How to choose
Route types and cost differences
Here’s an overview of common route terms. It does not mean that every region offers every type. Use these explanations to understand how routes work, then test them with your local network and target service.
Dedicated transport segment
IEPL dedicated line
IEPL generally refers to an international Ethernet private line. In subscription services, this label usually indicates that dedicated transport resources are used along part of the route. The connection from your device to the entry point and from the exit point to the destination website must still be considered separately; it does not mean the entire connection is exclusively yours.
These resources typically cost more to procure and maintain, and may suit work that depends on continuity, such as extended meetings, remote collaboration, or long sessions. Your experience also depends on the entry point, exit routing, and the destination service’s response.
To assess a route, try real tasks at the times you normally use it. Check for repeated disconnects and whether reconnecting restores the session. An IEPL label does not guarantee a fixed exit IP or acceptance by third-party websites.
Entry-point forwarding
Relay
A relay route sends your connection to an entry point first, then forwards it to the exit point. Its purpose is to improve route selection through entry-point and routing arrangements, not simply to reduce the number of hops. The entry connection and subsequent transport segments both affect performance.
Costs depend on relay resources, traffic procurement, and maintenance; the name alone does not tell you whether it is cheaper than another route type. For everyday browsing, app access, and general streaming, consider relay routes and test them with the content you use.
If there are multiple entry points in the same region, keep the destination website unchanged and test the full connection process on each route. If performance improves after changing entry points, the access path may be the issue; you may not need to switch destination regions.
Direct connection to the exit
Direct
A direct route generally means the client connects to the destination node without an additional relay entry point. The route structure is more direct, but public internet routing does not always follow the geographically shortest path, so “direct” does not necessarily mean faster or more stable.
This architecture typically uses fewer relay resources, but actual costs still depend on the exit, transport resources, and destination region. If your local network has a suitable route to the destination node, a direct connection may be worth trying for everyday use.
If the connection is unreliable on a particular network, compare other routes in the same region. A successful connection once does not mean it will work in every network environment, and route structure does not guarantee access to a target service.