Leeds Internet Exchange Launches Yorkshire onto the Global Internet Map

Leeds Internet Exchange Launches Yorkshire onto the Global Internet Map

LEEDS, England, February 8, 2012/PRNewswire/ --

    Thursday 16th February 2012 shall mark the launch of IXLeeds, a neutral not-for-profit
Internet Exchange Point (IXP) based in Leeds. Its main objectives are to allow Internet
Service Providers (ISPs) in the north of the UK to provide faster, cheaper broadband, and
make Yorkshire less dependent upon London.

    The Olympic Games will place a greatly increased demand on London's resources, so it's
paramount that Yorkshire reduces its reliance on London's Internet infrastructure.

    Also, In order for Internet services to become faster and more competitive, there is a
need for all ISPs to exchange traffic with social networks and streaming media (such as
on-demand and Internet TV). On top of this, as mobile download speeds get faster, the need
to handle this data regionally becomes even more important. Regional internet exchanges
such as IXLeeds are key to making this happen.

    IXLeeds, based in aql.com's data facility in the heart of the city, will be the first
exchange of its kind in Yorkshire. The official launch event is a key turning point in its
development, which grew out of a working group set up back in 2008 to promote
collaboration between operators in Yorkshire. The exchange is not just a place for ISPs to
exchange traffic, but is also dedicated to bringing global Internet expertise to the
region, benefiting existing initiatives, such as the rollout of 'superfast broadband' and
metropolitan Internet services.

    The bottom line: According to a leading industry report : "80 new jobs are created for
every 1000 new broadband connections."

    Communications Minister, Ed Vaizey said "We must ensure the UK has the digital
infrastructure necessary to drive sustainable growth. Projects like IXLeeds will provide
cities and regions with better Internet services, which they can use to develop new
products, reach new markets and create new jobs."

    Andy Davidson, Board Chair, says; 'Welcome to Booming Yorkshire - the second largest
region in the UK by GDP. IXLeeds allows all ISPs in Yorkshire to develop their
connectivity strategy and to reduce reliance on London, enabling internet traffic to take
a more direct route between ISPs in the north. This will improve the efficiency of the
Internet, resulting in a better service for the end user.'

    The launch event will be held at The Carriage Works in Leeds. It's open to both
members and non-members and is free to register. Attendees will be able to find out more
about IXLeeds as well as hear from industry speakers Robert Ling (Broadband Delivery UK -
the Government vehicle for delivery of policy on broadband), John Souter (LINX, the London
Internet Exchange) and Dr Adam Beaumont (aql - a Leeds based telecommunications operator).

   
    Event Information:
    - IXLeeds Official Launch Event
    - Thursday 16th February 2012
    - Carriage Works, Millennium Square, Leeds
    - 3.30pm onwards
    - Free entry: http://www.ixleeds.net/event/ixleeds1/index.html

    Notes for Editors:

    IXLeeds Ltd, 11-15 Hunslet Road, Leeds, LS10 1JQ

    http://www.ixleeds.net

    IXLeeds is a limited company with an experienced board of four directors and a company
secretary, elected by its membership.

    Chair: Andy Davidson (Hurricane Electric). Andy sits on the board of directors of
LONAP, another neutral Internet Exchange point in the UK. Through his work as a chair of
the European IX Working group at RIPE he has tutored operators in Eastern Europe, Russia
and the Middle East on building commercially and technically stable Internet Exchange
Points.

Source: aql

For interviews or more information: Emma Frost, Communications Director, IXLeeds, emma@ixleeds.net ; - Dan Ray, aql, dan.ray@uk.aql.com : Telephone : +44(0)1133-20-30-85