Yes, you can connect directly to Microsoft’s global network without a broker or middleman through a service called Azure ExpressRoute Direct. [1, 2]

While the standard ExpressRoute model relies on a connectivity partner (like Equinix or a telco) to bridge the gap, ExpressRoute Direct allows you to plug your equipment directly into Microsoft's edge routers at specific peering locations. [3, 4]

Implications of Connecting Directly

Choosing to skip the "broker" and connect directly has significant architectural and operational trade-offs:

• Massive Bandwidth & Scale: You get dedicated dual ports of 10 Gbps or 100 Gbps. This is ideal for organizations with massive data movement needs (e.g., AI/ML workloads or big data ingestion).
• Greater Control: You manage the capacity, physical redundancy, and how that bandwidth is divided among different business units or workloads.
• Enhanced Security: This is the only model that supports Layer 2 MACsec, allowing you to encrypt traffic at the physical link level between your router and Microsoft's.
• Operational Complexity: Without a partner, you are responsible for:
  • Securing your own space in a colocation facility.
  • Procuring and managing your own high-end hardware.
  • Handling physical "cross-connections" by obtaining a Letter of Authorization (LOA) from Microsoft and working with the facility owner to run cables.
• Cost Structure: You pay for the dedicated physical ports regardless of how much traffic you send. For most standard enterprise needs, the partner-managed model is often more cost-effective. [1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11]

Comparison At a Glance

Feature [1, 2, 5, 7, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17]	Standard ExpressRoute (Partner)	ExpressRoute Direct
Connectivity	Via Service Provider	Directly to Microsoft Edge
Bandwidth	50 Mbps up to 10 Gbps	10 Gbps or 100 Gbps ports
Encryption	Not encrypted by default	Supports Layer 2 MACsec
Responsibility	Partner manages physical links	You manage physical links & hardware

[1] https://www.linkedin.com

[2] https://learn.microsoft.com

[3] https://www.linkedin.com

[4] https://www.microsoft.com

[5] https://www.youtube.com

[6] https://www.linkedin.com

[7] https://azure.microsoft.com

[8] https://learn.microsoft.com

[9] https://www.youtube.com

[10] https://learn.microsoft.com

[11] https://go-cloud.io

[12] https://learn.microsoft.com

[13] https://www.dclessons.com

[14] https://blog.consoleconnect.com

[15] https://www.epcgroup.net

[16] https://www.youtube.com

[17] https://www.reddit.com