Interoute marks U.S. entry

European fiber network operator Interoute, which recently emerged from bankruptcy proceedings, said it has selected telx as its preferred point of entry into the U.S. market.

The deal gives Interoute direct national connectivity into the U.S. via telx’s New York and Atlanta interconnection facilities. It’s also the company’s first major expansion into the U.S. after going through the UK equivalent of Chapter 11. Since emerging debt-free, the company also has signed on Greek carrier OTE as a customer, which provided a significant morale boost, according to Jay Belodoff, vice president of sales in the Americas for Interoute.

“The fact that we came back so quickly helped,” he said. “OTE was a big deal because it gave confidence to a lot of other carriers.”

In the U.S., the company is targeting enterprises that need connectivity not just across the Atlantic but also deep into Europe. Interoute is becoming particularly strong in Eastern Europe and in several key metros after a couple of strategic acquisitions.

“There isn’t a shortage of people that can get you across the pond, but as you get further into Europe, we have an advantage,” Belodoff said.