PTTMetro

PTTMetro is a network of IXPs developed by the Brazilian Internet Steering Committee (CGI.br) to improve Internet traffic exchange efficiency in Brazil. Initiated in 2004, it allows networks across Brazil to directly interconnect and exchange data, reducing reliance on international providers and lowering costs. This helps to enhance local Internet performance, reducing latency and improving service quality.

Origin and Purpose

The PTTMetro initiative started with the goal of establishing regional PTTs across Brazil. As of now, PTTs are operational in cities such as São Paulo, Porto Alegre, Belo Horizonte, Curitiba, and others. These exchanges handle substantial data traffic (peaking at over 6 Gb/s), connecting various national ISPs and content providers.

The primary purpose of PTTMetro is to improve the efficiency and quality of Internet traffic within metropolitan areas of Brazil by facilitating the direct exchange of traffic between local networks. By creating Pontos de Troca de Tráfego (PTTs), the project aims to reduce reliance on third-party networks for traffic exchange, resulting in cost savings, improved performance, and better control over network traffic.

One of the main advantages of this model is the rationalization of costs, as traffic balances are resolved directly and locally instead of through third-party networks, which may be geographically distant. This model also offers better control over traffic delivery, ensuring that data reaches its destination as efficiently as possible, thus improving overall network performance and providing a better user experience.

PTTMetro thus represents a localized interconnection model in metropolitan areas, allowing both commercial and academic networks to directly exchange traffic under a centralized management structure.

Key Characteristics

The PTTMetro ecosystem also includes PIXes (Points of Interconnection eXchange), managed by private data centers. These serve as access points to PTTs, facilitating more affordable connectivity by offering an alternative to direct connections with the main PTT infrastructure.

Some fundamental characteristics of PTTMetro implementation include:

Neutrality: Independence from commercial providers to ensure impartial traffic exchange.

Quality: Efficient and high-performance traffic exchange.

Low Cost and High Availability: Providing cost-effective alternatives with high availability.

Regional Traffic Exchange Matrix: A unique regional traffic exchange model, promoting efficient data flow within metropolitan areas.

The coordination of PTTMetro is managed by CGI.br, while its operations are handled by technically capable, nonprofit organizations that establish the architectural and management requirements for interconnections. The implementation of secure and high-standard hosting facilities for the PIXs ensures the aforementioned characteristics are met, as well as the integration with existing traffic matrices.

PTTMetro Regions

Several metropolitan regions in Brazil have been identified as having the right characteristics to host PTTMetros. These regions include:

• Americana (operational)
• Belo Horizonte (operational)
• Brasília (operational)
• Campina Grande (operational)
• Campinas (operational)
• Curitiba (operational)
• Florianópolis (operational)
• Fortaleza (operational)
• Goiânia (operational)
• Londrina (operational)
• Porto Alegre (operational)
• Recife (operational)
• Rio de Janeiro (operational)
• Salvador (operational)
• São Paulo (operational)
• São José dos Campos (operational)

References

CGI.br Official Website

NIC.br Official Information

PTTMetro Network Overview

Traffic Exchange Points, PTTMetro, and the Brazilian Internet

Internet Exchange Point

Internet Service Provider

Postal, Telegraph, and Telephone Service