Epoch Networks
Encyclopedia
Epoch Networks was, at one time, the largest privately held first tier internet service provider
Internet service provider
An Internet service provider is a company that provides access to the Internet. Access ISPs directly connect customers to the Internet using copper wires, wireless or fiber-optic connections. Hosting ISPs lease server space for smaller businesses and host other people servers...

 ISP founded by Scott Purcell
Scott Purcell
Scott Purcell was the founder of Epoch Networks, which was the fourth commercial internet backbone ever, raised in excess of $100 million in venture capital and was at one time was the largest privately-held internet service provider in the United States. He also served as a Board Member of the...

 in 1994. It was the fourth commercial internet backbone in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

. Epoch was also one of the first members of the Commercial Internet eXchange
Commercial Internet eXchange
The Commercial Internet eXchange was an early interexchange point that allowed the free exchange of TCP/IP traffic, including commercial traffic, between ISPs. It was an important initial effort toward creating the commercial Internet that we know today.- Goal :The goal of the CIX was to be an...

--for which, Scott Purcell served as a Board member.

An article from ISP Planet states:

"The company got its start in Costa Mesa, California around 1994 when its entire staff consisted of four people with access to a local backbone. By the end of the year, the company was one of the first ISPs connected to the Commercial Internet eXchange
Commercial Internet eXchange
The Commercial Internet eXchange was an early interexchange point that allowed the free exchange of TCP/IP traffic, including commercial traffic, between ISPs. It was an important initial effort toward creating the commercial Internet that we know today.- Goal :The goal of the CIX was to be an...

, a predecessor of today's Network Access Point
Network access point
A Network Access Point was a public network exchange facility where Internet Service Providers connected with one another in peering arrangements. The NAPs were a key component in the transition from the NSFNET era when many networks were government sponsored and commercial traffic was prohibited...

s."
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