Telco Zayo has launched a Connect to the Cloud program that links cloud providers – including Amazon web services (AWS) and Softlayer - with 500 data centers worldwide.

The aim is to simplify shopping for cloud connections and help customers to operate a hybrid cloud, according to Zayo, which uses its own network rather than the public internet in order to offer high service levels.

In 2011, Zayo became one of the first providers to offer direct bandwidth up to 10G through the AWS Direct Connect portal.

In 2013 it became an Amazon Partner Network (APN) Technology Partner.

Zayo provides private networks with circuits to enable connectivity to each AWS Direct Connect location.

Zayo’s fiber optic network covers 77,000 route miles and includes 14,000 on-net buildings, connecting the majority of data centers and carrier hotels in the US, it says.

The company offers 27 carrier-neutral colocation facilities across the US.

Zayo’s VP of strategic channels John Real said the company is continually onboarding new cloud providers and offers multiple options to connect to the cloud including Ethernet, IP VPN, and wavelengths up to 10G.

“More and more companies are relying on some form of cloud computing,” Real said.

“It’s clear that the business landscape is changing, and with so much critical business intelligence now residing in the cloud, it is crucial to have reliable network connectivity. Zayo’s Connect to the Cloud platform provides that connectivity”.