Internet Exchange Operators LINX, STC Partner to Open Internet Exchange in Jeddah

London Internet Exchange (LINX) and Saudi Telecom Company (STC), on December 7th 2018 marked the start of JED-IX driven by LINX, an Internet exchange in Jeddah (JED-IX), Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).

John Souter, CEO of LINX, said: "JED-IX driven by LINX is a real step forward for the Internet community in Saudi and the GCC as a whole. The exchange will allow networks to stop 'tromboning' traffic to London and back again, and will help increase resilience by creating a new centre for interconnection in the KSA.”

Kurt Erik Lindqvist, CMO of LINX announced, “The new partnership between LINX and STC forms an exciting milestone in the expansion of LINX global presence and builds on LINX’s aim of ‘Working for the Good of the Internet’ globally.”

LINX, one of the world's largest Internet Exchanges, based in London, UK, has provided the expertise and will support the operation of JED-IX driven by LINX going forward. JED-IX is a neutral Internet traffic exchange platform that interconnects global networks and, above all, network operators and content providers in the GCC region. The JED-IX is built on a fully redundant switching platform located in a neutral secure STC datacenter in Jeddah.

Alan Whelan, VP of STC Wholesale, commented – “STC’s ambition is to develop JED-IX into the leading internet and data hub in the MENA region. In LINX we have a global leading IX partner who will help accelerate the delivery of this ambition and create a thriving interconnection eco system in the Kingdom.”

STC, Saudi’s incumbent operator and the largest operator in the MENA region, is pleased to announce its new partnership with LINX, as part of its initiative to deliver on its mandate to establish Saudi Arabia as the key Hub for telecoms connectivity, in the MENA region, as part of the Saudi Vision 2030.

The London Internet Exchange (LINX) is one of the largest Internet exchanges in the world, connecting over 850 member ASNs from 80 countries around the globe. LINX continues to expand their London presence with 16 locations across London along with regional exchanges in Wales, Manchester and Scotland. LINX also operates an Internet exchange in the Ashburn metro area in the US just outside Washington DC.