By Contributing Editor, Kathy Xu
Data Center POST recently interviewed Franck Simon, Managing Director of France-IX, during International Telecoms Week (ITW) 2016 to discuss the ways in which the company is solving challenges within the market as well as Mr. Simon’s perception of key industry drivers.
Data Center POST, Kathy Xu (DCP-KX) Question: Tell me about France-IX; who you are, what you do, and what problem you solve in the market.
France-IX, Franck Simon, MD (FRANCE-IX-FS) Answer: France-IX, founded in 2010, is the country’s largest Internet exchange, aggregating more than 300 members in Paris with 10 Points of Presence (PoPs), and 20 members in Marseille with two PoPs. When the company was created, most of the country had no carrier-neutral points from which they could connect to operators. So, in order to meet this need, France-IX was purposely developed as a powerful Internet exchange for the enablement of global Internet peering.
(DCP-KX) Q: France-IX has an impressive IXP in France with over 300 members (congratulations); do you have any plans to expand out of France and Marseille?
(FRANCE-IX-FS) A: We do have plans to expand outside of these two cities, however it’s still undecided where. Our strategy is constantly evolving as the organization grows and will lead us to an ultimate decision when the time comes.
(DCP-KX) Q: Internet exchange platforms appear to be booming throughout the world. What is a key driver enabling your business to grow?
(FRANCE-IX-FS) A: The modern Internet exchange market is driven by community expectations, and our goal is simply to meet our customers’ wants and needs at every turn. One way we have worked toward achieving that goal is through the recent announcement of our Marketplace program, which enables service providers to offer members various solutions including IP Transit, Anti-DDoS solutions and IP VPNs. As we experience a growing number of corporate entities entering the peering community, this platform generates an inclusive environment for all organizations, rather than the select tech-savvy among us.
(DCP-KX) Q: What do you hope you accomplished at ITW?
(FRANCE-IX-FS) A: We are expecting high growth within our Marseille market, and ITW has provided an excellent platform to meet with operators.
(DCP-KX) Q: Is there anything else you would like to add?
(FRANCE-IX-FS) A: We want to change the way the industry thinks about Internet exchange. It is not a customer of the marketplace, but a market in its own right. Today, France-IX is driving the industry toward this new concept one member at a time.
If you are interested in learning more about France-IX, please visit: www.franceix.net
