AFR-IX telecom expands its peering network with Asteroid Mombasa IXP, a strategic centre to improve connectivity in the East African subregion

• The company strengthens its Pan-African Network, which currently has four African IXPs in Nigeria, South Africa, Djibouti and the recent addition of Kenya.

• Mombasa, a major Kenyan city, emerges as one of the main hubs for Internet traffic in East Africa.

KENYA, 16th March 2021 – AFR-IX telecom, a global Internet service provider operating in more than 50 countries in Africa that delivers data and Internet services for businesses, international carriers and telecom operators, is expanding its peer-to-peer network with an agreement with Asteroid Internet Exchange Point (IXP).

AFR-IX thus reinforces its Pan-African Network, which currently has four IXPs or Internet exchange points in Africa: NAPAfrica (South Africa), IXPN (Nigeria), DjIX (Djibouti) and the recent addition of Asteroid IXP, located in Mombasa (Kenya). The activation of this last IXP in Kenya is strategic for the company, as it facilitates peering Kenyan ISPs as well as international networks, thus reinforcing connectivity in the Eastern sub-region of the continent in a location, Mombasa, which is set to become a major gateway for submarine fiber optic cables and is already emerging as one of the main hubs for Internet traffic in East Africa. 

As Louis Carver, Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) at AFR-IX telecom, points out, Asteroid IXP reinforces the company’s strong network of peerings, IXP connections that are a guarantee to meet the needs of each customer:

Our peering policy places us (AS 60171) at multiple and major internet exchanges in Europe, North America and firmly in Africa. Today, we have added the Asteroid IX in Mombasa to our already growing peering community across the continent.

As part of our extensive resilient and robust African network coverage, we at AFR-IX Telecom, have the capability to provide a global ICT offer, focusing on our very local and regional customers’ requirements.

Asteroid Mombasa IXP presents itself as a valuable partner for East Africa. In just one year of operation, it has connected more than 15 networks of all sizes and origins: Kenyan ISPs, content providers and networks operating in Mauritius and Rwanda.

It cannot be overlooked that, thanks to IXP connections, end users experience reduced traffic costs and improved routing routes resulting in better network performance. In Africa, improved connectivity requires a strong peering network such as that provided by AFR-IX telecom and its Pan-African Network, which offers a sort of Internet Exchange Point “triangle” to cover a large part of the African continent: Nigeria (West sub-region) – South Africa (South sub-region) – Djibouti + Kenya (East sub-region).

About Asteroid

Asteroid is a global interconnection platform innovator. They operate neutral Internet exchange points (IXPs) worldwide, and work with trusted parties in local markets to deliver their innovative IXP platform locally, wherever there is a need.

The Asteroid IXP model is a return to the original spirit of simple, efficient interconnection but built on state-of-the-art technology, lightweight and scalable architecture, and advanced toolsets.

Asteroid IXPs provide a simple, modern and cost-effective way to peer with some of the largest networks in the world. With its nimble, yet powerful design, the Asteroid platform sets a new standard for IXPs.

About AFR-IX

AFR-IX telecom is a licensed telecommunication operator that delivers Data, MPLS, SDN and advanced Managed solutions in Africa to Corporates, International Carriers and Telecommunication Operators in Africa.

AFR-IX Telecom already Holder of licenses in Spain (CNMC electronic and submarine), Portugal (Anacom), USA (FCC), Nigeria (NCC), Ghana (NCC), DRC (ART), Mali (ARCEP), Burkina Faso (ARCEP), Sierra Leone (NATCOM), Cameroun (ART), and it’s in the process of getting more in the coming months.

By integrating operations, managed services and strategy, its pioneering methodology allows the set-up of a complete IT infrastructure to all entities based on the continent.

AFR-IX telecom has the most reliable and largest Metro Ethernet Pan African Network and offers a global coverage services in Africa. Thanks to its more than 50 POPs in Africa, Europe and America, AFR-IX provides reliable and resilient connectivity with countries connected by subsea and terrestrial cables.

Committed to deliver the best services, AFR-IX telecom integrates the forces that profile the future of the telecom industry and the surrounding societies.