Internet2 has announced the availability of a new Commercial Peering service for its members. The service provides high-speed, carrier neutral access to high-bandwidth applications like high-definition video, and interactive networking applications, among others. The CP service offers nearly 60,000 routes, which represents about one-third of the global routing table.

Any Internet2 network connector can participate in the CP service. There is no additional cost for the service, since it is offered as part of the member relationship. Currently, Northern Crossroads, Indiana GigaPoP, University of Texas - Austin, Oregon GigaPoP, OARnet, the Great Plains Network, University of Louisville, and the University of Iowa and Merit Network, both through CIC.

The impact of the CP service varies by organization, but participating organizations normally see a reduction in the use of their commodity Internet bandwidth consumption of 30 percent or more. Internet2 has established BGP communities within the CP service, which allow connectors to control the organizations with which they peer. The CP service does not have any effect on other peering relationship an organization may have.

Organizations that are already connected to Internet2 can request access to the CP service through the Internet2 NOC.