Quick question about inbound route-selection

[Drew Weaver <drew.weaver () thenap com>]

Howdy,

Keep in mind I am basing this 'idea' off of fixed orbit's data which can sometimes be a bit out of date, etc.

(in theory, and based upon number of peers, data): If you have a network with these upstream connections to the 
Internet you should see inbound traffic utilization in this order:

AS   Name
--------- 
3356 Level3
7018 ATT
3549 Global Crossing
4323 Time Warner Telecom
10796 TimeWarnerCable/RR

I am trying to determine why I am seeing it in this order:

3356 Level3
4323 Time Warner Telecom
3549 Global Crossing
10796 TimeWarnerCable/RR
7018 ATT

I suppose there is a certain level of convergence where these providers inter-connect, and also the source network of 
the traffic plays a big part of it, i.e. if most of the sources are directly connected to Level3, etc.

I am mainly wondering why 7018 sends us such a little amount compared to even 10796.

Also, with the providers already connected, if we added a new one, which one would (in your opinion) benefit us the 
most on spreading the inbound traffic out better?

I realize that we can use communities, and prepends to control the inbound flow, I am just speaking from a purely 
natural standpoint.

thanks,
-Drew