| Internet backbone
This superfast network spanning the
world from one major metropolitan area to another is provided by a handful
of national Internet service providers (ISPs). These organizations
(including Net 99 and Alternet) use connections running at approximately
45 mbps (T3 lines) linked up at specified interconnection points called
national access points (which are located in major metropolitan areas).
Local ISPs connect to this backbone through routers so that data can be
carried though the backbone to its destination. |