Global demand for bandwidth is increasing at an exponential rate, creating opportunities – but also challenges – for service providers. From the upsurge in implemented IoT devices and connectivity, to cloud infrastructure migrations and the growth in streaming platforms, more and more service providers (SPs) are seeking ways to easily increase capacity and expand the reach of their networks. But essential for this is a high-quality wholesale partner to deliver a high Quality of Experience (QoE), while managing a global explosion of data traffic.

The most widely accepted and easiest method of expanding the footprint of a network is peering, which can enable direct network connections via Internet exchange points (IXP). BICS takes the pain out of peering with the Instant Peering solution. As the only advanced remote peering product on the market today, BICS Instant Peering allows SPs to easily expand their own network footprint, without the hassle of managing peering connections and technical/ commercial agreements.

BICS Instant Peering differs from other managed peering solutions as it offers all the information needed for SPs to evaluate where and who to peer with, to minimise latency. BICS experts can then design a customised footprint and establish the most suitable peering relationships based on your business needs. BICS Instant Peering doesn’t require self-management of establishing peering connections, as all of the administration is covered under the solution. SPs also gain direct access to the world’s largest IXPs and paid-for peers, already established via BICS’ peering connections, providing the capabilities to significantly expand networks with ease through a single port. Additionally, the lowest latency path calculated, so connections can be made via just one network hop, ensuring the highest QoE for the SP’s customers.

Acquiring and installing hardware at different global IXPs such as routers, cabling and installations incur significant capex. However, as BICS existing peering connections are used, there is no need for additional hardware installations, eliminating costs and infrastructure investment.

The leading advantage of the BICS Instant Peering solution is the integrated graphical user interface (GUI). This user-friendly platform enables access to a range of free and paid-for peering options, with functionalities including activating peering connections, and provisioning where and who to peer with. Through the BICS Instant Peering GUI, SPs can gain full visibility of all their peers and available connections, and activate new traffic relationships to optimize routes between certain destinations and their network. Once a request is made, the BICS solution then takes over to process and implement all the physical and commercial agreements required. If a connection does not yet exist with a peer, SPs can add it to their wishlist – BICS can then contact that peer to start a peering agreement process, and once completed, the SP can request a direct connection with the newly-onboarded peer.

An important capability of the BICS Instant Peering platform is its suggestions of where best to peer and with whom. By using its extensive database of IXPs around the world, the solution can ‘match make’ the location of a BICS’ PoP with the nearest peer PoP, to make the best peering connection for the SP’s needs. The platform can then compute the estimated total latency between the two connections, giving the SP the freedom to select different PoPs and allowing for clear visibility on which IXP will provide the best latency. By providing a single view of all peering data in the network, BICS Instant Peering offers the flexibility to control and manage network expansion as needed, making it much easier for SP peering managers. This, in turn, enables optimal increase in overall capacity to ensure a superior QoE for the end customer.

BICS Instant Peering offers SPs ease of network expansion with minimal management, while maintaining cost control. Taking the hassle out of peering and the associated admin, the integrated GUI platform allows for easy management and a clear view of peers, IXPs and latency.

BICS has more than 20 years of experience in international connectivity, with 100-plus points of presence (PoP) worldwide. As a global voice and mobile data carrier, we have a strong background in negotiating traffic agreements, making us the ideal partner to work with to increase capacity. Used by more than a thousand mobile operators and SPs globally, we are the leading international capacity services provider in the world, enabling growth and network expansion parallel to business requirements.

This is the last blog in our peering series – have you read the others, discussing why QoS should be a main priority for SPS, and the different approaches to peering? Read them here.