Data Centre firm iColo and global interconnection platform innovator Asteroid have extended their partnership in a new development that will see the latter expand its services to launch an internet exchange point in Nairobi.
The point is scheduled to start its operation in early Q3, 2021.
For context, an internet exchange point is a local access point where networks, including internet services providers and content providers, interconnect in order to exchange their traffic at better costs and in a more resilient and rapid way.
It has always been known that internet exchange points, and their associated features such as peering and caching play a key role in boosting redundancy, offering a better user experience and helps organizations such as iColo cut their operational expenses because they have a direct interconnection, and traffic stays local instead of routing from one service provider to another. This, one the whole, reduces latency and costs via an ISP’s upstream provider.
Asteroid and iColo have been working together since 2018, and Asteroid operates its Mombasa internet exchange point at iColo MBA1 since early 2020.
Also, Asteroid will operate a second city in Kenya, Nairobi, and has chosen to deploy one of its Nairobi IXP points of presence at iColo’s NBO1.
Launched in August 2017, iColo NBO1 houses a total capacity of 280 racks while accommodating 825 KW of IT power.
Any NBO1 tenant owning their own autonomous system number (ASN) will be able to exchange traffic via the Asteroid Nairobi IXP by requesting and using 1Gbps, 10Gbps or 100Gbps ports.
iColo is currently the only carrier-neutral facility provider present in both Mombasa and Nairobi. We’re pleased to reinforce our collaboration by launching our new IXP in their data centre in Nairobi (NBO1) which will add up to the diversity of peers spanning from service providers to financial services institutions to enterprises – Remco van Mook, CEO at Asteroid.
Internet exchange points are a key brick in the wall of flourishing communities. The improved interconnectivity they bring enables businesses to provide their own services in a more efficient and performing manner. We have seen first-hand the positive impact that the Asteroid IXP has made in consolidating a community and building local traffic in Mombasa and we look forward to the same effects in Nairobi – Ranjith Cherickel, CEO at iColo.
