Stockholm-based start-up hub, SUP46, has effectively gained unlimited connectivity via a direct connection to the core of the Internet. TeliaSonera International Carrier (TSIC), in collaboration with Cisco Systems, has connected the site directly to its global backbone with a staggering 100Gb/s.
“We wanted to see what happens when you remove the limits on innovation,” said Brendan Ives, CEO TeliaSonera International Carrier.
Ives continued: “Innovation is already borderless thanks to the Internet. We wanted to see what happens when we also remove the limits on connectivity. We believe limitless connectivity will give big ideas the space to grow. Today’s start-ups will be an important part of our customer base in the near future, so we are pleased to be able to support them now."
Startup hub SUP46 was founded in 2013 to foster the start-up community in Stockholm though an ecosystem of investors, advisors and mentors. Home to more than 50 start-ups, it works closely with established and emerging Internet pioneers, mainly within Internet, mobile, media, gaming and the Internet of Things (IoT).
Stockholm was chosen because of its start-up pedigree. The region is second only to Silicon Valley in terms of billion dollar companies per million inhabitants. These include now household names such as Skype, Spotify, Candy Crush parent King and Minecraft developer Mojang.
“Anyone in the start-up world knows how important great connectivity is,” said Jessica Stark, CEO and co-founder of SUP46. “Our members are really excited to be able to work with what is probably one of the fastest workplace connections in the world. It also shows the support that companies like TeliaSonera International Carrier and Cisco have for the start-up community at large. They know where the future is coming from.”
TeliaSonera International Carrier owns and operates a top-two ranked Global IP backbone. Using a new generation Cisco ASR 903, SUP46 gets direct access to a 100Gb/s backbone router at the core of TSIC’s global network, effectively turning their downtown Stockholm premises into a high-capacity Internet point-of-presence.
The costs of hardware, power and cooling have historically limited the roll-out of high-bandwidth Internet connections. However, Cisco says its ASR 9xx series routers can deliver blistering speeds with a minimal footprint. All that’s required is a fibre backbone capable of doing the hardware justice. Combined with TSIC’s ability to cover the world in a single network hop, it creates what the companies are calling “a perfect storm for limitless connectivity”.
And in SUP46’s case, the opportunity to unleash limitless innovation.
TISC plans to document the advances this initiative will make possible on on its web site.
