FRANCE-IX MERGES WITH REZOPOLE AND REAFFIRMS ITS POSITION OF LEADING MULTI-SERVICE INTERCONNECTION PLATFORM IN FRANCE
This merger will allow both entities to leverage their mutual areas of expertise in order to bring always
more value-added services to their members.
Paris, 14 January 2021 – France-IX, one of the leading IXPs (Internet Exchange Points) in Europe, announced it has completed a merger with Rezopole, the biggest regional Internet Exchange Point in France. This combination is part of France-IX's growth strategy of expanding to national and French speaking territories and strengthening its services portfolio. It will also allow Rezopole to expand further by building on France-IX’s financial, human and technical resources. The combined entity, which will operate under the France-IX name, intends to consolidate its position of leading multi-service interconnection platform in France with a strong positioning on the national territory to deal with international competition.
France-IX is the premier provider of Internet traffic exchange services – also called Peering – in France, offering public and private interconnection services through its carrier and data centre neutral exchange points in Paris and Marseille. Within a few years, France-IX managed to federate the key national and international Internet players on its platform and today counts over 400 members. On the other hand, Rezopole has more than 100 members connected in Lyon and the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, and offers a wide range of services beyond peering services.
“France-IX and Rezopole are non for profit associations based on member subscription, initially created to build communities and services around interconnection with the very different players of the Internet ecosystem” says Christian Kaufmann, President of the France IX board. “This merger is based on a common DNA and will benefit both parties and all their members. 95% of the France-IX members and 94% of the Rezopole members have indeed massively approved it when they voted at our last General Meeting. This is a new step taken today reflecting our will to continuously develop the Internet community in France”.
Toward an expansion on the national and French-speaking territory
France-IX has a deep knowledge of the French Internet industry and intends to share this expertise with the entire global ecosystem. After having federated a great number of international players, the group indeed wants to focus on the French market and consolidate its French-speaking contents which are key to its local and international members. The strategic location of Rezopole in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region (Lyon, Grenoble and Annecy) is a first step towards achieving this goal.
For its part, Rezopole will be able to rely on France-IX’s expertise and infrastructure, its sales force and its solid financial position, and access the biggest national and international Internet players.
In the long term, the new entity will aim to pursue its expansion in strategic cities where the infrastructure already exists, as well as consolidate its presence in the overseas territories and French-speaking countries.
A multi-service platform dedicated to its members
In order to strenghten its role of leading multi-service interconnection platform in France, the merger will allow France-IX to expand its range of services by leveraging on Rezopole’s portfolio and expertise, which includes hosting, NAP, training, consulting and managed services as well as industry promotion. The combined entity will intend to bring quality integrated and complementary services to all members, especially toward corporate enterprises and international customers. It will thus be able to best meet the needs of organisations seeking to optimise their costs and Internet connection as part of their digital transformation.
Franck Simon, President of France IX Services, says: “Considering our expansion objectives both in terms of services and geographic coverage, it was today essential for France-IX to take a further step forward. The merger with Rezopole is perfectly aligned with our growth strategy, which aims to enhance our services offering dedicated to enterprises and expand our territorial footprint while focusing on our real strength, the French-speaking contents.”
Philippe Duby, President of Rezopole, concludes: “We are convinced that this merger is synonymous with sustainability. It is a logical continuation for Rezopole who will leverage France-IX’s technical expertise to keep offering its local services to all the members of the new entity, while pursuing its development on the French market.” Philippe Duby stands as a candidate to join the new Board Committee of France-IX whose members will be all elected next January, 29th.
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To consult the various legal documents, click here.
