Comcast and Level3 are both being disingenous, really. Each is pretending they're operating as a transit provider (because they both do at times, Level3 more t

Comcast and Level3 are both being disingenous, really. Each is pretending they're operating as a transit provider (because they both do at times, Level3 more than Comcast), but neither is actually doing that at the moment. In this case Comcast is the eyeball network and Level3 is the CDN. I have no doubt that Level 3's CDN traffic went through the roof when they took on Netflix. I also have no doubt that Comcast went "oh, we have them by the balls, lets get more money". It's not really a simple thing to take sides on. It is a problem, though, that Comcast is operating as a de facto monopoly with their connected consumers. That's kind of the breaks of giving them that sort of leverage. Thank your congressman. Level3 is sure using that story to their advantage. --Edit-- Also, Comcast apparently does charge other CDNs like this. My opinion has tilted slightly in their favor, it sounds like they're at least being consistant. CDNs always have the option of not using a peering connection but going through paid transit.