Internet backbone

(communications, networking)

High-speed networks that carry Internet traffic.

These communications networks are provided by companies such as AT&T, GTE, IBM, MCI, Netcom, Sprint, UUNET and consist of high-speed links in the T1, T3, OC1 and OC3 ranges. The backbones carry Internet traffic around the world and meet at Network Access Points (NAPs).

Internet Service Providers (ISPs) connect either directly to a backbone, or they connect to a larger ISP with a connection to a backbone.

The topology of the "backbone" and its interconnections may once have resembled a spine with ribs connected along its length but is now almost certainly more like a fishing net wrapped around the world with many circular paths.

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Internet backbone

A communications network managed by a commercial company that provides the primary high-speed links across a country or region. Smaller ISPs are either connected directly to these backbones or to a larger regional ISP that is connected to one. The backbones themselves are interconnected at various access points called "NAPs." Major backbone providers worldwide include Level 3 Communications, NTT, GTT, Tata Communications, Telia Carrier, CenturyLink, AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile. See NAP.

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References in periodicals archive

Recognize the facts described; share the cost of international Internet backbone between the U.S.

THE INTERNET IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES

Hurricane Electric operates a vast global Internet backbone and provides competitively priced IP transit, enabling organizations to improve fault tolerance, load balancing and congestion management, enabling increased throughput and reduced latency.

Partnership will provide greater reach, flexibility for Hurricane Electric's global IP transit

GBS to utilize O3bs low-latency network to augment broadband and WiMax services O3b Networks Limited (O3b), the developer of a new fibre quality, global Internet backbone, announced today that Global Broadband Solution (GBS) has signed a multi-year, multi-million dollar contract for O3b Networks Quick Start service.

Global Broadband Solution, a Major ISP in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Nationwide Wireless Operator Signs Multi-Million Dollar Contract

GTT "has been rolling up Internet backbone companies in an effort to enhance its scale and presence in the industry, but it has come at a cost they can no longer afford," Khorsand tells investors in a research note.

BWS starts GTT Communications with Sell rating, $5 price target

Rio noted his group expects to see savings of as much as P57 billion from building the said Internet backbone.

DICT sees P57-billion savings from national broadband network

The telco will invest the funds in its mobile network and fibre, mainly to increase the capacity of its internet backbone.

Paltel to invest $70-80 million in in 2012

Brocade[R] have announced that Hurricane Electric, an Internet backbone and colocation provider, has future-readied its business to support massive bandwidth demands and device growth by implementing Brocade Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) switches and routers into its geographically distributed network.

Hurricane electric implements Brocade network

O3b Networks is the developer of a new fiber-quality, satellite-based global internet backbone for Telecommunications Operators and Internet Service Providers serving the emerging markets.

EoACAyO3b Networks Limited raises total funding of US$1.2 billion