The World Trade Organization defines interconnection as:
Linking with suppliers providing public telecommunications transport networks or services in order to allow the users of one supplier to communicate with users of another supplier and to access services provided by another supplier, where specific commitments are undertaken. [1]
As technology has changed and competition has intensified, many forms of interconnection have developed. All involve the linking of networks to enable customers of one network to communicate with customers of another network or to have access to services offered by another network operator. Examples of interconnection include:
- Two adjacent, non-competing telephone networks interconnect so that subscribers on one network can call those on the other (see Figure 1).
- Long-distance carriers obtain access to the facilities of a local service provider and compete against that provider in providing long-distance services to a common customer base (see Figure 2).
- Traditional wireline telephone and new wireless mobile carriers interconnect so that subscribers of the traditional phone service can call wireless subscribers, and vice versa (see Figure 3).
- New competitive local telephone carriers interconnect with the incumbent carrier so that they can attract subscribers in the common service territory, and enable those subscribers to call subscribers on the incumbent’s network. Such competitive local carriers may also lease specific network elements from the incumbent (see Figure 4).
- Customers of the incumbent telephone carrier make calls to their dial-up Internet Service Provider, which in turn is a customer of a competing local carrier (see Figure 5).
- Firms offering a service in which part of the call is routed by Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) interconnect with traditional local service providers to complete the call (see Figure 6).
Endnotes:
[1] Telecommunications Services: Reference Paper, 24 April 1996. Downloaded from http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/serv_e/telecom_e/tel23_e.htm
RELATED INFORMATION
Forms of Interconnection
Why is Interconnection Important?
Why Regulate Interconnection?
FIGURES
Figure 1: Adjacent Telephone Networks
Figure 2: Long Distance Carrier and Vertically Integrated Incumbent
Figure 3: Wireline Carrier and Mobile Carrier
Figure 4: Competitive Local Carrier and Incumbent Location Carrier (Common Service Territory)
Figure 5: Dial-Up ISP Connected to a Competing Local Carrier
Figure 6: Competing Operator Routes Calls Using VOIP
