VPS Network Route Guide: What Are Premium Routes and Which Ones Are Available?

1. Overview of the Three Major Networks

1.1 China Telecom

• ChinaNet (AS4134, also called 163 Backbone): IPs starting with 202.97. This is the standard public network, widely deployed, with large bandwidth and low cost. It is suitable for general internet services.

• CN2 (ChinaNet Next Carrier Network, AS4809): IPs starting with 59.43. Compared to the 163 network, CN2 offers smaller but more stable and higher-speed bandwidth. CN2 is divided into CN2 GT and CN2 GIA.

  • CN2 GT (Global Transit): A mid-tier CN2 product. The access network is initially ChinaNet (AS4134), with provincial backbones using 163 (nodes starting with 202.97). Only the exit path uses CN2 (AS4809).

  • CN2 GIA (Global Internet Access): High-end CN2 network, with both access and exit fully on CN2 (AS4809). Some provinces without CN2 nodes may route first through 163 (202.97) and then connect to CN2. CN2 GIA pricing is about three times higher than CN2 GT.

1.2 China Unicom

• AS4837 (Unicom 169 Network): Civilian backbone, similar to 163. For international connections, routing through AS4837 is referred to as CU VIP.

• AS9929 (Unicom Industrial Network, CU PM): Considered a premium network like CN2 GT, mainly serving enterprise clients. Pricing is over five times higher than AS4837 but still below CN2 GIA levels in terms of performance.

• AS10099 (Unicom International Gateway, CUG): Provides overseas connectivity. The traffic may go directly through AS4837 or via AS9929, exiting through AS10099.

1.3 China Mobile

• CMI (China Mobile International, AS58453-AS9808): International bandwidth often has QoS limits, which can be upgraded for higher domestic bandwidth. Heavy usage during evening peaks may affect stability.

• CMCB (Mobile Commercial Broadband): High QoS international bandwidth for business clients.

• CMIN2 (Mobile Premium Network, AS58807): Aimed to compete with CN2 GIA, but performance is currently slightly below CN2 GIA. Further optimizations are expected.

General Ranking: CN2 GIA >> AS9929 / CN2 GT >> 163 / AS4837

2. China Telecom

China Telecom operates two main backbones: the 163 public network (AS4134) and the CN2 premium network (AS4809). CN2 derivatives include CN2 GIA and CN2 GT. CN2 backbone IPs are typically 202.97 (163) and 59.43 (CN2).

The CN2 network was heavily invested in by China Telecom, including transit agreements with operators like Telia and NTT, and the use of dedicated domestic aggregation points ensures stability. Accessing CN2 can be done locally or through overseas data centers, with GT (Global Transit) and GIA (Global Internet Access) options. GT is available only in North America and costs about a quarter of GIA, but its quality is not much better than 163. CN2 GT sales have been largely discontinued due to backbone saturation. From 163 to GIA, traffic routes through 163 to the nearest CN2 interconnection point; GT connections are limited to Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou.

3. China Unicom

China Unicom operates two international backbone networks: CHINA-169 (civilian network, AS4837) and the Industrial Network (AS9929).

3.1 AS9929

Originally used by China Netcom (CNC), after integration into Unicom, AS9929 was rebuilt as a premium network, later renamed China Unicom Industrial Internet (CUII). Compared to CN2, its performance advantage mainly comes from lower load rather than superior infrastructure. For example, AS9929 routes to North America upstream Verizon through AS4837 interconnection points rather than independently.

3.2 AS169

The civilian network (AS4837) is similar to China Telecom's 163 network. In the Asia-Pacific region, Unicom's NTT peering capacity is sufficient for smooth connections. However, North American routes are limited due to repeated TPE cable cuts, with latency sometimes reaching 300 ms. European routes are mostly indirect through the U.S., due to limited upstream connectivity and thresholds set by Telia and GTT.

4. China Mobile

China Mobile operates three main backbones: CMNET, CMHK, and CMI. These networks play key roles in global traffic management and connectivity.

4.1 CMNET

Domestic public network for China Mobile, serving most users within mainland China.

4.2 CMHK

Backbone network in Hong Kong, linking users to mainland China and international networks.

4.3 CMI

China Mobile’s international backbone, providing transit between CMNET and CMHK and ensuring stable global connectivity. CMI bandwidth guarantees local speed but not necessarily access speed to CMNET. For example, Hong Kong direct-to-mainland bandwidth is relatively expensive and quality varies.

5. Conclusion

This article is based on a blogger's observations and knowledge of VPS and backbone networks and should not be considered strictly authoritative. Some details may contain inaccuracies, and readers are encouraged to verify and provide corrections if necessary.