'Unfair' Discrimination in Two-Sided Peering? Evidence from Linx

Abstract

Does asymmetry between Internet Providers affect the "fairness" of their interconnection contracts? While recent game theoretic literature provides contrasting answers to this question, there is a lack of empirical research. We introduce a novel dataset on micro-interconnection policies and provide an econometric analysis of the determinants of peering decisions amongst the Internet Service Providers interconnecting at the London Internet Exchange Point (LINX).

Our key result shows that two different metrics, introduced to capture asymmetry, exert opposite effects. Asymmetry in "market size" enhances the quality of the link, while asymmetry in "network centrality" induces quality degradation, hence "unfairer" interconnection conditions.

Keywords: Internet Peering, Two-sided Markets, Network Industries, Antitrust

JEL Classification: L14, L86, L96, C81, L40