China Telecoms Premium Global Express Lane | Generated by AI
What is CN2 in the Context of China’s Network Export to Global/Overseas Connections?
CN2, short for ChinaNet Next Carrying Network (CN2), is a premium, next-generation international backbone network developed and operated by China Telecom. It’s designed specifically for high-quality, low-latency global connectivity, especially for traffic moving between China and the rest of the world. While it’s not a single “cable” per se, it leverages advanced undersea fiber-optic cables (like those in the global submarine cable network) along with optimized routing and peering agreements to provide superior performance. Think of it as China’s upgraded “express lane” for internet traffic export/import, contrasting with the more congested standard ChinaNet (CHINANET) infrastructure.
In essence:
- Purpose: It handles international data export from China to overseas destinations (e.g., US, Europe, Asia-Pacific) with dedicated bandwidth, reducing bottlenecks caused by the Great Firewall, peering issues, or high traffic volumes on regular lines.
- Key Features:
- Optimized Routing: Direct peering with major global ISPs (e.g., Level 3, NTT) for faster paths.
- Quality of Service (QoS): Prioritizes business/critical traffic with built-in stability and redundancy.
- Global Reach: Connects to over 100 countries via multiple cable systems, making it ideal for cloud services, VPNs, gaming, or e-commerce crossing borders.
It’s commonly used by enterprises, data centers, and VPN providers to ensure reliable “China-to-overseas” links.
Is CN2 Faster for Overseas Connections?
Yes, CN2 is generally faster and more reliable than standard China Telecom networks for international traffic. Here’s why, based on performance comparisons:
- Lower Latency: Typical ping times to the US/Europe drop by 20-50% (e.g., 150-200ms vs. 250-400ms on regular lines), thanks to shorter routes and less congestion.
- Higher Speeds and Stability: It supports up to 100Gbps+ bandwidth with packet loss rates under 0.1%, versus 1-5% on basic networks. This makes it great for real-time apps like video calls or streaming.
- Trade-offs: It’s more expensive (often 2-3x the cost of standard lines) and requires commitments (e.g., 1-3 years), but for high-stakes global ops, the speed gains are worth it.
If you’re setting up a connection, providers like China Telecom Americas or cloud hosts (e.g., AWS via CN2) often bundle it for seamless overseas access.
References
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[CN2 (AS 4809) China Telecom Americas Premium Global Network](https://www.ctamericas.com/company/global-network/cn2/) - Why CN2 is a Game Changer for International IT Operations in China
- Quick Comparison Global Network vs China Direct vs CN2
- What is CN2 Network? A 3-minute Guide
- Telecom CN2: the international high-speed channel
- CMI & CN2 Dedicated Server: Key to the Fastest Routing to China