Internet

If you want a single, simple number to identify the best-connected provider in the world, you may come away disappointed.

There are several ways to measure connectivity, and each highlights different strengths and weaknesses of a provider’s presence.

One basic metric is to count the number of unique Autonomous Systems (AS) to which a backbone provider connects, while filtering out internal company connections.

Here’s what we found.

Let's face it—there are a lot of definitions to memorize in the telecom space. And if you've ever racked your brain for what “MVNO” stands for on a Monday morning, you're not alone.

Here's a hot tip: there's a secret Telecom Glossary tucked away at the end of our free State of the Network Report.

Save it to your phone. Print it out and display it on your fridge. Or just keep reading to peruse the terms listed under A, B, and C.