Posted: 25th Nov, 2005 By: MarkJ
Members of the London Internet Exchange (LINX) have voted unanimously to make representing their interests a core part of the exchange point's mission. The move makes LINX a powerfully influential voice on Internet policy:
LINX is mutually owned by the nearly 200 providers that make up its membership. Membership is open to any organisation operating its own network that chooses to pass Internet traffic across the carrier-neutral exchange. Most members are Internet Service Providers (ISPs) but also include some major content networks. Almost all major network providers in the UK are LINX members, along with many of the largest European ISPs and some major networks from the Americas, Russia and East Asia.
LINX has provided advice to the government on certain aspects of Internet policy since shortly after its foundation in 1994. Until now such activity has been regarded as a non-core part of LINX's work, and has required annual re-authorisation by the membership.
"This vote highlights how Internet providers are increasingly feeling the effects of regulatory affairs and the ever-growing expectations government has of ISPs," said Malcolm Hutty, LINX's regulatory affairs spokesman. "European legislation is also increasingly having an impact on ISPs' business and it is extremely important that our voice is heard so that the rules are viable and well-informed. LINX is pleased to be able to represent ISPs interests to government and to help government ensure that its decisions are based on a good understanding of technical and commercial reality."
No change is planned to the range of topics on which LINX provides advice to government. As part of its policy of neutrality between member service providers LINX does not lobby on competition and markets issues.