Subject: n-1-4-040.65 European Commercial IP networks: Connecting IP networks in the UK by Peter Dawe* Prior to 1992, IP connectivity in the UK was almost non-existant, The research and Acedemic community (JANET) in the UK were using 'Coloured book' protocols. UKnet the only IP provider was charging 20,000 pounds p.a. just to connect. However this has all changed. During 1992, the acedemic community have accepted IP, offering the JIPS service. Also a new venture - PIPEX has entered the commecial market reducing the cost of connection and providing a high availability service. Since going live in April 1992, PIPEX has connected nearly 50 organisations to the world-wide IP network. Additional companies are joining at the rate of 10 per month. Many are using the service for their international data traffic, using PIPEX partners in Scandanavia the US and elsewhere. PIPEX is currently offering connection to the network via either asynchronous dial-up over the PSTN or dedicated leased line access. During 1993 PIPEX is planning to offer connection using ISDN and X.25 and possibly Frame Relay. It will also open additional backbone nodes throughout the UK. One of the important aspects of the Internet is the need for full connectivity between providers. To this end PIPEX, JANET and UKnet are all connected within the UK. With PIPEX contributing the cost of the lines to JANET and UKnet. The other important partnership in the EBONE initiative. In 1993, JANET/JIPS and PIPEX will be able to connect to the whole of the European community via this network. For those with a limited budget, several companies have used the PIPEX network to offer low cost access to the Internet. The IBM PC User group and Demon Systems both offer dial-up access for the single computer site, with email and news services also provided. Compulink also know in the UK as CIX, are also offering limited Ineternet access to their 7,000+ subscribers. Others low end providers are expected. Through JIPS, PIPEX and other providers there are now nearly 10,000 sites in the UK able to access the Internet. All this has happened in the last 12 months! We are looking forward to 1993 when perhap connection to the Internet will be a ubiquitous as the FAX! * Peter Dawe, Joint Managing Director Unipalm Limited, PIPEX, XTECH Cambridge, England