Tier-1 ISP Tier-2 ISP and Tier-3 ISP

1.  Tier-1 ISP 定义：

    -  A Regional Tier 1 ISP is an ISP that has access to the entire Internet Region  solely via its free and reciprocal peering agreements , and it doesn't paytransit fees to anyone to reach any destination in the Internet Region。

 

    Tier-1 ISP是这样一种ISP，它们可以访问互联网的任意角落，而不需要向任何人/单位缴纳任何费用。它们构成了互联网的骨干。一般负责国家级之间进行互连的ISP都是 Tier-1 ISP.

    这些Tier-1 ISP 合在一起，被称为 "Tier-1 Club" 。

   

    在中国，中国电信和中国网通/联通是 Tier-1 ISP.

2.  Tier-2 ISP 定义:

   - Tier-2 ISP is an Internet service provider who engages in the practice of peering with other networks, but who still purchases IP transit to reach some portion of the Internet.A tier-2 ISP is a customer of one or more tier-1 ISP.

   Tier-2 ISP 可以建立自己的网络以便和其它网络互连并构成Internet的一部分，但是它们还必须向Tier-1 ISP 付费以便访问互联网的其它一些区域。

   在中国，比如教育网、中国移动等属于 Tier-2 ISP。 它们有自己的网络，但是又需要支付一定的费用以便访问互联网的其它区域。

3. Tier-3 ISP

    - A  networks or ISP who solely  purchase IP transit from other networks (typically Tier 2 networks) to reach the Internet.

    它们完全购买流量以访问互联网。

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附录： Tier-1 ISP列表

The U.S. Internet Region Tier 1 ISPs

In the U.S. the Tier 1 ISPs (aka "The Tier 1 Club") are:

 

1. AT&T
2. Verizon
3. Sprint
4. Century Link (Qwest)
5. Level 3
6. NTT/Verio
7. Global Crossing
8. Cogent (maybe?)

 

The Singapore Internet Region Tier 1 ISPs

In Singapore the Tier 1 ISPs (aka "The Holy Trinity") are:

 

1. SingTel
2. StarHub
3. Pacific Internet

The Japan Internet Region Tier 1 ISPs

In Japan the Tier 1 ISPs are:

 

 

1. NTT
2. Softbank Broadband (Japan Telecom)
3. KDDI
4. IIJ
5. Powered.com

The Hong Kong Internet Region Tier 1 ISPs

In Hong Kong the Tier 1 ISPs are:

 

 

1. PCCW
2. PacNet (Asia Netcom)
3. HKTelecom
4. Reach **

The Australian Internet Region Tier 1 ISPs

In Australia the Tier 1 ISPs (aka "The Gang of Four") are

 

 

1. Telstra
2. Optus (SingTel)
3. OzeMail (Verizon)
4. Connect.com (Telecom New Zealand)

The New Zealand Internet Region Tier 1 ISPs

In New Zealand the Tier 1 ISPs are

 

1. Telecom New Zealand
2. Telstra Clear

 

 

The China Internet Region Tier 1 ISPs

In China the Tier 1 ISPs are

 

1. China Telecom
2. China Unicom (China Netcom)

 

The Holland Internet Region Tier 1 ISPs

In Holland the Tier 1 ISP is

 

1. KPN

In the U.K. the Tier 1 ISP is

 

The U.K Internet Region Tier 1 ISPs

1. British Telecom

The Swedish Internet Region Tier 1 ISPs

In Sweden the Tier 1 ISP is

 

 

1. TeliaSonera

The Finnish Internet Region Tier 1 ISPs

In Finland the Tier 1 ISP is

 

1. TeliaSonera

The Turkish Internet Region Tier 1 ISPs

In Turkey the Tier 1 ISPs are

 

1. Turkish Telecom
2. Super Online
3. Smile ADSL

The Indian Internet Region Tier 1 ISPs

In India the Tier 1 ISPs are

 

1. Bharti
2. Reliance
3. Tata
4. VSNL

The German Internet Region Tier 1 ISPs

In Germany the Tier 1 ISP is

 

 

1. Deutsche Telekom AG

The South African Internet Region Tier 1 ISPs

In South Africa the Tier 1 ISPs are

 

1. Telekom South Africa
2. MTN
3. Vodacom
4. Neotel

The Ghana Internet Region Tier 1 ISPs

In Ghana the Tier 1 ISP is

 

1. Ghana Telecom

 

The Spain Internet Region Tier 1 ISPs

In Spain the Tier 1 ISP is

 

1. Telefonica

 

 

Across South America Telefonica has emerged as a dominant player although the Tier 1 status has not been confirmed.

 

 

 

The France Internet Region Tier 1 ISPs

In France the Tier 1 ISP is

 

1. France Telecom

* - Not verified

** - Not sure what happened to Reach and its Tier 1 peering in HK