Encounter with Monica Arensi, our head administrator
In the rapidly evolving digital landscape of Italy, MIX, the nation's largest interconnection platform, is strengthening its role as the main Internet Exchange Point (IXP). This strategic move aims to optimize network performance, reduce latency, and lower costs for its customers.
MIX's expansion strategy includes the growth of public peering services, which offer optimal network performance and cost efficiency, with low latency and reduced expenses as key benefits for connected networks. The company is also investing in educational initiatives like the MIX’COOL project, targeting IT students to foster knowledge about the Internet's workings and support long-term growth by cultivating future talent in the digital infrastructure sector.
The platform is organising networking and business events under the "Salotto" series, which serve to strengthen the Italian IP and network community, promote collaboration, and keep stakeholders informed of the latest trends. MIX's robust infrastructure, currently supporting 427 ASNs with a capacity of 17.39 Tb/s and peak traffic reaching 3083 Gb/s, indicates a readiness to support further growth in Internet traffic and interconnection needs within Italy.
The nationwide expansion project, approved in 2017, has resulted in the opening of Points of Presence (PoPs) in Rome and Caserta. MIX is now expanding its physical infrastructure by opening PoPs in new datacenters across various Italian cities, a move aimed at helping more Italian businesses grow and solidify MIX's position as the leading interconnection platform in the country.
The expansion of MIX's physical infrastructure is a significant, stimulating, and rewarding development, according to the head of administration and general secretary of the company. This change is considered a testament to the company's commitment to staying at the forefront of the digital communications sector.
The individual, who has been with MIX since its inception, has witnessed many changes within the company. They are proud to be part of the sector that ensured essential services during the COVID-19 lockdown. They enjoy the autonomy that their role provides, allowing them to plan activities and deadlines independently. The role at MIX involves building solid relationships with members to ensure their satisfaction and commitment.
MIX is chosen by businesses for its reliability, security, expertise, and availability of staff. The opening of the PoPs increases access availability to high-performance and high-reliability technologies. The pandemic has highlighted the importance of a well-structured and organized interconnection point for various sectors. As one of the longest-standing telecom actors in Italy, MIX's reputation contributes to businesses trusting them.
The growth of MIX over the past few years is substantial, with potential that warrants further development. While there is no explicit public disclosure of broader expansion plans such as international interconnectivity projects or integration into pan-European grids, the evolving digital and energy interconnection landscape in Italy and the Mediterranean region suggests that MIX's strategy likely aligns with national and regional trends emphasizing infrastructure modernization and enhanced connectivity.
- The strategic expansion of MIX, including the growth of public peering services and the investment in educational initiatives like the MIX’COOL project, position the company to leverage technology and finance for optimizing business performance within the digital landscape.
- As MIX expands its physical infrastructure with Points of Presence (PoPs) in various Italian cities, the technology industry will play a pivital role in fostering sustainable growth for both the platform and the nation's industry, ensuring they remain at the forefront of the digital communications sector.
