Re: Non-profit IX vs. neutral for-profit IX

[Tim Raphael <raphael.timothy () gmail com>]

The other point to consider is that a NFP can justify more locations and offer services (such as extended reach) that 
don’t have the same profit margins or ROI as for-profits.
This often leads to greater value to those with smaller networks and fewer customers allowing them to grow and expand 
without increased aggregation or transit costs. This in-turn leads to a richer array of providers and chips away at the 
monopolies in niche markets.

The NFP IXP I work for focuses on providing value to the broader community and the Internet as a whole - especially 
somewhere like Australia which has unique constraints.

Additionally, “Neutral” and For-Profit doesn’t always compute in my mind, there will always be commercial alliances 
that lead to not-total neutrality.
When a NFP is owned by it’s members there has to be 100% transparency in organisational decisions around member funds 
and resources which ensures accountability reliability.

- Tim


> On 21 Dec 2018, at 3:58 am, Brielle Bruns <bruns () 2mbit com> wrote:
>
> On 12/20/2018 12:51 PM, Aaron wrote:
> > Probably price.  Also perception of value.  If you're a for profit enterprise then they're paying for 
> > interconnection plus your bump.  If you're non-profit the perception is that there is a larger value because there's 
> > no bump.  Whether that's true or not, who knows but that's the perception I've heard.
>
> Depending on the size of the non-profit, I'd almost compare it to how the hospitals are here in Boise.
>
> The non-profits are oversized, monopolistic, price gouging, etc.  Their care can be pretty meh, esp since they bought 
> up all the little independent clinics (yay, ER pricing for a basic family clinic visit).
>
> The for-profit smaller clinics and hospitals run a pretty tight ship, better value for their money, service is very 
> good, and compete with one another for who has the best service.
>
> People think they are getting 'better' because they are going to a place that is supposed to be run to benefit people 
> over profit, but alas, you'd be very very wrong.
> -- 
> Brielle Bruns
> The Summit Open Source Development Group
> http://www.sosdg.org    /     http://www.ahbl.org