(WEB HOST INDUSTRY REVIEW) — European carrier-neutral data center operator Interxion (www.interxion.com) and the Amsterdam Internet Exchange (www.ams-ix.net), the world’s largest single metro area Internet exchange, will be extending the AMS-IX exchange infrastructure into Interxion’s recently expanded AMS5 data center, also located in Amsterdam.
Signed at international Internet forum RIPE 58 (www.ripe.net) in Amsterdam, this agreement will allow Interxion’s Amsterdam customers to reduce latency and transit costs by peering directly across the AMS-IX switch, according to Interxion’s Wednesday announcement. In turn, AMS-IX members will be able to expand their applications infrastructure in the security of Interxion’s 4,500 square meter (or nearly 15,000 square foot) facility, which houses more than 500 connected pan-European carriers and ISPs.
AMS-IX has scheduled the installation of the switch for the end of the second quarter of 2009, and will start provisioning new connections in the following quarter.
“Despite the current economic climate, levels of Internet traffic continue to rise, so our members need to enhance their connectivity and expand their infrastructure,” said Job Witteman, CEO of AMS-IX. “Interxion is home to a vibrant community which includes many of Europe’s leading carriers and ISPs, and its Amsterdam facility can provide world-class data center infrastructure and services, making it the perfect partner from the point view of both the exchange and its members.”
Located in Amsterdam, AMS-IX is a non-profit, neutral and independent Internet exchange that currently connects more than 300 international parties. AMS-IX is the largest European Internet exchange by traffic volume and the 15th European Internet exchange to locate in one of Interxion’s 24 European data centers.
Interxion Netherlands managing director Michel van den Assem said Interxion’s partnership with AMS-IX brings benefits to both organizations’ customers. “At Interxion, AMS-IX members can build out secure, serviced network and content delivery infrastructure as needed, and Interxion customers can gain improvements in quality and cost-effectiveness by peering directly at AMS-IX.”
Amsterdam has been the location of a number of data center deals this week. Earlier this week, network service provider Mzima Networks (www.mzima.net) expanded into two colocation facilities in Amsterdam, run by premium, network-independent data center provider TelecityGroup (www.telecity.com), extending Mzima’s network reach in Europe. The deal also makes Mzima’s IP transit and transport services available in more than 40 carrier-neutral facilities across North America, Europe and Asia, and extending its network reach to more than 50 carriers already colocated with TelecityGroup in the Netherlands.
