Pulsant is hosting Scotland’s first dedicated Internet Exchange Point (IXP). Pulsant was selected by London Internet Exchange (LINX) who developed the IXP. The new exchange has been successfully implemented and is due to see its first Internet traffic in the next few days.
The IXP, IXScotland, is hosted at Pulsant’s South Gyle data centre in Edinburgh and ensures Internet service providers in the region can quickly and securely deliver traffic to one another. As a result, businesses and consumers will have access to better connectivity with reduced latency and improved resilience.
“IXScotland is a real step forward for the Internet community in Scotland and the UK as a whole,” says John Souter, CEO, LINX. “The exchange will allow networks to stop so-called tromboning traffic to London and back again, and will help increase resilience by creating a new centre for interconnection in the UK.”
Matt Lovell, chief technical officer, Pulsant, says that in light of the Government’s plans to roll out higher speed broadband across the UK and Scotland, the new exchange is a definite boost for the region and offers both ISPs and Internet users considerable benefits.
“Pulsant will now work with individual ISPs and organisations that will make use of the infrastructure, as well as our data hosting services, to assist in building a larger connected network.”
The launch was welcomed by the Scottish Government. Finance Secretary John Swinney, who announced the launch on Monday, says: “We are delighted to welcome the establishment of a dedicated Internet Exchange Point for Scotland which will speed up internet access for businesses and individuals.
“This industry-led IXP will allow Internet service providers to securely pass traffic to each other in Scotland, enhancing the digital offering both within and outside of Scotland.
“I also want to recognise the key contribution of LINX, who have worked with the industry and Scottish Government to make this happen.
“Along with our investment in next generation broadband and measures to increase digital participation, this investment represents a further step on Scotland's journey to becoming a world leading digital nation by 2020.”
