Tier 1 bandwith is not necesarily better than tier 2 bandwith, it really depends on how you hookup to that provider. I can show you tier 1 ATT bandwith that has 4 or 5 hops to get out, if you have your own AS numbers and are peered with your provider and have the knowledge you can even make cogent bandwith seem like tier 1 bandwith. I just dont get all this bullshit 1 upsmanship, if your setup properly and not oversold your hosting will be fast and reliable Period!!!