yRe: more specific routes in today reality

And my point was that many ISPs will one use *one* last-mile provider each, in those territories where there is competition. So taking service from two selected ISPs will bring you services from two last-mile providers in turn.

Most ISPs will *not* provide diversely purchased local-loop connections.

This will vary alot, depending on country. In some countries, you will find one provider giving you redundant connections, you will find carriers using dual providers, and you will find countries that still have a PTT monopoly. There is not a "single" scenario. This however, does not mean though that multiple uplinks to more than one provider gives you more security than mulitple uplinks to one. - kurtis -