> Settlement-free peering assumes that bandwidth usage is roughly symmetric: when it's not symmetric, the side sending more bandwidth has to pay.
Does it assume that?
Since about the time of the web browser, we've had consumer-focused ISPs. Consumer traffic is mostly small requests for large replies. But as the article suggests, Level3 has a lot of settlement-free peering with consumer ISPs. My belief is that being settlement free isn't about equality of packets, but equality of demand. E.g., I have a lot of servers made to serve consumers; you have a lot of consumers wanting access to my servers; let's just split the costs.
In any case, given that those Comcast packets are mostly requesting all those Level3 packets, it seems much fairer to charge Comcast disproportionately, as its their customers who are creating the demand.
Does it assume that?
Since about the time of the web browser, we've had consumer-focused ISPs. Consumer traffic is mostly small requests for large replies. But as the article suggests, Level3 has a lot of settlement-free peering with consumer ISPs. My belief is that being settlement free isn't about equality of packets, but equality of demand. E.g., I have a lot of servers made to serve consumers; you have a lot of consumers wanting access to my servers; let's just split the costs.
In any case, given that those Comcast packets are mostly requesting all those Level3 packets, it seems much fairer to charge Comcast disproportionately, as its their customers who are creating the demand.