Band-X Launches Benelux IP Exchange

Band-X has launched its Benelux operation, based in Hoofddorp in the Netherlands. Former Energis director, Patrick de Goede van Eijk, has been appointed as CEO of the new office.

Patrick will be responsible for building Band-X's portfolio of IP, Network and Co-location services in the Dutch, Belgian and Luxembourg markets.

Patrick has over 14 years' experience in the telecoms industry. Prior to joining Band-X, he was director for data services and management at Energis (WorldPort/EnerTel). He was responsible for the development and deployment of IP services in the Netherlands along with critical responsibilities in the rollout of Energis' international IP backbone.

The Benelux region is especially important to Band-X as nearly all Europe's leading international carriers, Internet and Application Service Providers have a presence there. The London-based company aims to build partnerships with key players in this region as the basis for expansion across continental Europe.

There is already huge demand for a truly independent and neutral trading platform in this region. Carrier 1 and Level(3) have already agreed to connect with Band-X's Benelux Routed Exchange.

"We look forward to using Band-X's Quality/Price index to independently prove that our quality is as good as we say it is. Being able to show buyers the quality of our network will give us a huge advantage in the extremely competitive IP market," said Marc Gauw, managing director at Carrier 1 Benelux.<./p> "We congratulate Band-X on its new Benelux office. We expect to see a more liquid market for bandwidth, leading to a rapid decrease in prices as a result of stronger demand. It is this kind of situation that will drive the development of silicon economics," said Floris van den Broek, managing director at Level(3) Netherlands.

The company has also recently opened an office in France, which will work closely with its Benelux operation to help replicate the success of its UK operation across Europe. Band-X has also opened offices in India and the US.

"After the British, the Dutch are probably the most enthusiastic advocates of free market economics in Europe. This is especially true in the telecoms market, which is as vigorous in the Netherlands as it is in the UK. The market in this region is ripe for Band-X's service and I am sure that the concept of Internet trading will take off just as quickly here as it has in the UK," said Patrick de Goede van Eijk, CEO at Band-X, Benelux.

"The Benelux is a key market for us and will be an essential catalyst for future growth across Europe," said Marcus de Ferranti, co-founder of Band-X. "Patrick is a proven player in the telecommunications industry and has the experience and contacts to help Band-X corner this lucrative market."

Band-X is drawing on $40 million of second round funding to finance its ambitious global expansion. Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Private Equity and existing investor Madison Dearborn Partners Inc. have all provided finance for the company.

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