EdgeConneX®, specializing in global infrastructure solutions at the edge of the network, announces a partnership with Comcast and GREATER MSP (Minneapolis Saint Paul Regional Economic Development Partnership) to bring faster and more resilient cloud and Internet access to the greater Twin Cities area. Available February 2016, the Minneapolis Edge Data Center® (EDC) accelerates local innovation and entrepreneurship through Internet content and cloud services that deliver higher performance and offer more secure access for consumers and enterprise.
“At Comcast, we are committed to bringing consumers more of the content they love at the fastest speeds,” says Jeff Freyer, regional vice president, Comcast Twin Cities. “Partnering with EdgeConneX allows us to continue innovating in the Twin Cities and providing our customers with the most reliable, secure and seamless online experience in the market.”
“GREATER MSP is enthusiastic about welcoming EdgeConneX into the Minneapolis–St. Paul region, and we look forward to the technological advancements that their Edge Data Center will bring our community of business and consumer users,” adds Gene Goddard, director of business investment, GREATER MSP. “The EdgeConneX Minneapolis facility is one of many efforts we have to further enrich our region’s infrastructure and attract businesses.”
According to Cisco’s® 2014-2019 Global Cloud Index (GCI), cloud traffic will consume 83 percent of all data center traffic by 2019. At that time, annual cloud IP traffic globally will reach 8.6 ZB, more than quadrupling since 2014. This massive-scale cloud adoption and the resulting burst in traffic to and from data centers are driving the need to distribute cloud infrastructure to more locations at the edge of the network. This has resulted in the requirement of having the Internet of Everywhere, which necessitates a more highly distributed network architecture with infrastructure deployed much closer in proximity to end-users. This model can satisfy the performance, security and economic requirements that both consumers and enterprises demand. Whether it’s streaming 4K content, real-time interactive gaming, industrial Internet of Things (IoT) or cloud computing, all require levels of performance that traditional Internet and network architectures can no longer adequately support.
“EdgeConneX is proud to play an important role in helping the MSP region attract and accelerate enterprise growth,” says Clint Heiden, chief commercial officer, EdgeConneX. “Our partnership with Comcast and GREATER MSP makes Minneapolis–St. Paul an ideal place to bring our Edge Data Center ecosystem.”
To enable the Internet of Everywhere, EdgeConneX’s model is to deploy purpose-built, state-of-the-art facilities in as many markets across a region as possible, and extend the Internet’s edge as close to enterprises and end-users as possible. To date, EdgeConneX has built 23 data centers across the U.S. to support the ever-growing demand for bandwidth-intensive content and cloud applications. The Minneapolis EDC provides secure interconnectivity between all of the region’s major data centers and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) via the Midwest Internet Cooperative Exchange (MICE). This remote switch adds resiliency, reliability and increased performance for regional MICE members, which include ISPs, Application Service Providers (ASPs), carriers, cable companies, VoIP providers, government entities, academic institutions and content providers.
For more information about EdgeConneX and its leading Edge of network infrastructure solutions for expanding and improving access to wireless and data communications, visit edgeconnex.com or email info@edgeconnex.com.
About EdgeConneX®
EdgeConneX® is a global data center provider specializing in infrastructure solutions at the edge of the network. They provide space, power and connectivity for content, network, cloud, colocation, CDNs and service providers, as well as wireless carriers, telecommunications companies, and commercial property owners. EdgeConneX has created a new Edge for traditional networks, offering superior performance and economics. Their purpose-built Meet You Points®optimize delivery of data at network-critical locations closest to the end-user. For more information, please visit the EdgeConneX Internet of Everywhere at edgeconnex.com.
About Comcast Corporation
Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company with two primary businesses, Comcast Cable and NBCUniversal. Comcast Cable is one of the nation’s largest video, high-speed Internet and phone providers to residential customers under the XFINITY brand and also provides these services to businesses. NBCUniversal operates news, entertainment and sports cable networks, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, television production operations, television station groups, Universal Pictures and Universal Parks and Resorts. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information.
About GREATER MSP
GREATER MSP (Minneapolis Saint Paul Regional Economic Development Partnership) is a private non-profit organization (501C3) dedicated to providing public and private sector leadership, coordination and engagement to grow the economy of the 16-county Minneapolis Saint Paul region. With its economic development partners throughout the region, GREATER MSP is advancing a coordinated regional economic development strategy, a coordinated regional brand to promote the region’s assets and a coordinated regional business retention, expansion, and recruitment program to stimulate capital investment and job creation in the region. The organization is also promoting a regional talent strategy to attract and retain talented workers.