Why carrier neutrality?

When considering your "Journey to the Cloud" and pondering the lifecycle of your own data center, you'll also need to address the concept of "carrier neutrality." Google® alone has indexed the term millions of times. So why is the term "carrier neutrality" significant in the context of planned data center outsourcing and provider selection?

Unlike protocols (e.g., IP, Ethernet, etc.), which are described in standards, there is no clear definition for the term "carrier neutrality." This blog does not claim to change that. There is also the belief that carriers offering their own data center space cannot be carrier-neutral, which is inherent in the nature of the issue. From the carriers' perspective, this may be true at first glance, but there are compelling reasons why carriers might provide infrastructure to their competitors within their own data centers, whether for cost considerations or to meet customer needs. Relying solely on who owns a data center does not necessarily lead to the desired outcome.

Three factors - Three important decision criteria

1. Costs: carrier-neutral data centers foster healthy competition

Carrier-neutral data centers have the advantage of offering multiple options, as various carriers, ISPs, managed service providers, IXPs, etc., compete with each other, allowing you to expect market-competitive prices.

2. Latency: fewer intermediaries result in lower latency

Direct connections from your connectivity partner to your network reduce the number of intermediaries, thereby lowering latency.

3. Flexibility: competition leads to better customer orientation

Each provider has its advantages and disadvantages compared to the competition, enabling you to choose the best fit for your needs and switch easily between providers if something doesn't go perfectly.

Why is carrier neutrality critical?

In addition to enhancing competition and expanding choices, carrier neutrality also drives innovation in network services. As a business, you benefit from a flexible and scalable network that adapts to your growing needs. Given the increasing importance of digital transformation and cloud services, choosing a carrier-neutral data center is a forward-thinking and future-proof decision.

Success factors for your IT strategy

Network providers play a crucial role in your digital transformation. Secure, reliable data transfer is just one aspect that must be considered for successful data center outsourcing and provider selection. Other criteria include cost and energy efficiency, flexibility, scalability, high availability, security, georedundancy, and the range of solutions and services offered. Sustainability aspects are increasingly considered when choosing a data center provider. In complex IT infrastructures requiring customized solutions, a neutral ecosystem of partners can be advantageous. In short, the question is: Does the provider understand your needs and expectations, and do they have a comprehensive range of solutions and services to future-proof your IT strategy?