Why Internet for your SD-WAN or SASE Network?

Gone are the days when private MPLS lines were the default choice for connecting branch offices. Now, internet-based networking is taking over, especially for supporting SD-WAN and SASE architectures.

But where did this trend originate, and is it still gaining traction?

The shift to Internet-based networks

The shift started around the mid-2010s when SD-WAN came onto the scene. Enterprises were looking for alternatives to expensive and rigid MPLS networks. SD-WAN made it possible to use multiple connection types—broadband internet, 4G/5G, and yes, MPLS too—while maintaining performance and security through centralized management and smart routing.

Then came the pandemic. Suddenly, thousands of employees were working remotely, cloud-first strategies moved from “maybe one day” to “yesterday, please”, and secure and reliable internet-based connectivity became not just acceptable, but essential. 

According to Gartner, by 2026, 45% of enterprises will exclusively use internet services for their WAN connectivity (source). TeleGeography claims that’s already happening with 49% of respondents using DIA for their sites (source). And the rise of SASE (Secure Access Service Edge) has only accelerated that shift by combining networking and security in a cloud-native model.

So yes, the trend is very much alive and real.

Why Internet for SD-WAN or SASE? The benefits.

Internet-based connectivity brings some serious perks:

• Cost savings. MPLS is pricey. Broadband, DIA, and mobile connections? With enough sizes and flavors, the price range varies but almost always provides significant savings compared to MPLS.
• Faster deployment. No long provisioning times. You can be up and running in days or weeks, not months.
• More flexibility. Add, move, or change sites with far less hassle.
• Cloud readiness. This one is key when most enterprise traffic is headed to the cloud. Why backhaul it through an MPLS network?
• Better user experience. Smart path selection in SD-WAN means users get the best possible performance, even over the public internet.
• Diversity. Running a single MPLS link is an investment. Having diverse ones, even more so. Internet is a much more widely available product and in many regions is provided by multiple suppliers, meaning that resiliency and diverse links are much easier to get.

So, ditch MPLS?

Not necessarily.

The rise of SD-WAN and SASE doesn’t mean going “internet-only.” In fact, many enterprises take a hybrid approach—keeping MPLS where it still makes sense (like data centers or regions with poor internet quality), and layering in broadband or DIA for everything else.

Others look for private alternatives, like a point-to-point Ethernet.

It’s not about ripping out what you have. It’s about using the best tool for the job at each site.

Choices, choices. What’s the best approach?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. But there is a smart way to go about it.

• Assess each site and user profile. What applications are running? What are the performance, uptime, and latency needs? How critical is diversity?
• Mix and match. Some sites might thrive with DIA as the primary link and broadband as a secondary line. Others may need MPLS or a private link. LEO is making its way into other types of use cases. Know your options.
• Think globally, act locally. Sourcing internet around the world isn’t easy—especially if you want SLAs, proper billing, and local support. Nevertheless, you will unlock more benefits when leveraging local ISPs.
• Plan for change. Your network should be able to adapt as your business grows or shifts. The key is flexibility—with visibility and control.

If this only made it sound more complex, breathe. We’ve got this.

Bring clarity to the chaos with GNX

Refreshing your global enterprise network doesn’t have to be messy.

At GNX, we simplify the complexity of selecting and sourcing your internet access services. Whether you’re building a new SD-WAN or rolling out SASE, we help you find the right internet services for each location—anywhere in the world. Working with 3,000+ ISPs worldwide, we can easily identify which services are available at your site location and which are the right ones, whether for primary use, backup, or to add diversity to your site.

We handle the heavy lifting: sourcing, deploying, and managing the lifecycle of your internet services. And with GNX+, our automated and carrier-neutral platform, you get full visibility from quote to billing to support.

No more chasing carriers. No more blind spots. Just a network that fits your business, now and in the future.