RE: How to choose a transit provider?

[David Guo via NANOG <nanog () nanog org>]

Hi Mehmet,

We usually ask the sales director from a neutral datacenter to introduce a sales rep from Tier 1 - 2 ISPs to bargain.

First of all, sign NDA if possible, then ask the following questions:

1. Price for 100 Mbps on 1 Gbps port to 1 Gbps unmetered or 1 Gbps on 10 Gbps or 10 Gbps unmetered
2. Contact term, from 12 months to 36 months, or even 60 months.
3. BGP community or RTBH for blackhole
4. AS-SET or LOA for BGP filter updating
5. SLA and network delay (latency) guarantee
6. Price for NRC and MRC and VAT or tax in some countries

For their peering networks and IX, you can do research on different network using looking glass, mtr, traceroute, etc. 
And ask your friend if they are already using the service.

Cheapest transit service will not always have good performance, but the most expensive one may not be the best choice. 
You should choose the suitable provider for your audience.

Regards,

David


From: NANOG <nanog-bounces () nanog org> On Behalf Of Mehmet Akcin
Sent: Friday, December 14, 2018 11:22 PM
To: nanog <nanog () nanog org>
Subject: How to choose a transit provider?

Hello there,

I have started writing a blog which I hope it would help buy transit services from providers by doing various due 
diligences(technical) i wanted to reach out and ask nanog community’s thoughts on this.

What are some of your checklist items ? Price? Their directly peered networks? If they are tier 2,3 who they use as 
tier 1-2? Are the onnet? I am sure list goes on and on on...

Thanks a lot for your help. I plan to write the blog this month and publish.

Mehmet
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Mehmet
+1-424-298-1903