Working Out the KINX of VoIP Peering

If there is one thing that can really help VoIP networks to securely interconnect it is an Internet Exchange, or IX. These are typically Layer 2 Ethernet switches that facilitate local and even in some cases distributed direct peering between multiple parties. The benefits are QoS, predictability in scale and reliability as well as inherent security. Established IX’s tend to attract any new IP networks seeking peering as the density of critical mass has an irresistible gravitational pull. The KINX (News - Alert) is just such an IX, located in Dogok-dong Gangnam-gu Seoul, Korea the so-called “Mecca of Korean IT and telecom”. The KINX lists some of the biggest names in Asian IP including KT (News - Alert) Networks, SK, REACH and Reliance. Being a natural meeting place for IP networks bodes well for the inclusion of VoIP networks and because of this fit, an interesting relationship has formed. XConnect (News - Alert) recently announced it has entered in to an exclusive agreement with the KINX to launch a Korean peering federation for IP communications.

This announcement adds to the list of international federation initiatives that XConnect has begun. Clearly VoIP peering has taken hold in the minds of many around the world and is now a serious strategic consideration. As Camille Mendler, VP at Yankee Group (News - Alert) stated from the original release: Multi-lateral peering reduces risk and complexity in a chaotic market. Service providers worldwide urgently need new interconnect solutions to handle the aggressive growth of VoIP and multimedia traffic. Reducing risk and complexity is high on the list of things to do by many in the world today including those in the financial markets. The hard lessons being learned by the lack of planning and oversight will hopefully reach over in to other aspects of business administration in general and be a catalyst to convert those that either do not yet use VoIP, or do so, but not to the fullest extent possible. Utilizing VoIP peering services from organizations such as XConnect are taking a big step in the right direction towards maximum utilization.

For VoIP peering to have reached a level where the Yankee Group acknowledges it is quite an accomplishment in and of itself, but the real victory is in seeing the service adopted by users worldwide. It is good to see that the things that are still growing strong get noticed and that deals are still happening in this space. Hopefully the kinks can be worked out of the international banking system so that the rest of the world can experience aggressive growth again too. IT

Hunter Newby (News - Alert) is the Chief Strategy Officer and a Director of a Special Purpose Acquisition Corporation focused on the communications industry. Reach him at hunter@hunternewby.com or visit www.hunternewby.com.

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