Promoting Exchanges for Enhanced Routing of Information So Networks are Great (PEERING) Act

Wed Jan 17 18:48:20 UTC 2018

New bill out today as part of a larger set of broadband infrastructure
bills, the result of some of the NANOG community's conversations with House
staffers (and likely other 3rd parties influence):

H.R. ____, “Promoting Exchanges for Enhanced Routing of Information So
Networks are Great (PEERING) Act,” sponsored by Representative Billy Long
(MO-07)

• Internet Exchanges (or peering centers) are the physical locations where
networks come together, and where content providers cache content closer to
end users to increase speed and efficiency of networks.

• The bill would authorize a matching a grant program through the National
Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to promote peering
centers where none exist, or to help an existing one expand if it is the
only such facility in a core-based statistical area.

• The bill would also authorize eligible recipients under the Universal
Service Fund’s E-Rate program (schools and libraries) and Telehealth
program to use such funds to contract with a broadband provider to obtain a
connection to a peering facility, or to pay costs of maintaining a point of
presence at a peering facility.