If you’ve recently had full fibre broadband installed, especially from providers using CityFibre or Exascale, you’ve probably noticed a small box mounted on your wall. That box is called an ONT, and while it doesn’t look like much, it plays a crucial role in getting fast internet into your… Read More
For years, millions of British households have been getting their fix of Eastenders, Bake Off and Countryfile through Freeview – the free-to-air digital television service that arrived in 2002. But as internet streaming goes mainstream, a major shakeup is in store for how we watch our favourite shows. The… Read More
At Exascale, we’re transforming how UK businesses think about connectivity. From our Telford headquarters, we’ve built something different: a leased line provider that combines enterprise-grade infrastructure with genuine, human service. Our Approach to Leased Lines is Different We’ll be straight with you – we’re not the biggest name… Read More
What Is Remote Peering? A Guide for UK Networks
Remote peering allows a network to connect to an internet exchange without installing equipment at every exchange location. Instead, a connectivity provider extends a Layer 2 connection from the organisation’s site or data centre to the exchange.
For UK networks, hosting providers, content platforms and digital businesses, that can make it easier to reach a wider range of peers while controlling the operational cost and complexity of interconnection.
How internet peering works
Peering is the direct exchange of traffic between networks. Participants meet at an internet exchange point and use bilateral sessions or route servers to exchange routes. Traffic can then take a more direct path than it might through a conventional upstream transit provider.
Peering and IP transit are complementary. Peering can provide direct paths to participating networks, while IP transit provides reachability to the wider internet.
What makes remote peering different?
With traditional on-site peering, a network deploys routers, ports and cross-connects in the same facility as the exchange. Remote peering carries the exchange connection across a provider’s network, avoiding the need for the customer to maintain hardware at every location.
Exascale provides connectivity to major European metropolitan exchange points from locations across the UK through data-centre cross-connects or direct Layer 2 connectivity to a building. Its remote peering service can expose routes representing up to 70% of the global internet routing table through bilateral arrangements and route servers.
Benefits of remote peering
Lower network latency
A direct path to content, cloud and access networks can reduce the number of intermediate networks traffic crosses. Results depend on the destination, exchange and routing policy, but the design can improve latency and path consistency.
Broader interconnection without multiple deployments
Remote access lets a network join exchanges beyond its physical footprint. That reduces the need for separate routers, rack space and cross-connect management at every exchange site.
Operational simplicity
A single provider can deliver the Layer 2 transport and support the interconnection path. Internal teams still control routing policy, but have fewer physical deployments to maintain.
Flexible growth
Organisations can expand into additional exchanges or adjust capacity as traffic patterns evolve, subject to provider and exchange availability.
Who can benefit?
- Internet service providers extending peering reach.
- Hosting and cloud platforms improving paths to access networks.
- Content providers moving high volumes of traffic.
- Businesses that want more direct connectivity to digital platforms.
- Networks entering a new market before committing to a physical point of presence.
Remote peering, IP transit or a private connection?
The right service depends on the traffic and destination. Remote peering supports exchange-based interconnection. IP transit provides global internet reachability. A private Layer 2 or data-centre cross-connect may be more appropriate when two parties need a dedicated path.
A resilient design often uses more than one service, with diverse paths and clear routing policies. Exascale engineers can assess the organisation’s autonomous system, traffic profile, exchange requirements and existing connectivity.
Questions to ask a remote peering provider
- Which exchanges and locations are available?
- Is access provided through route servers, bilateral sessions or both?
- What port speeds and capacity options are supported?
- How is Layer 2 resilience designed?
- What monitoring, support and escalation arrangements are included?
- How will the service integrate with existing transit and private connectivity?
Frequently asked questions
Do I need my own ASN?
Peering normally requires appropriate network resources and routing capability. Requirements vary by exchange, so eligibility should be checked during design.
Does remote peering replace IP transit?
Usually not. Peering reaches participating networks, while transit provides broader internet reachability. Many networks use both.
Can remote peering connect directly to my building?
Exascale can deliver remote peering through data-centre cross-connects or Layer 2 connectivity to a building, subject to availability and design.
Plan the right interconnection strategy
Remote peering can extend reach while avoiding a full physical deployment at every exchange. Learn more about Exascale remote peering and discuss the exchange points, capacity and resilience your network requires.