Colt to expand Pan-European network reach into Iceland

Colt, Europe’s leading information delivery platform, today announced plans to extend its European network into Iceland with a new Point-of-Presence (PoP) located in Verne Global’s new dual-sourced 100 per cent renewably powered data centre campus in Keflavik. The new PoP will connect Colt’s extensive pan-European access and backbone network with the Verne’s data centre site, providing a gateway connection from mainland Europe into Iceland.

Colt will build a diverse ring linking the site in Iceland with two separate geographical points within Colt’s infrastructure, in both Amsterdam and London, ensuring the highest levels of network availability and resilience. The connection to Iceland, due to be completed by mid 2012, broadens the availability of Colt’s integrated network and computing solutions for enterprises, carriers and channel partners. The new PoP adds to Colt’s extensive information delivery platform combining 19 Colt data centres and a 35,000km high-performance network in 21 European countries and the USA.

“Given its location and abundance of natural resources for renewable energy, Iceland is expected to become the new epicentre for business between the USA and mainland Europe, and as such, it is an important strategic step for us to expand our network presence into this region,” said François Eloy, Executive Vice President at Colt. “We are strongly committed to the continued expansion of our information delivery platform’s capabilities throughout Europe.”

As a primary networking partner, Colt will provide Verne Global’scustomers with access to high-performance network connectivity with managed IT infrastructure and services across Europe. In addition, the new PoP will enable Colt to offer end-to-end solutions between Iceland and the rest of Europe including colocation, managed IT services and the network access vital for delivery, backed by stringent Service Level Agreements (SLAs).

“As a leading provider of network access with a network that stretches across Europe, Colt is the natural choice of partner for our Iceland data centre campus,” said Jeff Monroe, CEO of Verne Global. “As a multi-service provider, Colt provides our customers with an excellent option for connectivity, but also access to its extensive IT services portfolio.”

The installation of Colt’s POP follows the successful installation of a Colt Data Centre Services 500m2 modular data centre hall into Verne Global’s campus in Iceland.