AT&T, Cogent Strike Interconnection Deal

AT&T says it has reached a long-term interconnection agreement with Cogent for their respective IP networks. AT&T is trying to get its proposed merger with DirecTV through the Federal Communications Commission and Justice Department. Interconnection has been an issue the FCC has been particularly concerned with and the subject of talks between AT&T and FCC about potential deal conditions. Cogent has been pushing the FCC to make sure that preventing congestion and interconnection points is a condition on the deal. “Both Cogent and AT&T’s customers will benefit from this agreement for years to come,” said Dave Schaeffer, chief executive officer for Cogent. “We are putting customer needs at the forefront by enabling an expanded, secure and resilient interconnection environment.”