Topic: Cogent

Cogent Communications has reportedly stopped providing backhaul services to Russia, raising questions about the resilience of the global internet. The hosts discuss the potential catastrophic consequences of an internet shutdown, noting how modern infrastructure like smart locks and thermostats rely on connectivity.

The "interconnection market" is explained as the competitive space where backbone providers exchange traffic. The hosts discuss how Netflix's massive bandwidth requirements disrupted the traditional "settlement-free peering" model, where traffic was roughly in balance. They argue that Netflix is attempting to shift its distribution costs onto ISPs and, ultimately, onto all internet consumers, regardless of whether they use the service.