Home / FAQ – Arelion

Frequently Asked Questions

Are you looking for premium network connectivity and want to know more about our network and services? We’ve gathered some of the questions we get asked the most. If you require more information or have further inquiries, feel free to contact us via our customer support or get in touch with one of our experts.

General information

What is Arelion?

Arelion, is a global leader in network connectivity, owned by Polhem Infra, a Swedish investment firm backed by some of the country’s largest public pension funds. With over 30 years of experience, we have built one of the world’s most extensive and reliable Internet backbones.

Our journey began in 1993 with the launch of our Tier 1 network and the allocation of our Autonomous System number, AS1299. Since then, Arelion has expanded organically, and we now operate extensive network infrastructure that spans 77,000 kilometers across Europe, North America, and Asia.

Today, Arelion enables seamless, high-performance connectivity for more than 2,900 customers in 129 countries, supported by a global ecosystem of 450+ local access partners. Our commitment to innovation, scalability, and customer-centric solutions continues to shape the future of global communications. Read more about us.

What makes Arelion different from other providers?

There are four key differentiators that set Arelion apart from the rest:
 

  1. Top-ranked Tier 1 backbone
    We operate one of the world’s most powerful Tier 1 networks and our autonomous system, AS1299, has been consistently ranked #1 since 2017 by Kentik. This is a reflection of its unmatched global reach and performance.
     
  2. A true Internet pioneer
    With a legacy rooted firmly in the early days of the Internet, Arelion has grown organically, without acquisitions, and demonstrated long-term stability and innovation. Our Net Promoter Score (NPS) score has stayed above 70 in recent years, underscoring both our technical excellence and commitment to customer service.
     
  3. Award-winning customer support
    Arelion is recognized for delivering an exceptional customer experience, and we resolve more than 80% of support cases at the first point of contact. Our responsiveness and reliability set a high standard within our industry.
     
  4. Direct connectivity to the top 5 CSPs
    Arelion provides direct, high-performance connections to the world’s top five cloud service providers (CSPs).  These are directly accessible from our global footprint of over 350 Points of Presence (PoPs) across the NA, Europe, and Asia.
Which industries does Arelion serve?

Arelion serves both wholesale and enterprise segments where network connectivity is crucial, with a particular focus on global large enterprises, Internet Service Providers, hyperscalers, cloud, application and content providers.

 

Key sectors include finance, manufacturing, pharmaceutical and healthcare, technology, retail, and gaming.

Where is Arelion headquartered?

Arelion is headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden.

 

The full list of our offices worldwide can be found here: Find our offices | Arelion.

Who are Arelion's partners?

Arelion has more than 450 local access partners around the world, establishing a reliable and diverse ecosystem that supports our global connectivity services.

 

Our partners include a mix of:

  • Technology Services Distributors (TSDs), including Sandler Partners, AVANT, Telarus, AppDirect, Bridgepointe, and Intelisys
  • Leading cloud service providers such as AWS, Google Cloud, Microsoft Azure, Oracle Cloud, and IBM Cloud. These are all connected directly via Arelion's Cloud Connect service
  • Local access network providers that enable last-mile reach and regional connectivity in over 129 countries
  • Content, security, and gaming providers, who rely on us for low-latency, high-capacity services

Products and services

Discover Arelion’s range of products and services and find the best solution for your needs.

How can I purchase Arelion’s services?

In order to purchase our products and services, get in touch with our experts here.

What services does Arelion provide?

Our core offering is high-performance connectivity­ – explore our products and services .
Depending on individual customer needs and requirements, we provide a broad range of solutions for different use cases. These include:

How do I choose the right Arelion product or service for my business?

To find the best Arelion solution for your needs, start by exploring our interactive network maps to understand our coverage. You can then reach out to our team of experts for personalized and professional guidance.

Does Arelion offer cloud connectivity services?

We provide cloud connectivity to major Cloud Service Providers (CSPs), including direct connections to the top five: AWS, Google Cloud, Oracle Cloud, IBM Cloud, and Microsoft Azure.

What is the pricing structure for Arelion's services?

We offer flexible pricing models including fixed monthly recurring charges (MRC) for committed bandwidth, variable 'burst' billing based on 95th percentile data usage, and a combination of the two (fixed plus burst). Volume-based billing and shared commitment options are also available.

Can I get a trial or demo of Arelion’s products?

Yes, we offer service trials on request and following an evaluation of necessary technical requirements.

Enterprise solutions

What enterprise solutions does Arelion provide?
What are the main benefits of Arelion’s enterprise solutions?

As a true industry pioneer and one of the most experienced network providers globally, we are uniquely positioned to support the evolving needs of modern enterprises. Our key differentiators include:

  • Almost unlimited scalability
  • Full control down to the network core
  • Lower administrative and operational overhead
  • Unrivalled network performance and availability
  • State-of-the-art security know-how and DDoS protection
Can Arelion integrate with my existing IT systems?

Because every IT environment is unique, the best way to ensure a tailored and accurate answer is to speak directly with one of our experts.

How does Arelion ensure the security of enterprise data?

From the optical fiber upwards, we offer a multi-layered approach to security, with built-in security mechanisms and proactive detection routines. Read more about network security, the complex ecosystem of applications, configurations, tools, and hardware.

Are there any case studies or success stories?

To read our case studies, please visit customer stories .

Network coverage

How extensive is Arelion's network?

Our global network infrastructure spans 77,000 route kilometers providing high-capacity connectivity across Europe, North America, and Asia. It supports direct connections to customers in 129 countries, making it one of the most extensive Tier 1 networks in the world. As a Tier 1 network we reach every other network on the Internet via our directly connected customers or settlement-free interconnections, making it one of the most connected global networks. Off-net connectivity is augmented by 450+ local access partners worldwide.

 

We continue to expand our network footprint and regularly add new PoPs to meet growing demand and bring our high-performance connectivity in new markets.

 

For more details, visit our global fiber network.

How can I check Arelion's network availability in my area?

For network availability, visit our global fiber network.

 

What types of network connectivity does Arelion provide (fiber, wireless, etc.)?

We provide a wide range of fiber-based network connectivity solutions designed to meet the needs of enterprises, carriers, and content providers across the world. Here's a breakdown of our main offerings:

 

Fiber-based connectivity

  • DWDM Wavelength services: High-capacity, dedicated data transport using Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) technology
  • Ethernet services: Flexible Ethernet solutions including Ethernet Virtual Private Line (EVPL) and Ethernet LAN (ELAN) for scalable and customizable network topologies
  • Dark fiber: Optical fiber infrastructure that allows customers to build and manage their own private networks
  • Managed Optical Fiber Networks (MOFN): The benefits of owning fiber infrastructure without the complexity or cost of building it

IP and cloud connectivity

  • IP Transit: BGP-based transit to global Internet content via our Tier 1 backbone (AS1299)
  • Dedicated Internet Access (DIA): High-speed Internet access without the need for BGP routing
  • Cloud Connect: Direct, secure connections to the major cloud service providers including AWS, Google Cloud, Microsoft Azure, Oracle, and IBM

Secure networking

  • Smart IP-VPN: MPLS-based virtual private network for secure global Intranet connectivity
  • DDoS mitigation: Network-based protection with core-level scrubbers to defend against distributed denial-of-service attacks (DDoS)
  • SecureConnect: SecureConnect Transit and DIA are designed to enhance customers’ existing IP services with built-in security features. 
Does Arelion offer private networking options?

Yes, we provide private networking solutions tailored to the needs of global enterprises.

 

The private connectivity options from Arelion include:

  • Smart IP-VPN: A secure, MPLS-based virtual private network that connects multiple business locations with high performance and reliability
  • Private Ethernet services: High-bandwidth, point-to-point or point-to-multipoint, ethernet connections with speeds ranging from 10 Mbps to 100 Gbps, offering secure and scalable private networking
  • Dedicated Wavelength services: Built on DWDM technology, these provide high-capacity, private data transport up to 400 Gbps for long-haul connectivity
  • Dark fiber and Managed Optical Fiber Networks (MOFN): For enterprises seeking full control over their network infrastructure without the cost of building it from scratch

 

These services are designed to deliver maximum security, scalability, and performance, making them ideal for organizations with complex, multi-site operations or high data demands.

Delivery journey

What does the onboarding process look like?

Once your order is confirmed, we implement a structured four-step delivery journey to ensure a smooth onboarding experience:
 

    1. Order acknowledgment – you will receive an automatic confirmation with details of your order for verification.
    2. Planning – a dedicated service delivery manager is assigned as your single point of contact. You will receive an estimated delivery date with regular status updates throughout your journey.
    3. Provisioning – we confirm delivery dates, configure services, coordinate with third parties, and ship any required equipment.
    4. Handover – your service is ready to be handed over to you, and everything is ready to go!

 

You can track your order and manage support cases via the My Arelion portal. Read more about our onboarding.

My Arelion customer portal

What is My Arelion?

My Arelion is our customer portal that gives you full access to the services you’ve purchased. It allows you to monitor service performance, track deliveries, manage support cases, and stay informed about network disturbances and planned works – all in one place.

 

Learn more about My Arelion.

How do I log in to My Arelion?

Log in to your account here. For added security, we use two-factor authentication (2FA) when accessing the portal.

What can I do in the portal?

In the portal, you can do following:

 

  • Engage with our award-winning support team by raising a ticket in the portal or via API, keeping all communications centralized for a simplified and efficient support experience.
  • Track your usage data for full transparency across various services including IP, Ethernet, Cloud Connect, IX Connect, DDoS, IoT, On Prem, GRX, DRX and more. Benefit from end-to-end monitoring for better control and insights, and view network SLA performance.
  • Get a comprehensive view of your services inventory, all in one place. Resellers can utilize the global “My Customer” filter to view service tickets, alarms, planned works, and usage data from an end-customer perspective.
  • Access and download your invoices, view your statement of account, and export financial details to Excel or CSV for full transparency and simplified management.
  • Seamlessly integrate and manage your data with our growing collection of open APIs. Access usage data, planned works (including the NANOG/BCOP APIs), alarms, services, and invoices.
  • Integrate your ITSM tool with our support ticket APIs for full automation.
  • Remain in control by managing your service contacts and billing information. Receive notifications about actions needed and provide necessary technical details for service configuration and add your own references for a company-specific view.
  • Quote and order Cloud Connect, IX Connect, and Ethernet Private Line directly through the portal. Enhance your connectivity with DIA and Smart IP-VPN, on top of your installed on-prem connectivity services, ensuring agility and flexibility with network-as-a-Service (NaaS).

 

And more.

Is My Arelion secure?

Yes – we have implemented 2FA to ensure an additional layer of security for your account and data.

Can I follow my service delivery in the portal?

Yes, you can track your order status, view estimated delivery dates, and access your delivery manager’s contact details directly in the portal.

How do I manage or upgrade My Arelion services?

Service status validation, service performance checks, technical changes as well as service upgrades, depending on complexity and type of service, are managed either via the account manager or using the My Arelion portal.

Customer support

How can I contact Arelion’s customer support?

The most efficient way to reach our award-winning customer support team is through the customer portal, where you can easily raise a ticket and keep all communications centralized. This ensures a streamlined and effective support experience. You can also contact us in-person via phone or integrate support requests through our API, if you prefer.

 

Call us at any time: +46 (0) 771 191 170

Call us toll-free:

 

Canada
1 833 248 9234

 

Mexico
01800 123 9599

 

USA
1 888 436 1133

 

Hong Kong
800 965 559

 

Turkey
008 004 696 496

 

Read more about our customer support.

What are Arelion's support hours?

Our customer support is available 24/7.

Can I track the status of my support tickets?

Yes, you can track your support ticket via our customer portal, My Arelion.

Common Internet terminology

What is SASE, and how can it improve my network security?

SASE (secure access service edge) is a modern network architecture that combines networking and security functions into a single cloud-native service. It was introduced by Gartner to address the challenges of securing distributed workforces, cloud applications, and mobile users. SASE integrates several technologies:
 

  • Software-defined wide area network SD-WAN
  • Firewall-as-a-service (FWaaS)
  • Secure web gateway (SWG)
  • Cloud access security broker (CASB)
  • Zero trust network access (ZTNA)
What is Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA) and why is it important for my business?

Zero trust architecture (ZTA) is a cybersecurity framework that operates on the principle of “never trust, always verify.” Unlike traditional security models that assume everything inside the network is safe, ZTA treats every user, device, and application, whether inside or outside the network, as a potential threat.

What is the difference between a public and private IP address?

The difference between a public IP address and a private IP address lies in their purpose and how they are used within networks:

 

Public IP address

  • Definition: an IP address that is assigned to a device to allow it to communicate over the Internet
  • Visibility: visible to external networks and websites
  • Uniqueness: must be unique across the entire Internet
  • Assigned by: Internet service providers (ISPs)
  • Use case: used by web servers, email servers, and any device that needs to be accessible from outside the local network

 

Private IP address

  • Definition: an IP address used within a local network (e.g., home or office) to identify devices internally
  • Visibility: not visible or accessible from the Internet directly
  • Uniqueness: must be unique within the local network but can be reused across different networks
  • Assigned by routers or network administrators
  • Use case: used by devices like computers, printers, and phones within a private network
What is Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 ISP?

Tier 1 networks: These are the backbone of the Internet. They connect globally without paying for access - either through their directly connected customers, or through settlement-free peering agreements. This means they exchange data traffic with other Tier 1 networks without any charges.

 

Tier 2 networks: These networks buy access (IP Transit) from Tier 1 networks but may also engage in peering with other comparable networks. They often serve regional or national areas.

 

Tier 3 networks: These networks rely on Tier 1 or Tier 2 networks for connectivity. They primarily serve local end-users, such as residential broadband customers, and pay for the transit of their traffic on other networks.

Read more in our What is an Internet backbone ranking? guide.