The London Internet Exchange (LINX) and interconnection incubator Asteroid have entered a cooperative agreement to transition Asteroid’s customer networks in Kenya to LINX’s interconnection hubs in Nairobi and Mombasa. The transition will run through the end of 2025 and will see Asteroid gradually wind down its operations in the country.
Under the agreement, Asteroid customers connected at its Nairobi and Mombasa internet exchanges will move to LINX platforms. Both companies will jointly support the migration process to ensure a smooth transition for networks.
“We are very proud of our achievements in Kenya over the last five years,” said Remco van Mook, CEO of Asteroid. “Asteroid entering the market drastically changed the landscape for interconnectivity. We are excited to have entered into this agreement with LINX and trust they will continue our mission to support the growth of interconnection in East Africa.”
Asteroid, which has incubated three interconnection markets globally, considers its role in Kenya fulfilled. LINX, known for operating large internet exchange points (IXPs), will take over management and expand the scope of services available to local networks.
Jennifer Holmes, CEO of LINX, said,
“We feel very privileged to carry on the baton so to speak. We will drive to continue the amazing work Asteroid has achieved in Kenya and look forward to working with their customers on the next step of their interconnection journey.”
For networks connected in Nairobi and Mombasa, the move brings continuity with additional benefits. LINX will provide access to a global ecosystem of peers through its hubs in the UK, the US, and soon Ghana. Customers will also gain access to services such as LINX Private VLAN, Microsoft Azure Peering Service (MAPS) and 24/7 engineering support.
Kenya has become a regional connectivity hub thanks to multiple subsea cable landings in Mombasa and its growing role in cloud and data center infrastructure. IXPs such as those built by Asteroid have been instrumental in keeping internet traffic local, reducing latency and reducing the costs for service providers.
The handover to LINX could help accelerate Kenya’s integration into worldwide interconnection systems. Access to global peers may help local ISPs, content delivery networks and enterprises improve performance and reach.
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Also Read: LINX Expands Nairobi Internet Exchange to PAIX to Improve Regional Connectivity