Tier 1 Network Connectivity: Direct Access to Internet Backbone
Connect directly to the internet's core infrastructure through our partnerships with multiple Tier 1 carriers. Tier 1 networks peer with each other on a settlement-free basis, reaching every destination on the internet without purchasing transit from anyone.
Our Tier 1 connectivity is integrated within our comprehensive IP transit services, providing you with direct access to Telia (ARELION), GTT, Cogent, Hurricane Electric, and OpenTransit networks. This direct connection eliminates intermediaries, reduces latency, and ensures optimal routing paths globally.
Built for enterprises, ISPs, content providers, and financial services requiring the highest level of network performance. With fewer hops between source and destination, your traffic reaches its target faster and more reliably. 99.999% uptime backed by SLA.
Tier 1 Network Connectivity
Direct access to Tier 1 internet backbone with settlement-free peering to major carriers worldwide.
What is a Tier 1 Network?
A Tier 1 network (also called a transit-free network) is an Internet Protocol (IP) network that can reach every other network on the internet solely through settlement-free peering agreements. Tier 1 providers do not pay anyone for IP transit.
Key Characteristics
- Global reach without purchasing transit
- Settlement-free peering with all other Tier 1 networks
- Direct connection to internet backbone
- No intermediary networks in routing paths
- Approximately 15 Tier 1 networks globally
- Minimal latency due to direct routing
When you connect to a Tier 1 network, your traffic benefits from direct access to the internet's core routing infrastructure. Your packets traverse fewer autonomous systems (AS), resulting in lower latency, reduced packet loss, and faster throughput.
Tier 1 vs Tier 2 vs Tier 3 Networks
Understanding the internet hierarchy helps you make informed decisions about your connectivity requirements.
| Tier Level | Network Reach | Transit Purchase | Peering Type | Typical Latency | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Global | None (transit-free) | Settlement-free | Ultra-low (direct) | Global CDN, financial trading |
| Tier 2 | Regional + Global | From Tier 1 | Settlement-free + paid | Low (1-2 hops) | Regional ISP, hosting |
| Tier 3 | Local | From Tier 2 | Paid transit | Variable (2+ hops) | Local ISP, small business |
Tier 1 networks sit at the top of the internet hierarchy. They exchange traffic with each other at no cost (settlement-free peering) and reach any destination globally. Tier 2 networks have regional reach but must purchase transit from Tier 1 providers for global connectivity. Tier 3 networks are primarily local access networks purchasing transit from Tier 2 or Tier 1 providers.
Our Tier 1 Partners
We maintain direct relationships with multiple Tier 1 carriers to ensure redundancy, optimal routing, and global reach.
Telia Carrier (ARELION)
AS1299Leading European Tier 1 provider, rebranded as ARELION. Dense fiber network across Scandinavia, Europe, and transatlantic routes.
GTT Communications
AS3257Global Tier 1 network with dense European and North American presence. Known for low-latency routes.
Cogent Communications
AS174Cost-effective Tier 1 provider with extensive US footprint. High-capacity backbone.
Hurricane Electric
AS6939Global Internet backbone with the largest IPv6 network. Extensive peering relationships worldwide.
OpenTransit (Orange)
AS5511Orange's global Tier 1 backbone. Strong European presence with extensive global reach.
Redundancy: Multiple Tier 1 upstreams ensure path diversity and eliminate single points of failure. Traffic automatically fails over to alternative Tier 1 providers in case of network issues.
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Tier 1 Upstreams | 5 direct Tier 1 carriers (Telia/ARELION, GTT, Cogent, Hurricane Electric, OpenTransit) |
| Port Speed | 10 Gbps, 40 Gbps, 100 Gbps |
| Protocol | BGP-4 with full routing table or default route |
| IPv4 | Native support, full BGP table available |
| IPv6 | Native dual-stack, full BGP table available |
| Latency | Sub-5ms Europe, sub-80ms US East Coast, sub-150ms Asia |
| Packet Loss | < 0.1% under normal conditions |
| Jitter | < 1ms within Europe |
| Uptime SLA | 99.999% (5.26 minutes downtime/year) |
| DDoS Protection | Included (up to 10 Gbps, optional higher) |
| Connection Locations | Paris, Lille (on-net), remote peering available |
| Setup Time | 24-72 hours (depending on location) |
| Monitoring | 24/7 NOC with proactive alerts |
| Support | 24/7/365 via ticket, phone, emergency hotline |
Benefits of Tier 1 Connectivity
Global Reach
Access any destination on the internet through direct Tier 1 peering. No intermediary networks, no additional transit purchases required.
Ultra-Low Latency
Fewer autonomous systems (AS hops) between source and destination. Direct routing paths minimize latency for time-sensitive applications.
Optimal Routing
Tier 1 networks maintain peering relationships with each other and optimize routing paths globally. Your traffic takes the shortest, fastest route.
Maximum Reliability
Multiple redundant Tier 1 upstreams ensure failover capabilities. If one carrier experiences issues, traffic automatically shifts to alternative paths.
Consistent Performance
Tier 1 networks maintain massive capacity and over-provision links to prevent congestion. Your traffic experiences consistent throughput even during peak hours.
SLA-Backed Uptime
99.999% uptime guarantee with financial credits for any SLA violations. Enterprise-grade reliability for mission-critical operations.
Network Performance Metrics
Real-world performance data from our Tier 1 connectivity infrastructure.
Tier 1 Connectivity Use Cases
Content Delivery Networks (CDN)
CDN providers require global reach with minimal latency to serve content efficiently worldwide. Tier 1 connectivity ensures your edge servers have direct, fast paths to end users globally.
Requirements: High bandwidth (40-100 Gbps), low latency, global routing optimization
Financial Services & Trading
High-frequency trading, financial data feeds, and payment processing demand ultra-low latency and consistent performance. Every millisecond matters. Direct Tier 1 access eliminates routing hops.
Requirements: Sub-1ms jitter, minimal latency, 99.999% uptime, path redundancy
Enterprise Global Networks
Multi-national corporations with offices and datacenters across continents need reliable, fast connectivity between locations. Tier 1 networks provide optimal routing for international traffic.
Requirements: Predictable latency, SLA guarantees, BGP control, IPv4/IPv6 dual-stack
Video Streaming Platforms
Live streaming and video-on-demand services require high bandwidth and low latency to deliver buffer-free experiences. Tier 1 connectivity ensures smooth delivery to global audiences.
Requirements: High throughput (40-100 Gbps), DDoS protection, traffic engineering, burstable capacity
Why Choose Virtuasys for Tier 1 Connectivity
Multiple Tier 1 Providers
Direct contracts with 6+ Tier 1 carriers ensure redundancy and optimal routing. We're not reselling transit - you get direct access.
Network Engineering Expertise
Our NOC team has 10+ years experience managing BGP routing, traffic engineering, and Tier 1 interconnections. We optimize your routing policies.
Transparent Routing
Full visibility into AS paths, BGP communities, and routing policies. We provide looking glass access and detailed network diagnostics.
Flexible Port Sizes
Scale from 10 Gbps to 100 Gbps as your traffic grows. Upgrade port speed without service interruption.
Included DDoS Protection
All Tier 1 connectivity includes DDoS mitigation up to 10 Gbps at no additional cost. Optional higher tiers available.
Fast Provisioning
24-72 hour setup time for on-net locations. Our team handles BGP session configuration, route filters, and testing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Request Tier 1 Quote
Access the global internet through direct Tier 1 connections