When considering a Service Provider (SP), do you think about their peering capabilities? Many might overlook this component of an SP’s service or assume all have the same level of peering connections. However, the reality is that the coverage and quality of peering can vary between SPs, and you could be missing out on the value that peering can bring to your network.
Peering is a critical and highly valuable networking feature that enables SPs to deliver high-performance, low-latency connectivity to businesses. As more workloads move to the cloud, robust and predictable connectivity becomes crucial. High-density, resilient peering with multiple Cloud Service Providers (CSPs), Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) providers, conferencing services, and other ISPs ensures that customers are always "one hop away" from connecting to a service provider's network.
The importance of peering
At the core of a business's value delivery chain lies the need for reliable access to data, applications, and global partners. Peering is essential in achieving this, as it significantly reduces latency and boosts network performance. This leads to faster, smoother data transit and ultimately enhances the user experience for your end customers.
According to Equinix's Global Interconnection Index (GXI) report, enterprise industries are projected to consume 43% of interconnection bandwidth, surpassing service providers. Additionally, they are forecasted to grow global interconnection bandwidth at a 40% five-year CAGR, reaching 27,762 Tbps, equivalent to 110 zettabytes of data exchanged annually. This underscores the critical role of peering in handling the immense data demands of today’s digital economy.
What is peering?
Peering is the voluntary interconnection between different SPs and their networks. By exchanging network traffic directly, SPs facilitate the seamless flow of data between their users. This direct interconnection results in shorter routing paths, lower latency, and reduced chances of network congestion, ultimately leading to better user experiences and uninterrupted connectivity.
Pitfalls of insufficient peering
Insufficient peering can lead to longer routing paths, increased latency, and a higher likelihood of network congestion, which can degrade the user experience and cause interruptions in connectivity. Businesses might face slower data transfer speeds, affecting their operations and customer satisfaction.
Global Fabric, boosts your connection to the cloud ecosystem
Our new Network-as-a-Service (NaaS) platform, Global Fabric has established peering with numerous organisations that our customers use daily. This includes hyperscalers like AWS, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud, Oracle Cloud, cloud security services, content delivery networks, business applications, SD-WAN providers, and conferencing services. With a physical presence in approximately 150 locations globally, overlapping with the presence of cloud nodes, content providers, IXPs, and other ISPs, Global Fabric offers unmatched performance to customers using public clouds or consuming various SaaS applications.
Benefits of Global Fabric
- Performance and reliability
Global Fabric architecture is fully resilient, with at least two points-of-presence (PoPs) in given metro, ensuring continuous service even in case of a PoP failure.
- Scalability and flexibility
As businesses grow, Global Fabric peering allows for scalable network capacity, adapting to changing traffic patterns and optimising routing paths for optimal performance.
- Enhanced user experience
Shorter routing paths and lower latency ensure seamless delivery of bandwidth-intensive applications, such as video conferencing, cloud services, and data analytics.
- Cost-efficiency
By peering directly with other networks, we reduce the need to transit through expensive upstream providers, offering competitive pricing models for B2B customers.
To summarise, peering plays a pivotal role in elevating connectivity experiences for businesses. By embracing robust peering practices, Global Fabric delivers high-end internet services that enhance performance, reliability, cost-efficiency, and scalability. This enables businesses to thrive in today's digital economy.
