IDA Ireland and INEX sign agreement to take Ireland’s Internet Hub to International Stage

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Micheál Martin TD, today (17^th February 2005) welcomed an announcement by IDA Ireland that it has signed an agreement with INEX (Internet Neutral Exchange Association) to provide support to develop the existing Irish internet exchange into an international exchange. This agreement will strengthen Ireland’s position in the global internet community. INEX is the Irish internet hub where IP (internet protocol) traffic is exchanged between carriers, internet service providers and digital content providers.

Minister Martin said “We have been very successful in attracting internet and technology companies to Ireland and boast excellent existing services in terms of the bandwidth, co-location facilities and personnel available to meet their current and future needs.”

“This International Internet Hub is a critical part of Ireland’s infrastructure, as highlighted by the Forfás Digital Content Report in 2002. The development of the INEX Internet Exchange will enhance the attraction of Ireland to companies looking for an international location for their operations. This will be world-class infrastructure attracting world-class companies.”

The Forfás Digital Content Report 2002 recommended the establishment of an effective international internet exchange in Ireland and this agreement paves the way to delivering that key requirement. With many internet content and service providers needing access to an international internet exchange, INEX will be in a position to provide this; significantly improving the overall Irish digital offering.

Developments planned under this agreement will include the expansion of the INEX internet exchange infrastructure and locations and substantially increasing membership numbers and traffic volumes. An additional element of the agreement will see IDA Ireland highlighting the INEX facility to prospect companies around the world through its overseas office network. Initially, the exchange will operate out of two linked data centres in Dublin – Data Electronics in Clondalkin and TeleCity in Citywest Business Park, Saggart.

“This agreement presents an excellent opportunity for INEX to become a significant element of the global internet infrastructure,” said Barry Rhodes, General Manager of INEX. “The exchange has been developed to-date with the co-operation of the most advanced and progressive internet organisations in Ireland. This agreement with IDA will enable us to attract further internet service and content providers from Ireland and around the world and enhance the exchange for the benefit of the members and ultimately their customers.”

Membership of INEX has grown by 70% in the past quarter and saw the addition of Microsoft as its first digital content service provider member. The existing impressive list of members includes; Bytel; Cable & Wireless; Clearwire Ireland; Colt Telecom; Digiweb; eircom; EsatBT; HEAnet; Hosting365; Internet Ireland; Irish Broadband; Magnet Networks; Microsoft; Netsource; NTL; Smart Telecom; Strencom.