Don’t try this at home: why we work with thousands of local ISPs (so you don’t have to)

Whether you are a small business or a large global enterprise, your network is your lifeline. Every branch office, retail location, or remote site needs fast, reliable connectivity. And these days, that underlay connectivity—the actual internet links your SD-WAN rides on—can make or break your daily operations. 

But here’s the catch: those links don’t come from one global source. Different cities, countries, and even neighborhoods often rely on smaller regional internet service providers (ISPs). That’s the way the internet’s been built from day one – it's a network of networks. 

Therefore, no matter how much you want simplicity, your underlay is naturally a complex mix of many different fiber owners, ISPs, etc. 

So, how do enterprises deal with that? While there are plenty of options, most enterprises look for a partner to simplify the mess: usually a big regional provider, or even one of the global players, promising a single contract, one point of contact, and standard SLAs. And we get it. That’s convenient. Especially if you’re dealing with hundreds of sites across regions. But here’s where it starts to get tricky. 

The problem with “Simple” 

When a large provider handles your connectivity everywhere, they are often outsourcing part of it. They don’t own that last mile in Bogotá or Bangkok. They’re buying it from someone else—who might also be buying it from someone else. This is a key fact in our industry. You know there are multiple layers between you and the company actually delivering your internet. The problem is that sometimes you don’t know how many.  

The result? margin stacking. 

Each layer adds its own markup, and in the end, you’re paying more for the same service. Worse? Those layers can delay support and response times. If something goes down, who do you call? Your “main” provider, sure—but how fast can they go down the chain to connect with the people actually responsible for the fix? 

And that’s just on a good day. 

On a bad day, the issue gets passed around between layers like a hot potato. Ending in frustration. Downtime. And a complete lack of visibility into what’s really going on. 

Going straight to the source 

That’s why at GNX, we take a different approach. We work directly with the local providers. The ISPs and last-mile providers (LMPs) who actually deliver the service on the ground. The ones who run the cables, climb the poles, and send out the trucks when something breaks. 

Yes, it’s more work. We’re not going to sugarcoat that, but that’s our job. 

We’ve built relationships with thousands of providers around the world. We evaluate, vet, and onboard them one by one. That’s how we ensure quality. That’s how we stay close to the source. And that’s how we make sure we’re delivering what our customers really need: a reliable, transparent connection from end to end. 

Make note: we’re not claiming to remove every middle layer—but we keep it to one: us. Another promise? Transparency. We’ll tell you exactly who your local provider is, and you’ll get direct access to all information through our GNX+ platform. No secrets. No black boxes. 

Why it matters 

This setup gives you several advantages: 

• Well-informed decisions. ISP selection is a team effort. Pricing, lead time, and SLA information will be at your fingertips through our platform, GNX+.
• Better accountability. We know who’s delivering the service, and we have a direct relationship with them. So if something goes wrong, we can escalate faster and more effectively.
• More transparency. You’re not stuck wondering who’s behind your connectivity. We’ll show you.
• No paper promises. Because we work with the owners of the fibers and with the local ISPs, we see it all. We know who really has the best availability, repair-, and lead times.
• Less cost padding. Fewer layers means fewer margins stacked on top of each other. That keeps pricing honest.
• Tailored performance. Local providers often outperform the big names in their own backyard. We pick the best one for each location, not just the most convenient global partner. 

Does this approach scale? Absolutely. But it’s not plug-and-play. It requires effort. It requires knowledge of the local landscape. It means managing a global ecosystem of providers and making sure everything works together. And that’s exactly what we do. 

We do the heavy lifting so you don’t have to. 

How are you planning to simplify your global internet? 

At GNX, we believe in going deep. Not just wide. That’s why we work with thousands of local ISPs across the globe. We build those relationships ourselves. We manage the complexity behind the scenes. And we give you a direct line—figuratively and literally—to your internet. 

It’s not always the easiest path. But it’s the one that leads to better outcomes. Let’s talk.