According to an ITU report entitled, ITU and Its Activities Related to Internet Protocol (IP) Networks (Version 1.1, April 2004), Recommendation D.50 concerns Internet traffic exchange (sometimes called "peering" or transit arrangements) between Internet service providers (ISPs) and Internet backbone providers. These arrangements are needed "in order for the ISPs to obtain global Internet connectivity for users of the Internet. This system works well in most industrialized countries, but for developing countries the issue of access to the Internet remains costly and is often suffering from lack of bandwidth and capacity."

Because communications over Internet Protocol (IP)-based networks are becoming increasingly important for a country's economy, rates for international Internet traffic exchange can affect a country's ability to participate in the networked world.