What if you assume a simplified, one-directional internet model? Using your simplified version it would be Google->GCom->AT&T->UCom->User. Google pays GCom for sending information across GCom's network. GCom pays AT&T for sending information across AT&T's network. Now does AT&T pay UCom even though the information reaches it's destination there? If AT&T does pay UCom, then didn't AT&T transmit the data for free?
Now, if AT&T doesn't have to pay UCom, as the destination is on UCom's network, then everyone gets paid once and everyone should be happy (if they're not greedy little monkeys that is).
Slashdot Mirror
What if you assume a simplified, one-directional internet model? Using your simplified version it would be Google->GCom->AT&T->UCom->User. Google pays GCom for sending information across GCom's network. GCom pays AT&T for sending information across AT&T's network. Now does AT&T pay UCom even though the information reaches it's destination there? If AT&T does pay UCom, then didn't AT&T transmit the data for free? Now, if AT&T doesn't have to pay UCom, as the destination is on UCom's network, then everyone gets paid once and everyone should be happy (if they're not greedy little monkeys that is).