Our provider is one of few, if any, small market enterprise (SME) web hosting companies to run long-haul, cross country circuits to public Network Access Points (NAP). Typically, this network strategy has been executed only by the large network carriers (Exodus Communications, Verio, etc.) due to the high cost and peering requirements. However, our provider has implemented this strategy in order to provide a higher Quality of Service to our customers, while reducing our long-term bandwidth expenses.

Peering Typically Provides a Higher Quality of Service
Peering versus transit service typically is a higher quality of service because peering usually requires less hops between the data center (our provider) and the destination (the visitors to your websites). With peering, many network providers come together at public NAPs. The larger NAPs are in large cities, such as Chicago, New York, San Jose, Vienna, etc. The network providers use long-haul circuits consisting of fiber optics, to get their presence established at the NAP, as well as to transport the traffic to and from their location.

Our provider is Committed to a Long-Term Network Peering Strategy
Running long-haul circuits are more expensive than just purchasing transit, and peering also requires "teaming up" with the other network providers to "share traffic" that is destined for each other's network. Think of the NAP as the large intersections of the Internet, where the many "Information Superhighways" interconnect, our provider being one of them. Currently, our provider peers with 43 other network providers, and are committed to expanding long-haul peering relationships. We believe this strategy will provide a higher Quality of Service to our customers over the long-run as well.

Our provider currently maintains a presence at the Chicago AADS NAP. Universal Access is the provider of all their long-haul circuits. Future plans include two DS-3s to MAE-EAST II in Vienna, Virginia and San Jose, California.