The Japan Internet Exchange (JPIX) has been providing IX service since November 1997 as a commercial IX point in Tokyo. The number of customers and the traffic have been growing steadily, and the current status shows 36 connections with 650Mbps at its peak.

Japan's 24-hour Internet traffic pattern is very unique: the traffic peak exists at midnight and the bottom is at eight in the morning. This reflects the time period in which NTT's discount telephone rate plan is in effect.

Regarding peering, agreements are made between customers. Subscription to JPIX does not assure any peering agreement to be made with other customers. Though JPIX does not have any responsibilities for the agreement, it facilitates peering by means of multi-lateral peering arrangements.

As the first provision of the IX facilities is almost completely filled with the existing customer requirements, JPIX is going to introduce another switch in January 2000 to accomodate more customers. The initial switch has FDDI ports and the new switch will be equipped with Gigabit Ethernet and Fast Ethernet ports. In addition, JPIX is planning to introduce another IX in a different location in Tokyo.

We foresee that many more major US ISPs will be connected to JPIX in the coming year in parallel with the launch of new, Japan-US cable networks in mid-2000. Interconnected JPIX switches in multiple locations will meet more diverse requirements, especially from ISPs that request more carrier-neutral environments.