The Netherlands' Second Internet Exchange Boosts Dutch Connectivity; New Exchange in Enschede Promises to Increase Speeds and Cut Costs.

Business Editors

ENSCHEDE, The Netherlands--(BUSINESS WIRE)--November 17, 2000

In January 2001, Enschede, the Netherlands, will become home to the country's second Internet Exchange, NDIX. A Dutch-German initiative, the NDIX will greatly improve Internet access for both individuals and businesses in the eastern part of the Netherlands. The project represents an investment of over 1 million Guilders (almost US $400,000) by a consortium of private and public sector organizations, and is expected to become a considerable incentive for information and communications technology (ICT) companies to locate in the area.

The Netherlands already boasts Europe's largest Internet Exchange, AMS-IX in Amsterdam. The idea for this second Internet Exchange originated from the collaborative efforts of Twente University, the City of Enschede and the Development and Investment Agency for the Province of Overijssel (OOM N.V.). The province of Overijssel will also be involved in its development. NDIX will be housed at the former site of De Nederlandsche Bank, located in the Business & Science Park immediately adjacent to Twente University. The exchange's technology is managed by Virtu B.V. in Enschede.

When the new exchange is finished, it will augment Internet speed, bandwidth and reliability, and reduce costs for ICT companies. Without the nearby presence of an Internet exchange, electronic communications between two adjacent companies might be routed via faraway connections in cities such as New York and Washington, DC. This inefficient routing can cause major delays and incur significant costs.

NDIX will work as a large intersection for Internet traffic originating from a number of interconnected networks. The greater the number of points connected by these networks, the faster and more reliable the connections become. As Internet providers such as UUNet, Essent, KPN, Level3 and Versatel have installed their own broadband infrastructures, the number of these networks has greatly increased. This new Internet exchange is designed to be fully independent from telecommunications operators and ISP's (Internet service providers) so as to give no preference to any particular network provider.

NDIX also offers the advantage of a sister location in Germany and connections to local and regional high-speed networks on both sides of the Dutch-German border. Within the Netherlands, NDIX will join a web of next generation Internet projects being jointly developed by Twente University, the National Telematics Institute and a number of companies. A research and development network called TRENT has already been laid between Twente University's fast infrastructure and corporations in the Enschede Business and Science Park. These developments will receive an extra boost from NDIX's arrival.

For more information, visit: http://www.ndix.net