Internet’s Access Points
Network Access Points (NAPs)
- Connect National ISPs together
- Sometimes large regional and local ISPs also have access directly to NAPs
- Indiana University, for example, which provides services to about 40,000 individuals, connects directly to the Chicago NAP
- About a dozen NAPs in the U.S.
- Run by common carriers such as Sprint and AT&T
Metropolitan Area Exchanges (MAEs)
- Connect Regional ISPs together
- About 50 such MAEs in the U.S. today