Astrotel introduces global cloud-based IP
transit service with US0.3c MB pricing
Australia’s Astrotel has announced a flat-rate pricing model set from 0.3 US cents per megabyte for IP transit, regardless of whether the route is domestic or international. This marks a departure from the variable pricing structures typically associated with such a service, where costs can range significantly depending on the route and client size at between 0.8c and $1.50-2 per megabyte.
The pricing is the headline takeout from its launch of its IP Transit Over Cloud service, a global offering built on the Alkira platform.
Astrotel’s IPTOC is available globally in regions where major public cloud providers operate and aims to provide an alternative to traditional telecommunications infrastructure.
According to Astrotel CEO Elisabeth Aris, the service is positioned as a cost-efficient and scalable solution for carriers, ISPs, managed service providers and large enterprises. “It is a new way to think about global telecommunications and is available at a fraction of the cost, set up in hours, connected anywhere in the world where the major cloud providers are available,” she told CommsDay.
The IPTOC service operates entirely over public cloud infrastructure, facilitated by Alkira’s network platform. Connections to the service can be established using IPsec from existing routers or via direct connections offered by cloud providers such as AWS, Microsoft Azure or Google Cloud. Astrotel noted that no additional hardware is required, simplifying deployment for clients.
Alkira CEO Amir Khan described the integration as an example of how the platform can deliver secure, elastic connectivity for a range of enterprise needs. “It provides significant cost savings and is a new, innovative, secure, and elastic approach to moving data across regions,” Khan said. The Alkira platform integrates with cloud providers’ infrastructure and supports redundancy across multi-cloud and multi-region configurations.
Astrotel’s partnership with Connectbase, a platform for buying and selling connectivity services, expands the service’s availability through the Connected World ecosystem. Connectbase profiles over 2.7 billion locations globally, drawing on data from 400 providers across 150 countries.
Aris highlighted that IP transit has historically been seen as a legacy product within telecommunications. “You can now literally send the data anywhere you want within the cloud availability regions, which is pretty well everywhere,” she said.
The service is initially targeting markets in ANZ and Asia, including Singapore, Indonesia, and Malaysia, but Astrotel indicated it has also received interest from clients in Europe and North America. Aris attributed this reach to the Connectbase platform and existing global partnerships.
In addition to supporting standard IP transit needs, the service offers capabilities for multi-cloud connectivity, which Astrotel said could be particularly beneficial in markets where cloud infrastructure remains underdeveloped. For example, in Indonesia, the service has been used to integrate local last-mile connectivity with Alkira’s platform, enabling multi-cloud capabilities in regions previously limited to single-cloud options.
Aris characterised the initiative as an opportunity for enterprises to explore alternatives to traditional IP transit models, stating, “This is a whole new mindset for how telcos can work.”
Astrotel launched as a dedicated business telco based in Sydney earlier this year, under the leadership of Aris, who formerly held senior positions at TPG, Telstra, and TasmaNet. CommsDay reported on its partnership with Alkira on 14 October.
Grahame Lynch
About Astrotel
Astrotel is a leading provider of Cloud & AI Native software, Open Networking hardware and software, and Connectivity solutions across the Asia Pacific region. With a focus on delivering cutting-edge technologies and unparalleled network performance, Astrotel empowers businesses, enterprises, and government entities to achieve greater efficiency and flexibility in their digital operations. Find us at astrotel.io.
About Alkira
Alkira is the leader in Network Infrastructure on Demand. We unify any environments, sites, and users via an enterprise network built entirely in the cloud. The network is managed using the same controls, policies, and security systems network administrators know, is available as a service, and can instantly scale as needed. There is no new hardware to deploy, no software to download, and no architecture to learn. Alkira’s solution is trusted by Fortune 100 enterprises, leading system integrators, and global managed service providers. Learn more at alkira.com and follow us @alkiranet.
About Connectbase
Connectbase is the global ecosystem for buying and selling connectivity. Designed to streamline interactions between buyers and sellers across the globe, Connectbase offers a dynamic and comprehensive ecosystem for all connectivity stakeholders. The Connected World platform serves over 300 providers globally, profiling 2.7 billion locations across more than 150 countries. Visit Connectbase at connectbase.com and follow us on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/company/connectbase-us/