First Communications provides connectivity to Amazon Web Service customers

First Communications is the latest service provider to offer fiber-based connectivity to Amazon (Nasdaq: AMZN) Web Services (AWS) customers.

By becoming a Direct Connect Solution Provider, the service provider will be able to provide customers a direct route for their data centers, offices or colocation facilities into the AWS cloud platform and forgo traditional Internet-based connections.

Available in speeds that range from 1-10 Gbps, financial and health care companies that have stringent regulations like HIPPA they need to follow or specific policies that prohibit them from using Internet-based connections can transmit data directly to and from AWS.

First Communications fiber network

First Communications' fiber network

Unlike the unpredictable nature of the Internet, having a dedicated fiber-based connection will also give customers more consistent network performance with the option to chose the data that uses the dedicated connection and how the data is routed.

Enterprise customers that want to establish a direct connection to AWS but don't have existing infrastructure or would like to work with an alternative service provider can establish a connection with First Communications between their respective sites and the AWS Direct Connect Equinix/Ashburn location.

Establishing a connection with Amazon AWS and other data center providers appears to be a new form of business for fiber-rich service providers like First Communications. While Amazon has been leading the charge for cloud-based services, the reality is they need fiber connections to connect their data center sites and to their customer base.

Of course, First Communications is not alone in its desire to provide connectivity to bridge the data center islands. Fellow competitive provider AboveNet (NYSE: ABVT), for one, recently announced its move to expand its fiber network in the Atlanta metro area to serve more data center providers like QTS and area businesses.

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