The "ISP Connection Requirements" Issue
This issue concerns the connection of Consume nodes to the Internet via Internet Service Providers (ISPs). Central to the issue is the agreement between a "user" and an "ISP" [often called "Terms and Conditions" (T&Cs) or "Acceptable Use Policy" (AUP)] that the user signs before being given access to the Internet. The conditions usually state restrictions on who may use the connection as well as what content may be hosted or transmitted (to prevent abusive material) and volumes of traffic, e.g. to prevent "spamming". The Terms are usually phrased to ensure personal accountability.
The ISP usually reserves the right to withdraw the service from those who abuse it.

A Consume node that is connected may want other nodes to be able to share their connection. This may conflict with the ISPs terms.

Resolution of the Issue:
There has been much discussion by the Consume mailing lists (http://www.consume.net/mailing_lists.html) about this.

LanDclub currently support the view that each member must be accountable and must ensure that their ISP's terms allow it, (or agree special terms with their ISP,) before giving other nodes indirect Internet access.
This decision is to be kept under review and is subject to change in the light of:
- alternative statements being made by Consume
- a general agreement being reached by members of LanDclub
- any other events that cast doubt on the statement on ISP connection
- clarifications or information that may have been overlooked.

Remember that all nodes must also sign the "Consume Peering Agreement" which (may) cover the same issues.

To assist members selection of ISP in this respect, it is intended to provide a table summarising the relevant current ISP connection terms (TBD see below).

The following correspondence, from the Consume website, is centred on ADSL connections, but the same general principles apply to all connections to ISPs.

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	RELEVANT CORRESPONDENCE

On Wed, Jan 10, 2001 at 02:55:14PM -0800, Kitchin, Duncan wrote:

> maybe I'm missing something here, but I haven't seen anybody answer one of
> the earlier questions on this thread, specifically that ADSL T&Cs won't
> permit the subscribers to share their bandwidth with other users. I'm
> guessing here - I haven't seen BT's T&Cs - but certainly any broadband
> provider around here includes such a clause. It's somewhat inevitable given
> the 20:1 or 50:1 contention ratios at the CO that have been referenced
> elsewhere.
> Has anybody discussed this with BT? Are there any other broadband service
> providers under consideration? (subsidiary question - are there any?).

In reply

Steve Kennedy wrote:
Currently most DSL in the Uk is resold off BT through ISPs etc.

It's up to the ISPs to do their T&C's (which of course are piggy
backed off BT's T&C's).

I haven't seen many, however I'd guess the main issue actually
isn't bandwidth (though like "free" Internet services, there probably
is a clause re detriment to other users - which can loosely
describe using too much bandwidth), the main issue is accountability
of users.

RIPE regulations I believe mean each IP address must be accountable
to someone.

The RIP Act probably has something to say too.
Steve
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Further comments on this issue are welcome. Send them to the Consume mailing lists after checking the archives on this topic.

Local Contact/Acting Co-ordinator: Paul Clarke

9 Mar 01