Norwegian Internet Exchange
Encyclopedia
The Norwegian Internet Exchange or NIX is an Internet exchange point
in Oslo
, Norway
. NIX is owned and operated by the Centre for Information Technology Services (USIT), University of Oslo
, and has two physical locations in the Oslo area. Some 60 companies are connected to the NIX, including most ISPs operating in Norway and the two largest Norwegian TV companies, NRK
and TV2
.
announced that it would withdraw from NIX. It would allow other Internet service providers to directly peer with Telenor, but wants to be able to charge content providers, like NRK
or Schibsted
, for prioritised access to their network. The Norwegian Post and Telecommunications Authority
stated they would look at the legality of this move, but concluded that the withdrawal from NIX would not negatively affect the Norwegian Internet infrastructure.
In July 2007 NextGentel supported Telenor in its choice to withdraw from NIX. At the same time The Norwegian Post and Telecommunications Authority stated that the change will not hurt many-to-many communication and that companies like Telenor and NextGentel should be able to decide prices themselves, based on usage.
Internet Exchange Point
An Internet exchange point is a physical infrastructure through which Internet service providers exchange Internet traffic between their networks . IXPs reduce the portion of an ISP's traffic which must be delivered via their upstream transit providers, thereby reducing the average per-bit...
in Oslo
Oslo
Oslo is a municipality, as well as the capital and most populous city in Norway. As a municipality , it was established on 1 January 1838. Founded around 1048 by King Harald III of Norway, the city was largely destroyed by fire in 1624. The city was moved under the reign of Denmark–Norway's King...
, Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
. NIX is owned and operated by the Centre for Information Technology Services (USIT), University of Oslo
University of Oslo
The University of Oslo , formerly The Royal Frederick University , is the oldest and largest university in Norway, situated in the Norwegian capital of Oslo. The university was founded in 1811 and was modelled after the recently established University of Berlin...
, and has two physical locations in the Oslo area. Some 60 companies are connected to the NIX, including most ISPs operating in Norway and the two largest Norwegian TV companies, NRK
Norsk Rikskringkasting
The Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation , which is usually known as NRK, is the Norwegian government-owned radio and television public broadcasting company, and the largest media organisation in Norway...
and TV2
TV 2 (Norway)
TV 2 is the largest commercial television station in Norway. Over 30% of the time Norwegians spend watching TV is spent watching TV 2. The station has 65% of the market for TV commercials in Norway....
.
Controversy
In June 2007 TelenorTelenor
Telenor Group is the incumbent telecommunications company in Norway, with headquarters located at Fornebu, close to Oslo. Today, Telenor Group is mostly an international wireless carrier with operations in Scandinavia, Eastern Europe and Asia, working predominantly under the Telenor brand...
announced that it would withdraw from NIX. It would allow other Internet service providers to directly peer with Telenor, but wants to be able to charge content providers, like NRK
Norsk Rikskringkasting
The Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation , which is usually known as NRK, is the Norwegian government-owned radio and television public broadcasting company, and the largest media organisation in Norway...
or Schibsted
Schibsted
Schibsted is a Norwegian media conglomerate with operations in 20 countries, the most important being Norway and Sweden. The company has its headquarters in Oslo, Norway and is listed on Oslo Stock Exchange....
, for prioritised access to their network. The Norwegian Post and Telecommunications Authority
Norwegian Post and Telecommunications Authority
Norwegian Post and Telecommunications Authority is a Norwegian government agency responsible for controlling and regulating the telecommunication and postal sector of Norway...
stated they would look at the legality of this move, but concluded that the withdrawal from NIX would not negatively affect the Norwegian Internet infrastructure.
In July 2007 NextGentel supported Telenor in its choice to withdraw from NIX. At the same time The Norwegian Post and Telecommunications Authority stated that the change will not hurt many-to-many communication and that companies like Telenor and NextGentel should be able to decide prices themselves, based on usage.