Data Center POST recently spoke with Mark Cooper, Amsterdam Internet Exchange’s (AMS-IX) Chief Commercial Officer, about what the company plans to accomplish at the upcoming International Telecoms Week (ITW) event, the world’s largest meeting for the global wholesale telecommunications community. ITW 2016 will take place at the Hyatt Regency and Swissotel in Chicago, IL from May 8-11, 2016. In our Q&A with Mr. Cooper, we explored the topic of global Internet exchanges and the ways in which AMS-IX has adapted to the industry’s growing demand for bandwidth. AMS-IX was established in the early 1990s as a not-for-profit organization and is a neutral and independent Internet Exchange based in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. The company now interconnects close to nearly 800 networks by offering professional IP exchange services, also called peering services.
Q and A with Data Center Post’s contributing editor, Kathy Xu
Data Center POST, Kathy Xu (DCP-KX) Question: How has the industry changed in the past year in regard to your global Internet exchange?
AMS-IX, Mark Cooper (AMS-IX-MC) Answer: The global peering and interconnection market in which AMS-IX operates is constantly evolving. This is nothing new. This has already been happening since our establishment in the nineties. We have seen developments such as new types of interconnection platforms entering the market and have continued to experience increased competition from other Internet Exchanges as well as carriers due to the ongoing reduction in IP transit pricing.
DCP-KX Q: What has your company done to be able to further adapt to these changes?
AMS-IX-MC A: Due to the changes within the market where AMS-IX operates we started to reassess our strengths last year. One of the main outcomes is the recognition of our strong technical expertise and market reputation. We have amassed extensive knowledge in building large-scale Internet Exchange platforms and highly valued infrastructure management and customer portal software, which we’ve developed in-house.
Two new projects that have already resulted from our expertise in managing large peering platforms are our strategic partnership with ChinaCache and our agreement with Megaport. We have been supporting ChinaCache in the creation of the first carrier neutral Internet Exchange in China, providing design consultancy and delivering infrastructure management and customer portal software. The agreement with Megaport means that AMS-IX and Megaport have started with interconnecting and combining our platforms in markets where we both have a presence.
The agreement with Megaport and the ChinaCache partnership are prime examples of the new direction AMS-IX is taking. In 2016 and beyond we will further develop this direction by maintaining a focus on our existing platforms and customers.
DCP-KX Q: What do you hope to accomplish at ITW 2016 this year?
AMS-IX-MC A: ITW is the perfect opportunity for us to meet with existing and potential customers as well as other business relations. What we would like to accomplish at this event this year is strengthen the relationship with existing customers and partners, connect to potential new customers and increase the visibility of our services and the benefits that they can bring to businesses.
DCP-KX Q: Is there anything else you wish to add?
AMS-IX-MC A: For the second time, AMS-IX will be organizing its MORE-IP U.S. event. The event will be held on June 16th in Chicago and is bringing together a selection of professionals and decision-makers of the IP interconnection industry. At MORE-IP U.S. they can learn more about AMS-IX’s new direction and services, future developments in the peering and interconnection market, but also meet new parties and strengthen existing business relationships. For more info go to: https://www.more-ip-event.net/us
DCP-KX: Thank you for your time and we hope ITW 2016 is a successful event for you and your team. Readers, if you are interested in learning more about AMS-IX, please visit their website: https://ams-ix.net/
