Interconnection

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Interconnection ( IC ) (to German: interconnection ) interconnection referred several separate networks . This is especially applied to the interconnection of public telephone networks, in which interconnection fees (IC fees) are charged. The term is also used for national power grids in North America in the area of ​​the North American Electric Reliability Corporation , which are characterized by the amalgamation of several larger, mutually asynchronous network networks by means of interconnections.

Communication technology

The term interconnection is generally used in connection networks in which the term connection is already familiar. It has long been present in the higher-level OSI model , pronounced Open Systems Interconnection , which describes the connection of open systems through interconnection via a network .

In parlance, interconnection does not usually mean the simple interconnection of individual computers and terminals - "network" and "connection" are common for this - but rather the interconnection of larger networks and multi-part overall systems.

This interconnection of independent networks takes place regularly via coupling stations, which as a single system have a connection to both networks. The term interconnect will then be applied to the function of this coupling station, the term interconnection to the entirety of the switched connections, with an overlap with the OSI term.

When connecting networks in the Internet, especially the interconnection of the transport networks of larger providers , one speaks more specifically of network peering . Instead of interconnection fees, one speaks here of peering fees, which, however, are usually not applicable and are only charged when passing through a third provider.

Telephone networks

Public telephone networks as well as national state telephone networks emerged, some of which were set up according to very different rules. Within the national telephone network, the recording of charges is clear; when interconnection in an international context, regulations have been necessary as to how transmission charges are charged. Instead charges for "Connections" ( Engl. Connection), another term was needed.

Over time, the term interconnection charges for this internal connection has spread internationally . This was adopted when the national telephone networks were opened to competition at the end of the 20th century. The settlement of the charges for the interconnection of the competing telephone networks became more complex.

The term IC fees is of particular importance if it is not used as a pure reimbursement of costs, but is part of the profit orientation of privatized companies. This can occur, for example, with Bahamas connections that have large call centers and find their income from the surplus of the fee accounting without having to use special 0190 fee accounting.

In the field of mobile communications , the private telephone networks have used IC charges to bind customer groups more closely to the network operator. The connection charges within the telephone network are cheaper than connections to competing cellular networks, even though these cover the same territorial area. The IC fees in mobile communications can therefore be the target of decrees issued by the competition authorities .