<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:x="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:excel" xmlns:p="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:powerpoint" xmlns:a="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:access" xmlns:dt="uuid:C2F41010-65B3-11d1-A29F-00AA00C14882" xmlns:s="uuid:BDC6E3F0-6DA3-11d1-A2A3-00AA00C14882" xmlns:rs="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:rowset" xmlns:z="#RowsetSchema" xmlns:b="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:publisher" xmlns:ss="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:spreadsheet" xmlns:c="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:component:spreadsheet" xmlns:oa="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:activation" xmlns:html="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40" xmlns:q="http://schemas.xmlsoap.org/soap/envelope/" xmlns:D="DAV:" xmlns:x2="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/excel/2003/xml" xmlns:ois="http://schemas.microsoft.com/sharepoint/soap/ois/" xmlns:dir="http://schemas.microsoft.com/sharepoint/soap/directory/" xmlns:ds="http://www.w3.org/2000/09/xmldsig#" xmlns:dsp="http://schemas.microsoft.com/sharepoint/dsp" xmlns:udc="http://schemas.microsoft.com/data/udc" xmlns:xsd="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema" xmlns:sps="http://schemas.microsoft.com/sharepoint/soap/" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xmlns:udcxf="http://schemas.microsoft.com/data/udc/xmlfile" xmlns:wf="http://schemas.microsoft.com/sharepoint/soap/workflow/" xmlns:mver="http://schemas.openxmlformats.org/markup-compatibility/2006" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns:mrels="http://schemas.openxmlformats.org/package/2006/relationships" xmlns:ex12t="http://schemas.microsoft.com/exchange/services/2006/types" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40">
<head>
<meta http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=us-ascii">
<meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 12 (filtered medium)">
<!--[if !mso]>
<style>
v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
.shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Helvetica;
panose-1:2 11 6 4 2 2 2 2 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:Tahoma;
panose-1:2 11 6 4 3 5 4 4 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:Consolas;
panose-1:2 11 6 9 2 2 4 3 2 4;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:blue;
text-decoration:underline;}
a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:purple;
text-decoration:underline;}
p.MsoPlainText, li.MsoPlainText, div.MsoPlainText
{mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-link:"Plain Text Char";
mso-margin-top-alt:auto;
margin-right:0in;
mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;
margin-left:0in;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";}
p.MsoListParagraph, li.MsoListParagraph, div.MsoListParagraph
{mso-style-priority:34;
margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:.5in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";}
span.PlainTextChar
{mso-style-name:"Plain Text Char";
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-link:"Plain Text";
font-family:Consolas;}
span.apple-style-span
{mso-style-name:apple-style-span;}
span.EmailStyle21
{mso-style-type:personal;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D;}
span.EmailStyle22
{mso-style-type:personal;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D;}
span.EmailStyle23
{mso-style-type:personal;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D;}
span.EmailStyle25
{mso-style-type:personal-reply;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
font-size:10.0pt;}
@page Section1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
/* List Definitions */
@list l0
{mso-list-id:1109012592;
mso-list-type:hybrid;
mso-list-template-ids:1763969070 -139793374 67698691 67698693 67698689 67698691 67698693 67698689 67698691 67698693;}
@list l0:level1
{mso-level-start-at:0;
mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:-;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;}
@list l0:level2
{mso-level-tab-stop:1.0in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;}
@list l0:level3
{mso-level-tab-stop:1.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;}
@list l0:level4
{mso-level-tab-stop:2.0in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;}
@list l0:level5
{mso-level-tab-stop:2.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;}
@list l0:level6
{mso-level-tab-stop:3.0in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;}
@list l0:level7
{mso-level-tab-stop:3.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;}
@list l0:level8
{mso-level-tab-stop:4.0in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;}
@list l0:level9
{mso-level-tab-stop:4.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;}
ol
{margin-bottom:0in;}
ul
{margin-bottom:0in;}
-->
</style>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapedefaults v:ext="edit" spidmax="1026" />
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapelayout v:ext="edit">
<o:idmap v:ext="edit" data="1" />
</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]-->
</head>
<body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple style='word-wrap: break-word;
-khtml-nbsp-mode: space;-khtml-line-break: after-white-space'>
<div class=Section1>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>Hello Salman, <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>I agree with you on the content part. Whether it was
international content or Arabic one, there is not enough existing traffic to
enable cost effective peering. I too know many International entities that are
looking to mirror their content in the region (and are discouraged because of
the extremely expensive International bandwidth pricing which exist at the
moment, but I know for a fact, in Egypt this issue will undergo a huge
reduction in prices within the next 18 – 24 months), but after doing lots
of research on the Arabic content, believe it or not, there are, unfortunately unknown,
entities. They are individual efforts done from ordinary people, and not
sponsored by big companies or are getting the media attention or are receiving any
acquisition offers even though they generate huge traffic. If we look closely
we will find lots of attempts for placing content in Arabic on the web,
however, we as a ME market and users are still not mature enough to accept this
content, give it the same attention the international one is getting. We still
lack the business environment that can accommodate this. I personally think
that we will get there one day, maybe within the next 5 years or so (optimistic)…
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>--Abeer<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<div>
<div style='border:none;border-top:solid #B5C4DF 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>From:</span></b><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'> Salman Al-Mannai
[mailto:SMANNAI@qtel.com.qa] <br>
<b>Sent:</b> Tuesday, July 31, 2007 3:39 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> Abeer Kamal; Fahad AlShirawi; Timo Liuska; menog@menog.net<br>
<b>Cc:</b> Kais Al-Essa<br>
<b>Subject:</b> RE: [menog] RE: [ncc-regional-middle-east] Peering<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>Hello Everyone,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>May be I’m entering this discussion late, but to answer
Kais question on ‘peering activities among the GCC’?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoListParagraph style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><span
style='mso-list:Ignore'>-<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></span></span><![endif]><span dir=LTR></span><span style='font-size:
11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Yes, there was an
attempt to progress this particular project under the umbrella of the GCC council,
results; even though modest, but encouraging. Initially Qtel (Qatar) and
Etisalat (UAE) then Bahrain-UAE and so on, however, don’t know if anyone
has peered with Saudi Arabia as part of the scope.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoListParagraph style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><span
style='mso-list:Ignore'>-<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></span></span><![endif]><span dir=LTR></span><span style='font-size:
11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>The initial proposal,
as put together by Saleem (hope he is on this mailing list) suggested two
options: Centralized Model and Distributed or Bilateral, the above was
according to the later.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoListParagraph style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><span
style='mso-list:Ignore'>-<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></span></span><![endif]><span dir=LTR></span><span style='font-size:
11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>On the centralized
model, the obvious locations for an IX are: Dubai-UAE and Jeddah-KSA
primarily due to the global FO availability.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>On the other parts of the discussion:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>Unless enough contents are exchanged, the peering (via an IX
– preferably) will not be cost effective, where I feel efforts will
have to be exerted in order to attract major contents providers to be around, I
know for sure some are already looking for an opportunity to mirror their
contents in the region. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>One more note; Abeers announcement is a great one, thank you
Abeer, this is in-line with one of the proposals that was put forward during
Menog-1, whereby not just one but multiple exchange points are set-up which
jointly form a middle-east wide Internet Backbone.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>Regards<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<div>
<div style='border:none;border-top:solid #B5C4DF 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>From:</span></b><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>
menog-bounces@menog.net [mailto:menog-bounces@menog.net] <b>On Behalf Of </b>Abeer
Kamal<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Tuesday, July 31, 2007 1:18 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> 'Fahad AlShirawi'; 'Timo Liuska'; menog@menog.net<br>
<b>Cc:</b> 'Kais Al-Essa'<br>
<b>Subject:</b> RE: [menog] RE: [ncc-regional-middle-east] Peering<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>HI All, <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>Just a quick note, GPX Global systems Inc – Egypt
headquarters had already launched its Middle East Internet eXchange point in
Cairo Egypt. At the moment we are contemplating establishing another IXP in a
gulf country. Still, we are in the process of gathering country information,
however, if things go according to plan, we should be able to establish, deploy
and become operational within in the 18 months. We have all the local ISPs in
Egypt already present in our facility, and are perusing peering agreements with
MENA ISPs. I will keep you all posted on how things develop. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>On another note, it was great to have met all you guys in MENOG
1 and looking forward to our second meeting in Qatar!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span lang=EN-GB
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Regards,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><b><span lang=EN-GB
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Abeer
Kamal</span></b><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'> | </span><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:
"Arial","sans-serif";color:#595959'>Business Development & Marketing
Manager<br>
</span><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";
color:#595959'>GPX Egypt Ltd.| Tel (+202) 690-7490/91 | Fax (+202) 690-7493 |
Mobile (+2012) 4244982<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:8.0pt;mso-line-height-rule:exactly;
text-autospace:none'><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";
color:#7F7F7F'>_______________________________________________________________________ <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span lang=EN-GB
style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#595959'>2 Al
Shahid Ismail Fahmy - 5th Floor, Aprt# 11 - Almaza, Heliopolis 11361 - Cairo,
Egypt<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><u><span lang=EN-GB
style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>www.gpx.ie
<o:p></o:p></span></u></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span lang=EN-GB
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify;text-autospace:none'><b><span
lang=EN-GB style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:red'>IMPORTANT:
The information transmitted is intended only for the person or entity to which
it is addressed and may contain confidential and/or privileged material, any
retransmission, dissemination, distribution, or reproduction is strictly
forbidden without the prior written consent of the sender. If you are not the
intended recipient of this message you are hereby notified that any use,
retransmission, dissemination, reproduction, distribution, or any other action
taken in reliance upon this message is prohibited. If you received this in
error please contact the sender and delete the material from any computer</span></b><span
lang=EN-GB style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:red'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:.5in'><span style='font-size:9.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:red'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<div>
<div style='border:none;border-top:solid #B5C4DF 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>From:</span></b><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>
menog-bounces@menog.net [mailto:menog-bounces@menog.net] <b>On Behalf Of </b>Fahad
AlShirawi<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Tuesday, July 31, 2007 12:47 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> 'Timo Liuska'; menog@menog.net<br>
<b>Cc:</b> 'Kais Al-Essa'<br>
<b>Subject:</b> [menog] RE: [ncc-regional-middle-east] Peering<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>Ah! I should have read on…. Okay this is interesting and I
didn’t know about it. What exactly is STC doing with MEIX other than
selling transit to GCC countries and Saudi ISPs? By default once they have GCC
countries, they have them peered anyway.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>Also, that’s the one in partnership with Teleglobe right?
How come they don’t have enough capacity? In what regards? STC is trying
to offload capacity so that’s strange.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>Fahad.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<div>
<div style='border:none;border-top:solid #B5C4DF 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>From:</span></b><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>
ncc-regional-middle-east-admin@ripe.net
[mailto:ncc-regional-middle-east-admin@ripe.net] <b>On Behalf Of </b>Timo
Liuska<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Tuesday, July 31, 2007 11:36 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> ncc-regional-middle-east@ripe.net<br>
<b>Cc:</b> Kais Al-Essa; Osama Dosary ((dosary))<br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: [ncc-regional-middle-east] Peering<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Hi again,<o:p></o:p></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal>My answer wasn't particularly clear, thanks for correcting
Mr. Osama. My earlier response was about the plans for national IX here in KSA.
STC has indeed the MEIX -project, but at least so far they haven't been able to
provide enough capacity there to make it useful, so at least ISU is not peering
over that link currently at all. <o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal>Best regards,<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal>Timo<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";
color:black'>-- <o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";
color:black'>Timo Liuska <<a href="mailto:tic@isu.net.sa">tic@isu.net.sa</a>><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";
color:black'>Senior Network Consultant, Nixu Middle East FZ-LLC<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";
color:black'>Network Operations Center / Internet Services Unit<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span class=apple-style-span><b><span style='font-size:9.0pt;
font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>King Abdulaziz City for
Science & Technology</span></b></span><span style='font-size:9.0pt;
font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal>On Jul 31, 2007, at 11:15 , Osama Dosary ((dosary)) wrote:<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";
color:blue'>Hello,</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";
color:blue'>I used to work in the Internet arm of STC, and as far as I know STC
doesn't have any plans to peer with gulf ISPs. They have already setup what
they call "Saudi Internet Exchange", but they are really selling
transit traffic to the middle-east. I believe that most of the gulf is now
connected. </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";
color:blue'>With regards to CITC, their plans don't include Gulf peering,
especially when that means that the content control for Saudi Arabia will be
bypassed.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";
color:blue'>Since the ISU function (as an International Gateway for Saudi)
has now been integrated into STC, the doors are now open for the two new
competitors to do International peering (ITC and Bayanat,) so they could
potentially peer with the gulf.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";
color:blue'>Does that answer your question?</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><em><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>Regards,</span></b></em><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><em><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>Osama
I. Al-Dosary</span></b></em><o:p></o:p></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<blockquote style='border:none;border-left:solid blue 1.5pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 4.0pt;
margin-left:3.75pt;margin-top:5.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:5.0pt'>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'>
<hr size=2 width="100%" align=center>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'> ncc-regional-middle-east-admin@ripe.net [<a
href="mailto:ncc-regional-middle-east-admin@ripe.net">mailto:ncc-regional-middle-east-admin@ripe.net</a>]
<b>On Behalf Of </b>Timo Liuska<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Tuesday, July 31, 2007 9:14 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> <a href="mailto:ncc-regional-middle-east@ripe.net">ncc-regional-middle-east@ripe.net</a><br>
<b>Cc:</b> Kais Al-Essa<br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: [ncc-regional-middle-east] Peering</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Hi, <o:p></o:p></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal>There has been indeed discussions about building a local
internet exchange ever since the local ISP's could select where to get their
international capacity (around last Ramadan). Before that, KACST/ISU was effectively
acting as an internet exchange in Riyadh and Jeddah. As far as I know, CITC is
one of the key parties in the decision process who is going to build it and
when. So far I haven't seen any final decisions about it, but hopefully they'll
get the decision done quickly.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal>Best regards,<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal>Timo<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";
color:black'>-- <o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";
color:black'>Timo Liuska <<a href="mailto:tic@isu.net.sa">tic@isu.net.sa</a>><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";
color:black'>Senior Network Consultant, Nixu Middle East FZ-LLC<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";
color:black'>Network Operations Center / Internet Services Unit<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span class=apple-style-span><b><span style='font-size:9.0pt;
font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>King Abdulaziz City for
Science & Technology</span></b></span><span style='font-size:9.0pt;
font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";
color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal>On Jul 26, 2007, at 21:26 , Kais Al-Essa wrote:<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoPlainText><a name="_MailEndCompose"><span class=apple-style-span><span
style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Consolas;color:black'>Hello all,</span></span></a><span
style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Consolas;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><span class=apple-style-span><span style='font-size:10.5pt;
font-family:Consolas;color:black'>It was interesting to attend the 1st MENOG
meeting in Bahrain. I'm looking forward to such annual meetings.</span></span><span
style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Consolas;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><span class=apple-style-span><span style='font-size:10.5pt;
font-family:Consolas;color:black'>One of the interesting topics for me as an
ISP Technical Manager is Peering Points.</span></span><span style='font-size:
10.5pt;font-family:Consolas;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><span class=apple-style-span><span style='font-size:10.5pt;
font-family:Consolas;color:black'>During the meeting, I didn't see any single
initiative about a peering project in the Gulf. However, I've heared about some
attempts or projects, but was unable to get anything solid.</span></span><span
style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Consolas;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><span class=apple-style-span><span style='font-size:10.5pt;
font-family:Consolas;color:black'>Therefore, I'm sending this e-mail to the
group in order to enquire if anyone knows for sure about any peering activities
between Gulf Countries for Internet traffic and if there is anything going on
with Saudi Arabia in particular. I personally heared that STC is working on
something soon, but again, nothing was solid and I was unable to obtain clear
information.</span></span><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Consolas;
color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><span class=apple-style-span><span style='font-size:10.5pt;
font-family:Consolas;color:black'>Regards..</span></span><span
style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Consolas;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><span class=apple-style-span><span style='font-size:10.5pt;
font-family:Consolas;color:black'>Kais Al-Essa, Founder and Operations &
Technical Services Manager</span></span><span style='font-size:10.5pt;
font-family:Consolas;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><span class=apple-style-span><span style='font-size:10.5pt;
font-family:Consolas;color:black'>Sahara Net</span></span><span
style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Consolas;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span
class=apple-style-span><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:black'>_______________________________________________________________________</span></span><span
style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><a
href="http://www.sahara.com/"><span style='color:windowtext;text-decoration:
none'><image001.jpg></span></a></span><span class=MsoHyperlink><span
style='color:windowtext;text-decoration:none'><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";
color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";
color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
</div>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
</div>
</blockquote>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
</div>
</div>
</body>
</html>