Wednesday, November 19, 6:00 – 8:15 p.m.

Peering into the Future: An Examination of Legal and Technical Issues Surrounding Peering Arrangements

 

The FCBA Wireline Committee will hold a CLE on Wednesday, November 19 from 6:00 – 8:15 p.m. examining the debate among Internet service providers, content providers and public interest groups regarding what the FCC should and will do next with respect to paid peering arrangements.  The topic is particularly timely in light of the FCC’s recent request for information from industry stakeholders regarding peering agreements.   The CLE will feature a presentation on the technical aspects of peering arrangements, perspectives from leading legal and policy experts, and discussion of the relationship between peering arrangements and the proposed net neutrality rules.

 

*NOTE:  This program will be held at Wiley Rein LLP, 1776 K Street, NW.  It was originally scheduled to take place at another location.

 

AGENDA

 

6:00 – 6:05 p.m.         Welcome and Introduction

 

6:05 – 6:50 p.m.         A Technical Primer on Peering Arrangements

 

To understand the debate surrounding peering arrangements, it is important to understanding the Internet’s interconnection ecosystem.  The presentation will explore many of the big technical issues surrounding peering, including, the difference between transit and peering? Who are peers and why are they peering? What constitutes a peering arrangement and a paid peering arrangement? Are peering arrangements formalized in written documents or are they handshake agreements? Are peering arrangements symmetrical?  What is the history of peering arrangements?

 

Speaker:

Bill Woodcock, Director of Research, Packet Clearing House

 

6:50 – 7:00 p.m.         Break

 

7:00 – 8:15 p.m.         The Future of Peering Arrangements

 

Legal and policy experts will debate the future of peering arrangements.  Will the FCC regulate peering arrangements?  How might the FCC’s Open Internet proceeding affect peering arrangements?  What are the pros and cons of regulating peering arrangements?  What would FCC regulation resemble?

 

Moderator:

Brett A. Shumate, Associate, Wiley Rein LLP

 

Speakers:  

Brent Olson, Vice President of Public Policy, AT&T

Joe Cavender, Vice President and Assistant General Counsel, Federal Affairs, Level 3 Communications

Michael Romano, Senior Vice President of Policy, NTCA – The Rural Broadband Association

Sarah Morris, Senior Policy Counsel, Open Technology Institute at New America Foundation

Berin Szoka, President, TechFreedom