SIMPLIFY YOUR MULTI-SITE NETWORK

Ah, the joys of a rural broadband connection. Where your live stream is more “still-life”, and you’re convinced that buffering circle is just a quirky decoration YouTube decided to adopt. What if I told you, dear regional broadband providers, that there’s a magical solution to many of these woes? One that isn’t whispered about nearly enough: Internet Exchanges (IX). Today, we'll speed-date IXs by diving into how to connect with them, why you should consider it, and your options. How to connect to Internet exchanges Now, before you start searching for an “IX hookup app,” here’s how the real connection goes down: Choose an IX: Not all internet exchanges are created equal. Different IXPs will have various connection policies, costs, and partners. Start with a local or regional IX as they will most likely benefit your immediate user base. Get the Hardware: Connection to an IX usually, but not always involves routers and switches. Don’t skimp here; consider it an investment, or look at solutions that don’t require hardware (check out Connect-IX). Physical Link-Up: Once you have your equipment, you must establish a physical link to the IXP. This might involve leasing a line or installing a fiber link. Configuration: With the physical link established, the next step is to configure your routers to talk with the IXP. Why connect to internet exchanges? Obviously, because it's like going to the best party in town – the one where all the important folks are. You meet peers, form direct relationships, and most importantly, bypass many middlemen that slow down your traffic and increase the cost of data transfers. Think of it as taking a direct flight instead of those pesky three-stop ones, while still paying less. The advantages for a broadband provider IXs can benefit many different types of businesses, but several benefits are especially valuable to regional/rural broadband providers: Speed: Direct peering means faster data transfer rates, and who doesn’t want that? Cost-Effectiveness: By reducing the number of ISPs you go through, you can save on transit costs. Redundancy: If one path fails, there’s always another. Multiple peers can lead to a more resilient network. Local Content: Many local and national content providers/services might be directly connected to the same IX, improving the user experience for your clients. Did somebody say savings? On average, the industry reports a potential cost savings of 20-60% on overall bandwidth expenses for ISPs connected to an IX. Let's paint a hypothetical: say your current bandwidth costs are $10,000 monthly. With a 30% saving (a conservative estimate), you're saving a whopping $3,000 monthly! That's $36,000 annually. Imagine the upgrades and investments you can make with those savings. And don't get me started on the potential for customer satisfaction and growth. Alternatives to Internet Exchanges Now, while IXs sound dreamy, sometimes there’s a need for alternatives, especially if an IXP isn’t within feasible reach. Direct Peering: Establishing direct connections with large content providers or ISPs, but this usually makes sense only for sizable ISPs. Transit Providers: These are the go-between guys, helping you connect to the global internet. They’re a must-have but can be pricier than an IXP connection. VPN Over the Internet: For those feeling extra savvy, you can establish VPN connections over the current internet connection to another location that's better connected. So, Why Consider the Alternatives? While IXs are wonderful, if your main user base frequently accesses content overseas, direct peering with an international content provider might make more sense. Additionally, not all areas will have an IXP within reasonable reach, making transit providers or VPN solutions more feasible. Wrapping things up… Rural doesn’t mean “left behind” in the digital age. With solutions like internet exchanges, the playing field is leveling. Every regional broadband provider has the opportunity to offer stellar service while pocketing some savings. If the dance of data has you dizzy or you’re contemplating which path is right for you, let us help! At Capcon Networks, we've guided many broadband providers in their dance with digital connectivity. Let’s waltz together toward a brighter, buffer-free future. Give us a spin!