MAE

Short for Metropolitan Area Ethernet, a Network Access Point (NAP) where Internet Service Providers (ISPs) can connect with each other. The original MAE was set up by a company called MFS and is based in Washington, D.C. Later, MFS built another one in Silicon Valley, dubbed MAE-West. In addition to the MAEs from MFS, there are many other NAPs. Although MAE refers really only to the NAPs from MFS, the two terms are often used interchangeably.

Metropoliten Area Exchange or Metropoliten Area Ethernet. A major internet Network Access Point(NAP) where different providers and networks hand off traffic to each other.