A sample of hosting providers

Digex Inc. — Managed hosting with tiered service offerings. Uses parent company Intermedia Communications Inc.'s Tier 1 worldwide backbone.

Exodus Communications Inc. - Basic Web-hosting provider that expanded into managed hosting. Acquired GlobalCenter from Global Crossing Ltd. in 2000. Uses Global Crossing's Tier 1 worldwide backbone.

Genuity Inc. — Managed hosting with ownership of Tier 1 worldwide backbone. Thirty years ago, as BBN, it won the ArpaNet contract and built the forerunner to the Internet.

IBM Corp. — Combination of basic hosting and managed, customized Web services. Access to Tier 1 network backbone through alliances with AT&T and Qwest Communications International Inc.

Qwest Communications International Inc. — Managed hosting with ownership of Tier 1 worldwide network backbone.

Verio Inc. — Flexible, full menu of a la carte offerings from co-location to managed hosting. Tier 1 backbone provider in the United States and Asia, and will add Europe this year.