CIRA announces new Internet exchange point to bring expanded Internet connectivity to Moncton

Service allows local businesses and ISPs to peer with content providers, increasing performance and lowering costs

MONCTON, NB, April 26, 2017 /CNW/ - The Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA) is driving a vision to build a better online Canada and joins local leaders today to celebrate the opening of Moncton's first Internet exchange point (IXP). Moncton is the eleventh Internet exchange point (IXP) in Canada and the second in Atlantic Canada (joining the Halifax IXP), helping connect New Brunswick users to the global Internet.

An Internet exchange point is a hub where independent networks can interconnect directly to one another, providing high-bandwidth and low-latency access at a lower cost than traditional transit.

"Having a new Internet Exchange Point presence in our City is a very positive step forward for our region and really enhances our digital footprint within the Maritimes," said Dawn Arnold, Mayor of the City of Moncton. "We are eager to continue growing our Internet ecosystem, and today's announcement will no doubt bring more prominent content providers to our doorstep such as CIRA."

"Internet networks and applications drive the modern global economy," stated Hunter Newby, co-owner of Fibre Centre "With the launch of this new Internet exchange, global networks will more easily and economically be able to enter and serve the local market, creating more options for network service buyers. We are very pleased to be a part of this most important development for Moncton and the province."

"This new Internet exchange point in New Brunswick is very important to our provincial innovation agenda and to our collective security as we connect our communities. This partnership, supported by CIRA's unique tools and insight, helps to establish a more resilient and safe Internet for our communities and sets us on a course to establish a more secure Internet in Canada," said Allen Dillon, managing director, CyberNB. "This new exchange point helps to protect New Brunswick businesses by accessing more data locally in Canada versus transiting information through the United States. This is an essential step to help protect our data and information sovereignty as we continue to build our economy on the internet."

Attend the Moncton IXP launch press conference

655 Main St, Moncton, NB E1C 1E8

April 26, 2017 at 10:30am

Representatives from Moncton's Internet community will be available for comment and questions.

Moncton's Internet exchange is supported by the Canadian Internet Registration Authority, Fibre Centre, CyberNB, and Halifax Internet Exchange.

Learn more about IXPs in Canada.

About the Canadian Internet Registration Authority

The Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA) manages the .CA top-level domain on behalf of all Canadians. CIRA also develops technologies and services that help support its goal of building a better online Canada. The CIRA team operates one of the fastest-growing ccTLDs, a high-performance global DNS network, and one of the world's most advanced back-end registry solutions.

About Fibre Centre

Fibre Centre is a network-neutral data centre and interconnection facility located at 770 St. George Blvd in Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada. The business was created to provide an important and strategic access point to the numerous fibre-based submarine and terrestrial carrier networks that pass through the Province of New Brunswick, the hub of Atlantic Canada, creating economic development and growth opportunities for the region. For more information visit www.fibrecentre.com.

About CyberNB

CyberNB, a special operating agency of Opportunities NB, is Canada's first comprehensive Cybersecurity Strategy. CyberNB is executing a deliberate action plan to build upon New Brunswick's world-class industry cluster to enhance workforce development, education and cybersecurity research.

About Halifax Internet Exchange

The Halifax Internet Exchange is a federally incorporated not-for-profit corporation whose mandate is to provide a meet-me point for multiple Internet networks and Internet service providers. Networks are able to directly connect with one another to exchange local Internet traffic. The Halifax Internet Exchange operates the ethernet switching platform, route reflectors, and other services used to interconnect member networks.

SOURCE Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA)

Alison Gareau, Canadian Internet Registration Authority, [email protected], [phone] x234; Tanya Pash, Fibre Centre, [email protected], [phone]