AMS-IX (Amsterdam Internet Exchange) in collaboration with the Kenya Internet Exchange Point (KIXP) is set to launch a new exchange hub, the AMS-IX East Africa Exchange Point, in Mombasa, Kenya to enable networks in the African continent to access other networks via a single platform.

According to Job Witteman, CEO at AMS-IX, “East Africa is an important emerging market, led by Kenya, especially from an ICT point of view. Interconnection is becoming more and more essential to enable the region’s developing business activity. Together with KIXP we aim to contribute by helping to improve the African Internet ecosystem.”

The AMS-IX East Africa Exchange platform will provide connectivity from the exchange to Amsterdam s Internet companies in Africa will have the ability to peer with over 600 IP networks at AMS-IX in Amsterdam.

Currently, parties can already order a connection to the AMS-IX East Africa Exchange Point, which is planned to go live mid-November 2013. Available port connections are Ethernet (E), Fast Ethernet (FE), 1 Gigabit Ethernet (GE) and 10GE. When connecting through reseller SEACOM, port capacities from 10 to 1000 Mbps are also offered.

This new professional Internet hub in Kenya will enable AMS-IX and KIXP further extend their partnership which they launched in 2011, with a donation of AMS-IX Gigabit Ethernet equipment.

“Cooperating with a more established global IXP such as AMS-IX has been worthwhile,” said Fiona Asonga, CEO at KIXP. “This partnership is yet another opportunity for KIXP to add value to the local Internet scene both for the operators and consumers who stand to benefit from an enhanced online experience. It is TESPOK’s hope that this arrangement will significantly contribute to Kenya being the ICT hub for the region.”