Procurement checklist for choosing an IIG or ISP partner

Mango Network Engineering, Network Engineer07 JUL 2026·3 min read

Network operations engineers at their desks

The short answer

Choosing a connectivity partner comes down to five areas: licences held, physical routes and diversity, interconnects with content networks, the support and escalation model, and contract terms for capacity growth. Ask for evidence on each. A licensed gateway can name its cables, its licences and the engineer who picks up the phone.

1. Licences

Which BTRC licences does the provider hold directly: IIG, ITC, ISP? Ask for the licence, not a brochure.
If the provider resells another company's gateway, who is accountable when that gateway fails?
For digital trust bundled with connectivity, is the CA licensed by the Office of the CCA?

2. Routes and diversity

Named submarine systems and terrestrial routes carrying your traffic.
Whether backup capacity is on a physically separate path.
How the provider communicated during its last international incident. Ask for an example.

3. Interconnects and content

Which content networks are directly interconnected (for example Google, Meta, Amazon, Akamai, Equinix, DE-CIX, Zenlayer).
Whether caches for major platforms are hosted locally.
For enterprises: whether the office link reaches the gateway directly or via another carrier.

4. Support and escalation

24/7 phone numbers, published and answered by engineers.
A written escalation path: operations desk, senior engineer, head of network operations.
Monitoring: does the provider see a fault before you report it?

5. Contract terms

Committed capacity and the steps to upgrade, with lead times.
Handoff type and location, in writing.
Term, exit and what happens to capacity pricing on renewal.
Service levels and response windows should be stated per contract; ask for them in writing rather than accepting a marketing figure.

5. Contract terms

Committed capacity and the steps to upgrade, with lead times.
Handoff type and location, in writing.
Term, exit and what happens to capacity pricing on renewal.
Service levels and response windows should be stated per contract; ask for them in writing rather than accepting a marketing figure.

Procurement checklist for choosing an IIG or ISP partner

1. Licences

2. Routes and diversity

3. Interconnects and content

4. Support and escalation

5. Contract terms

Tell us what you need to connect, host or secure.

1. Licences

2. Routes and diversity

3. Interconnects and content

4. Support and escalation

5. Contract terms

Tell us what you need to connect, host or secure.

1. Licences

2. Routes and diversity

3. Interconnects and content

4. Support and escalation

5. Contract terms

What is an International Internet Gateway, and why does your ISP's choice matter?

IP transit vs dedicated internet: which do you need?

Building route diversity against subsea cable cuts

Tell us what you need to connect, host or secure.

1. Licences

2. Routes and diversity

3. Interconnects and content

4. Support and escalation

5. Contract terms

What is an International Internet Gateway, and why does your ISP's choice matter?

IP transit vs dedicated internet: which do you need?

Building route diversity against subsea cable cuts

Tell us what you need to connect, host or secure.