--- title: Hey, Who’s Using the Bandwidth? description: Our Transport Networks Research Service groups bandwidth users into four categories. image: https://resources.telegeography.com/hubfs/2024/Blog%20Assets/AdobeStock_190059964-1.jpeg --- [![TG\_LOGO](https://resources.telegeography.com/hubfs/TeleGeography%20Hub%20Theme%20Nov%202025/images/TG_LOGO.svg)](https://www2.telegeography.com/) - [About](https://www2.telegeography.com/about-us) - [Research](https://www2.telegeography.com/our-research) - [Products](https://www2.telegeography.com/products) - [Solutions](https://www2.telegeography.com/solutions) - [Resources](https://resources.telegeography.com) [Log In](https://www.telegeography.com/login/login?service=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.telegeography.com%2Faccount%2Fhome%2Findex) [Contact](https://www2.telegeography.com/contact-us) ###### Data and Analysis Tools - [Cloud and WAN Research Service](https://www2.telegeography.com/cloud-and-wan-infrastructure) - [Data Center Research Service](https://www2.telegeography.com/data-center-research-service) - [GlobalComms Database](https://www2.telegeography.com/globalcomms-database-service) - [International Voice Report](https://www2.telegeography.com/telegeography-report-and-database) - [IP Networks Research Service](https://www2.telegeography.com/ip-networks-research-service) - [ISP Navigator](https://www2.telegeography.com/isp-navigatorisp-navigator) - [Transport Networks Research Service](https://www2.telegeography.com/transport-networks) - [Network Pricing Database](https://www2.telegeography.com/telegeography-pricing-database) - [WAN Cost Benchmark](https://www2.telegeography.com/wan-cost-benchmark) - [Product Passes](https://www2.telegeography.com/product-passes) ###### Consulting - [All Consulting Services](https://www2.telegeography.com/consulting) - [Submarine Cable Consulting](https://www2.telegeography.com/submarine-cable-consulting) ###### Maps - [All Map Services](https://www2.telegeography.com/map-services) - [Sponsor a Map](https://www2.telegeography.com/sponsor-a-map) - [License Map Data](https://www2.telegeography.com/license-geocoded-map-data) - [Cite a Map](https://www2.telegeography.com/cite-telegeography-map) - [Buy a Map](https://shop.telegeography.com/collections/telecom-maps/) ###### Industry - [Education](https://www2.telegeography.com/telegeography-for-education) - [Enterprise](https://www2.telegeography.com/enterprise) - [Tech](https://www2.telegeography.com/tech) - [Telecom](https://www2.telegeography.com/telecom) ###### Case Studies - [AI + Retail Telecom Data](https://www2.telegeography.com/where-to-get-global-telecom-data) - [EXA Infrastructure](https://www2.telegeography.com/exa-infrastructure-case-study) - [Orange Wholesale](https://www2.telegeography.com/orange-wholesale-case-study) - [The European Commission](https://www2.telegeography.com/the-european-commissions-data-backed-approach-to-international-policy) [Back to Resources](https://resources.telegeography.com) # Hey, Who’s Using the Bandwidth? ##### By [Paul Brodsky,](https://resources.telegeography.com/author/paul-brodsky) Sep 05, 2024 [Networks](https://resources.telegeography.com/tag/networks) To many people, the concepts of global network infrastructure and bandwidth markets are difficult to grasp. But to those who follow this sector, it's one of the most fundamental building blocks of the global economy. You’ve likely heard that worldwide bandwidth demand is [steadily increasing](https://resources.telegeography.com/used-international-bandwidth-reaches-new-heights). A natural follow-up question: *why?* Who’s generating all of this demand? Our [Transport Networks Research Service](https://www2.telegeography.com/transport-networks) is here to help. This research tool—which actively assesses the state of the global telecom capacity market—groups bandwidth users into four categories: #### 1. Internet Backbone Providers This category includes the carriers that operate public IP networks.  #### 2. Content Providers This term refers to websites or organizations that handle the distribution of online content. Google, Meta, Microsoft, and Amazon, as well as network-based content delivery networks, are all examples of content providers. (Stay updated on their submarine cable holdings [over here](https://resources.telegeography.com/telegeography-content-providers-submarine-cable-holdings-list-new).) #### 3. Research-Educational This segment includes networks run by various research and educational institutions, such as astronomical observatories or universities. #### 4. Enterprises and Others This final category includes dedicated intra-corporate links, media networks, and government capacity. ![Transport Networks Exec Summary](https://resources.telegeography.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2024/Blog%20Assets/Transport%20Networks%20Exec%20Summary.png?width=150&height=194&name=Transport%20Networks%20Exec%20Summary.png) Ready to take a deeper look at the factors that shape long-term demand and price movements? 👉 [Download our latest executive summary](https://www2.telegeography.com/download-transport-networks-research-service-executive-summary)     ![Paul Brodsky](https://resources.telegeography.com/hubfs/Telegeography-Staff-Headshots/Headshot%20Archive/paul-brodsky-telegeography.png) #### Paul Brodsky Paul Brodsky is a Senior Research Manager at TeleGeography. He is part of the network, internet, cloud, and voice research team. His regional expertise includes Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. [View Paul Brodsky Work](https://resources.telegeography.com/author/paul-brodsky) ## Explore Related Content ![International Internet Capacity Growth Just Accelerated for the First Time Since 2015](https://resources.telegeography.com/hubfs/2018/blog-assets/athlete-1840437_1280.jpg) ###### Blog Sep 20, 2018 #### [International Internet Capacity Growth Just Accelerated for the First Time Since 2015](https://resources.telegeography.com/international-internet-capacity-growth-just-accelerated-for-the-first-time-since-2015) It's true. International internet capacity growth defied long-term trends in 2018 and accelerated for... 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[View More by Alan Mauldin](https://resources.telegeography.com/author/alan-mauldin) [Read Full Article](https://resources.telegeography.com/three-facts-that-summarize-the-current-global-wholesale-bandwidth-market) ![Optical Illusions: Content Providers and the Impending Transformation of International Transport](https://resources.telegeography.com/hubfs/2017/blog-assets/opticalfeature.jpg) ###### Blog Oct 5, 2017 #### [Optical Illusions: Content Providers and the Impending Transformation of International Transport](https://resources.telegeography.com/optical-illusions-content-providers-and-the-impending-transformation-of-international-transport) This week TeleGeography VP of Research Tim Stronge made his way to San Jose to speak at NANOG 71. His... 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