level 3 is engaged in a dispute with Comcast over interconnection fees the MSO is charging Level 3, which is one of the primary content delivery networks for Netflix.

Harold Feld, legal director of Public Knowledge said, "Until now, communications law has never been publicly put up for sale. This draft bill would do that by allowing broadcasters to choose which rules they will follow and which rules they won't if they sell their broadcast spectrum at auction. Similarly, wireless companies would be relieved of even the most minimal existing Net Neutrality requirements if they purchase spectrum under these auctions. Finally, the innovation and experimentation we have seen through the use of unlicensed spectrum would screech to a grinding halt. Rather than have the FCC decide how much spectrum would be used for unlicensed uses, the draft bill would require a collective bid for unlicensed spectrum higher than bids for licensed uses. Given that unlicensed uses like Wi-Fi come from small and new companies, the future of new uses would be very bleak."