My Presentation on the Internet Governance Forum "IGF" 2015, workshop "Internet Interconnection under Regulatory Pressure" . Workshop Background : Peering coordinators and network engineers often describe internet interconnection as largely unregulated. And indeed, there is no central feature of the internet that has been subject to as little formal regulation as the making of connectivity. However, we can observe that local regulation is starting to emerge in the field. There is transparency regulation – for instance, in France networks have to report to the regulator upon request about their peering relationships. In the USA, the FCC just recently declared itself to be in charge of dispute resolution in interconnection conflicts. And then there is more general regulation, such as licensing rules that set a threshold for organisations to participate in internet interconnection at all (e.g. India) or, trade embargoes, which limit companies of a certain origin in operating in a specific country (like the USA in Iran). It is time to take account of this development and begin a debate about such governance initiatives in light of what we actually know about how connectivity is being established, maintained and discontinued. The proposed workshop will serve to a) create an overview of emerging modes of regulation that affect internet interconnection in the different regions of the world, b) systematise the means, resources and motivations that regulators mobilise in these settings and, c) discuss experiences with and implications of the possible trend towards formal regulation of internet interconnection. The following experts will be on the panel: - Mohamed El Bashir (Qatar Communications Regulatory Authority ) - Prof. Laura DeNardis (American University, remotely) - Mike Jensen ("IXP Toolkit"; APC/ISOC) - Manoj Kumar Misra (Association of Competitive Telecom Operators/Vodafone) - Martin Levy (Cloudflare) - Bill Woodcock (Packet Clearing House). Live Remote participation access ( 12 Nov. 2015) : https://intgovforum.webex.com/intgovforum/j.php?RGID=r97ca5605a0243cfb04345dae848ebe9e

1. 1
The Internet Future is Broadband
§ Broadband is critical for soci-ecominc development
§ Internet Users demand high bandwidth ( e.g telecommuting, HD TV, Multimedia sharing, …etc )
§ Machine to Machine and Internet of Things
§ Development of an Knowledge economy, diversification and DP growth
§ Last mile fiber deployment is key to provide high broadband capacity

2. 2
Open Access Networks
§ The issue :
o Incumbent operator(s) control over the passive telecom infrastructure
( Ducts network )
§ Open Access : Third parties to use an existing network infrastructure
§ Open Access to passive infrastructure will :
ü Expedite Broadband rollout
ü Promote choice for consumers
ü Addressing Infrastructure Bottlenecks
§ Open Access ( Fixed Networks ):
ü Access to Local loop
ü Wholesale services ( e.g bitstream )
ü Dark fibre
ü Access to Ducts
ü Access to in-building wiring
§ Open Access ( Mobile Networks ):
ü Mobile Virtual Network Operator

3. 3
Regulatory Issues and Focus
Regulatory focus :
ü ensure access on fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory terms
ü Promoting infrastructure
ü Infrastructure cost sharing
ü Avoid Exclusive Agreements ( Operators and Owners/Developers )
Options and Models :
§ Technical Options ( Network infrastructure sharing, ducts, fiber, …etc )
§ Government/Private Partnership ( Australia, Qatar, Oman, Malaysia, Singapore )
NBNs Fibre Deployment ( Core to Customer access Networks )
§ Improve investment incentives for network operators ( Europe )
§ Hybrid Gov. Funding (Low Interest, Long Term ) and Private Funding ( Africa )

4. 4
Regulatory Issues and Disputes
§ New Entrants Rollout :
ü Efficient, easy, a quick Right of Way ( ROA )
ü Access and Sharing Regime
§ Access/Sharing to Ducts and Associated Civil Infrastructure
“Technical Standards for Fixed Infrastructure Rollout”
§ Access/Sharing of Telecom Infrastructure in Mega Projects and Developments
ü Exclusive Agreements Vs Open Access
ü Developers Access Obligations
ü In-Building wiring enforcement ( Building permit process )
§ Lack of Clear Rules and Responsibilities
§ Road Opening and Right of Way
§ Obligation of Real Estate owners/developers
§ Building Permit process

5. 5
Way Forward
§ Infrastructure Readiness
( in-building wiring, Ducts infrastructure )
§ Passive Infrastructure Development ( e.g Ducts )
in a Public/Private Partnership
§ Technical Standards and Guidelines
for Access and Sharing of Passive Infrastructure

6. 6
Thank You
mbashir@cra.gov.qa