XConnect has entered an exclusive agreement with Korea Internet Neutral Exchange to launch a Korean peering federation for IP communications. The new joint venture will provide advanced VoIP and NGN peering capabilities to Korea’s IP communications providers, including mobile, fixed-line, and Web-based service providers and ITSPs. The agreement will also enable inter-federation peering with other initiatives around the globe, such as those formed through XConnect’s Global Alliance and DirectRoute services. Peering will enable Korean operators to exchange calls via IP interconnection, which increases call quality and reduces unnecessary transit costs. Peering also enables these operators to securely offer services that the PSTN cannot carry, such as video and high-definition voice, across network boundaries.

SIP Peering, security, identity management

With all major leading Korean service providers already exchanging IP data packets through its facilities, KINX will use its partnership with XConnect to enable innovative ENUM registry and SIP interconnection services, as well as security and identity management capability, to deliver flexible and policy-based peering.

The full suite of XConnect’s services will be deployed. These services include a multi-lateral interconnect platform, SIP interoperability, and optimized routing via the multi-protocol XConnect directory server, available through both hosted and locally resident options.

Access to other federations will be made available in several forms. International settlement-free peering will be offered through XConnect’s Global Alliance. Federation member providers will also have the option to earn termination revenue from global wholesale carriers through XConnect’s DirectRoute service, and to form separate, customized bilateral peering agreements with their own policies and settlement terms.

The Korean national federation announcement follows XConnect’s development of similar national peering federations in the Netherlands and Brazil.