Cogent Communications

Cogent Communications is a multinational internet service provider based in the United States. Cogent's primary services consist of Internet access and data transport, offered on a fiber optic, IP data-only network, along with colocation in data centers. Although Cogent is not a Tier 1 ISP by definition, due to lack of complete IPv6 connectivity, the company still advertises itself a Tier 1 ISP. There has been debate among networking professionals as to whether or not this amounts to false advertising. Acquisition history Cogent was founded in 1999 at the peak of the industry's growth and was funded by angel investors including members of Keiretsu Forum. In three years, Cogent acquired 13 other failing carriers, purchasing $14 billion in capital for $60 million, including $4 billion worth of Property, Plant and Equipment. September 2001 – Acquires the assets of NetRail February 2002 – Acquires Allied Riser April 2002 – Acquires Building Access Agreements from OnSite Access April 2002 – Acquires Major US Assets of PSINet September 2002 – Acquires Major Assets of FiberCity Networks February 2003 – Acquires Fiber Network Solutions May 2003 – Acquires Assets of Applied Theory January 2004 – Acquires LambdaNet France & Spain March 2004 – Acquires Fiber Network and Equipment in Germany Out of Former Carrier1 Assets September 2004 – Acquires Global Access October 2004 – Acquires Aleron Broadband December 2004 – Acquires NTT/Verio Dedicated Access Business in U.S. In September, 2022, it was announced that Cogent was buying the Sprint Corporation wireline business from T-Mobile for $1.00, assuming some liabilities. Peering disputes Cogent has been controversial in the ISP market for low bandwidth pricing and its public disputes over peering with AOL (2003), Level 3 Communications (2005), France Telecom (2006), Limelight Networks (2007), Telia Carrier (March 2008), and Sprint Nextel (October 2008).