For quite some time CDN operators like Wornex have realized that a good way of minimizing the traffic that flows across the backbones is to store content as close as possible to the end users.
Google, Netflix, Microsoft, as well as many high traffic sites and major streaming content providers use different forms of edge caching to that effect. More recently, broadband providers like Comcast and Telecom Italia started depeering or reducing the number of neutral network access points leading to all sort of problems (and downtime) to home and office internet connections.
CDN and edge caching may help content providers in lowering latency to the end user, and avoiding packets to travel forth and back across the oceans at a slower speed. Operators like Comcast and Telecom Italia are increasingly seeking revenues from content providers neglecting their primary role to serve end users with the best possible connection to the Internet.
Several broadband operators are now asking fees for either peering directly or placing caching content servers inside their network, so that their users can get more speed on the data. What happens with de-peering, in fact, is that local broadband users are forced to access local, national or government sites (slowly and less reliably) via long-path routing using international gateways, unless content is cached inside their local network.
As we know from disclosure of recent NSA activity, this may unnecessarily increase the possibility that even encrypted connections are spoofed and personal and company data compromised.
Will this send also a signal to cloud providers, privacy authoritities and antitrust regulators?
We wish that CIO, CTOs and end users knew that some broadband providers are not working to the best interest of their customers, so check your provider’s peering policy and traceroutes before committing or renewing your home or office internet connection.
