HRH Prince Willem-Alexander visits the Amsterdam Internet Exchange at Equinix

The Amsterdam Internet Exchange (AMS-IX) and Equinix recently received His Royal Highness Prince of Orange for a working lunch and guided tour of the data center AM3 Science Park Amsterdam. In the heart of the digital economy – a month before he becomes King – he was informed about the global position that Amsterdam occupies and the great importance of the digital economy for the Netherlands.

During the meeting, AMS-IX, Equinix and HRH Prince Willem-Alexander discussed the extent and relevance of the internet’s infrastructure in the Amsterdam region from a national and international perspective. The Municipality of Amsterdam and other concerned parties also spoke about the economic and social importance of the AMS-IX and the more than 550 networks that are connected to the world’s largest internet exchange point. It is partly due to the presence of AMS-IX in this region that, for example, Cisco and Softlayer have established their European headquarters there. The lunch meeting was closed with a substantive debate on the growth factors and potential obstacles for the Dutch internet infrastructure and the possible future scenarios for the digital economy.

Prior to the lunch meeting, a guided tour took place of the innovative and secure AM3 Science Park Amsterdam data center, one of the twelve data centers in which AMS-IX is active. HRH Prince Willem-Alexander was given insight into the existing networks, internet exchanges and the facilities available for companies active in the digital economy.

"We are extremely pleased with the interest shown by our future head of state. The Netherlands holds a top global position in the field of internet infrastructure. This infrastructure provides an important contribution to the digital economy”, says Job Witteman, CEO of AMS-IX. "It is partly due to these good internet facilities that the data center and cloud computing industry is growing very rapidly in the Netherlands and why the Netherlands also holds an important position internationally. The trade nation of the Netherlands has become synonymous with transport by way of air, road, water and the internet – and we can rightly be proud of that.”

Michiel Eielts, Managing Director of Equinix Benelux: “HRH Prince Willem-Alexander’s visit emphasises the importance of the digital sector for the Dutch economy. Equinix, for example, enables its clients to serve all of Europe and even the rest of the world from this one network location. This attracts many foreign companies wanting to establish themselves in Europe, who choose Amsterdam because of the great opportunities it offers to work with innovative Dutch companies.”

HRH Prince Willem-Alexander visited AM3 Science Park as a member of the Advisory Board of ECP, a platform where the government, industry and social organisations work together on developing the Dutch economy and society.