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<div class=Section1>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>Kais,<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 know your point. Which is why I said Saudi involvement is
critical to success. However, look at costs. I can give you IP Transit in
Bahrain TODAY with so little capacity in the Middle East at a FRACTION of what
you pay in Saudi. In fact, if any of you ISPs run a hosting business, it’s more
cost effective for you to come host your clients at our data center and buy
IPTransit from us since we are directly peered with STC than it is for you to
host in Saudi. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'><br>
For Brokers this won’t work but for the rest… Now put a proper exchange here
and get more international capacity. More submarine cables, more satellite transponders,
and more terrestrial connectivity… And trust me, the end result would be more
peering in 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=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>People don’t currently peer because of the costs of peering.
They are just too high (although in the case of STC they don’t normally peer
because they don’t care. You are right, the IP usage in Saudi is bigger than
the rest of the GCC put together).<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'><br>
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>
<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"'> Kais Al-Essa
[mailto:operations@sahara.com.sa] <br>
<b>Sent:</b> Tuesday, July 31, 2007 12:46 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> 'Fahad AlShirawi'; menog@menog.net; tic@isu.net.sa<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><a name="_MailEndCompose"><span style='font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Fahad,</span></a><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'>My issue is to have an Exchange for the Gulf states. Whether its
in Saudi or Bahrain, it really does not make a big difference for us as
benefiting ISPs.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>However, its more logical from technical point of view to have
it in Saudi due to the highest amount of international bandwidth and users is
actually today in Saudi Arabia. As you know, Saudi Arabia's Internet traffic
exceeds all of the Gulf countries combined !!<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'>From another point, you are also right, Saudi Arabia is more
restrictive in nature. Therefore, both points will have to be weighed and all
parties must cooperate and coordinate to reach a solution.<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>
<div>
<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><a href="http://www.sahara.com/"><span style='font-size:
11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D;text-decoration:none'><img
border=0 width=576 height=65 id="Picture_x0020_1"
src="cid:image001.jpg@01C7D372.196B3FA0" alt=kais></span></a><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<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"'> Fahad AlShirawi
[mailto:fahad@2connectbahrain.com] <br>
<b>Sent:</b> Tuesday, July 31, 2007 12:36 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> menog@menog.net; tic@isu.net.sa<br>
<b>Cc:</b> 'Kais Al-Essa'<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><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>Personally, I would not favor Saudi for a regional exchange. Too
many restrictions and not enough competition to derive the way forward. Bahrain
(aside from it being my country) would be a natural choice I think. Though
Saudi involvement would be key to success for the whole 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'>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>
<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 9:14 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> ncc-regional-middle-east@ripe.net<br>
<b>Cc:</b> Kais Al-Essa<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,<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><span class=apple-style-span><span style='font-size:10.5pt;
font-family:Consolas;color:black'>Hello all,</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'> </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'>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'> </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'> </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'> </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'> </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:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:black'>_______________________________________________________________________</span></span><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;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>
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<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
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