Azure ExpressRoute is a powerful solution for businesses needing secure, private, and high-performance connectivity between their on-premises infrastructure and Microsoft Azure. Unlike traditional internet-based connections, it offers greater reliability, lower latency, and consistent performance. With Tata Communications as your trusted connectivity partner, you gain seamless access to Azure ExpressRoute, which is backed by end-to-end support and global network expertise. Whether you're handling sensitive data or running critical workloads, this is a smart step toward building a high-performance hybrid cloud strategy with predictable Azure ExpressRoute pricing—powered by Tata Communications MCC.

Introduction to Azure ExpressRoute

Azure ExpressRoute is a connectivity service that lets you establish private, secure connections between your on-premises systems and Microsoft cloud platforms like Azure and Microsoft 365. Bypassing the public internet offers improved reliability, faster speeds, and enhanced security for critical workloads and data transfers. Ideal for businesses seeking consistent network performance, Azure ExpressRoute ensures smooth, low-latency access to cloud services—making it a trusted choice for enterprise-grade cloud integration across industries.

Key Features and Components of Azure ExpressRoute

Azure ExpressRoute helps businesses connect to Microsoft cloud services through a secure, high-speed private network. With Tata Communications, it becomes a fully managed, enterprise-ready solution.

• Private Connectivity: Tata Communications enables private connections that bypass the public internet, offering consistent performance and lower latency for mission-critical workloads.
• Layer 3 Network Support: ExpressRoute operates at layer 3, giving you IP-level routing control between your network and Microsoft services, ensuring smoother traffic flow and better management.
• Redundancy Built-In: Each ExpressRoute circuit includes redundant connections at each peering location, giving your business a resilient, always-on experience.
• Global Reach: Tata Communications leverages its extensive global network to help you connect to Microsoft Azure regions worldwide, no matter where your business is based.
• Access to Microsoft Services: ExpressRoute gives you direct access to Azure, Microsoft 365, and Dynamics 365, improving user experience and productivity across services.
• Flexible Bandwidth Options: Choose from multiple bandwidth options to match your workload needs with transparent and predictable ExpressRoute pricing.

Pricing Structure of Azure ExpressRoute

When planning your connectivity to Microsoft Azure, understanding the pricing of ExpressRoute is key. It's built for performance and privacy but comes with a structured cost. Here's how it works:

• ExpressRoute Direct: This offers a direct line into Microsoft's global network through peering locations. It's ideal for large enterprises, especially in sectors like finance or government. Pricing starts with a monthly port fee of around $6,000 to $8,500 USD for a 10Gbps port. If you need more, premium circuit charges apply.

• Global Reach lets you link different on-premises networks through Azure, creating your own private WAN. Microsoft recently halved its data transfer charges—starting from $0.02 per GB in Zone 1 to $0.11 in Zone 3. Keep in mind that the charges are two-way, plus there's a Global Reach Add-On fee.

Tata Communications MCC provides a unified platform for managing ExpressRoute circuits globally, with integrated visibility, compliance, and policy controls—ideal for enterprises scaling across regions.

Benefits of Using Azure ExpressRoute for Enterprise Connectivity

For enterprises aiming to achieve secure, high-performance cloud connectivity, Azure ExpressRoute—delivered through trusted partners like Tata Communications—offers a seamless and private link to Microsoft Azure. With years of network expertise and a global footprint, Tata Communications ensures smooth deployment, reliable uptime, and enterprise-grade network performance for every ExpressRoute setup.

• Faster Speeds and Lower Latency: By bypassing the public internet, ExpressRoute enables faster and more consistent data transfer—perfect for real-time applications and large data volumes.

• Improved Reliability: The private connection ensures consistent uptime and minimal disruption, helping businesses maintain smooth access to critical cloud services.

• Enhanced Security: Since ExpressRoute doesn't travel over the public internet, it protects sensitive enterprise data in transit.

• Dedicated Bandwidth: With reserved bandwidth, businesses avoid congestion issues, ensuring consistent performance even during peak usage.

• Centralised Network Management: ExpressRoute circuits are easier to control and configure, allowing IT teams to manage the enterprise network centrally without complexity.

• Cost Efficiency: While the Azure ExpressRoute cost may seem high initially, long-term savings emerge through predictable pricing, reduced downtime, and efficient data transfer—especially for large-scale operations.

Tata Communications MCC enhances ExpressRoute connectivity with intelligent routing, full-stack cloud integration, and simplified management for hybrid and multi-cloud environments

Comparing Azure ExpressRoute with Other Connectivity Solutions

When you're deciding how to connect your on-premises infrastructure to Microsoft Azure, it's important to weigh your options carefully. Azure ExpressRoute and VPN Gateway are two common choices, but they serve different needs.

• Azure ExpressRoute creates a private, dedicated connection to Azure—bypassing the public internet completely. That means faster speeds, lower latency, and higher reliability. It's a great fit for businesses that move large volumes of data or run latency-sensitive applications. While the ExpressRoute cost may be higher upfront, the long-term value in performance and stability can often justify it, especially for enterprise-level needs.
• VPN Gateway, on the other hand, connects via the public internet using encrypted VPN tunnels. It's more affordable and simpler to set up, making it suitable for smaller workloads or businesses with limited bandwidth requirements. However, performance can vary depending on internet traffic and quality.
• If your priority is performance, security, and consistent connectivity, an ExpressRoute connection is the better long-term investment—especially when delivered via Tata Communications’ Multi-Cloud Connect, which abstracts complexity and ensures seamless Azure integration across geographies. But if you're looking to get started quickly and at a lower cost, a VPN Gateway could be a good place to begin.

Best Practices for Leveraging Azure ExpressRoute

Tata Communications, we help enterprises unlock the full potential of Azure ExpressRoute by delivering secure, high-performance, and highly available connectivity tailored to mission-critical workloads. Here are some best practices to get the most from your Azure ExpressRoute deployment:

• Choose the Right Circuit: Assess if an ExpressRoute Circuit or ExpressRoute Direct better fits your bandwidth and architectural needs.

• Design for Redundancy: Ensure multi-site deployment with active-active configuration and advertise routes across both circuits.

• Diversify Physical Paths: Use different network providers and routes to establish connectivity for enhanced physical layer diversity.

• Enable BFD: Implement Bidirectional Forwarding Detection for fast failover and improved uptime.

• Use Zone-Redundant Gateways: Deploy across availability zones for added resiliency.

• Plan for Disaster Recovery: Architect redundancy across peering locations and avoid VPN backup for latency-sensitive workloads.

• Implement Monitoring: Use Azure Monitor and Service Health to track performance, alerts, and metrics continuously.

Leverage MCC’s unified orchestration and on-demand provisioning features to quickly deploy ExpressRoute circuits alongside other cloud interconnects like AWS Direct Connect and Google Cloud Interconnect.

Conclusion 

Azure ExpressRoute delivers a powerful, private connection to Microsoft Azure that ensures enterprise-grade performance, security, and scalability. While Azure ExpressRoute pricing may vary based on bandwidth and configuration, the long-term benefits—reliability, speed, and control—far outweigh the investment, especially for data-intensive or mission-critical operations.

Partnering with Tata Communications means leveraging one of the world's most robust and secure global networks, with local expertise and 24/7 support. Through Multi-Cloud Connect, we simplify ExpressRoute deployment and hybrid cloud management, while ensuring secure, low-latency connectivity across your global architecture. Whether you're planning for hybrid cloud, disaster recovery, or global data access, our ExpressRoute connectivity ensures your digital transformation is always on track.