The London Internet Exchange (LINX) has announced its new interconnection hub, LINX Mombasa, is now operational. This is a multi-site interconnected Internet Exchange Point (IXP) within the iColo MBA1 and MBA2 data centers. This development comes a little over 12 months since LINX launched its first IXP on the continent, LINX Nairobi.
The LINX-operated IXP lowers latency and helps improve overall performance and control. It is a resilient, future-proof fabric providing a central meeting point for networks to pass their online traffic and keep it closer to the end user.
Mombasa is one of the most internationally connected locations in Africa having up to seven submarine cables connecting Kenya to the entire coastline of Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and Asia.
LINX Mombasa will provide both content delivery networks and local ISPs an alternative place to interconnect with additional services available across a resilient and redundant platform.
LINX Head of Global Engagement, Nurani Nimpuno said, “We are thrilled to be extending our synergies with iColo with whom we have had a successful journey at LINX Nairobi. We were seeing a demand for LINX services in Mombasa when we came to Kenya, and I am very pleased we can now start delivering the same value here.”
LINX will be the first IXP to have a physical presence in both locations. The technical setup will mimic the engineering at LINX Nairobi using Nokia switches.
Ranjith Cherickel, Founder & Chief Executive Officer of iColo said, “We are delighted to host LINX Mombasa at our highly connected data center facilities; MBA1 and MBA2. This collaboration underscores our commitment to providing best-in-class infrastructure and services that drive digital transformation in Africa. The new IXP will create significant opportunities for partnerships, innovation, and growth in the region.”
With the additional exchange point at iColo’s Mombasa campus, the peering traffic will continue to experience an upward trajectory and Mombasa City will continue to be the Gateway to East Africa.
