Eletronet boosts strategic data point in northeast Brazil

Brazilian data transport and IP connectivity provider Eletronet modernized and expanded its point-of-presence (PoP) in the city of Imperatriz, in northeastern state Maranhão.

The company did not provide specifics of the expansion, saying only it "significantly" increased the site's capacity.

A PoP is a physical location where two or more networks or communication devices connect. 

For companies like Eletronet, it is where internet service providers (ISPs) host the telecoms equipment necessary to allow local access of their customers and users to the internet.

The Imperatriz PoP is considered one of the most strategic for distributing the company's traffic to ISPs in northeast Brazil, according to Eletronet. About 70% of the company’s revenue comes from ISPs.

Currently, Eletronet operates 166 PoPs in 18 Brazilian states.

It also owns a 17,000km national fiber optic network of OPGW (optical ground wire) cables, integrated to power transmission grids.

Eletronet has been expanding its network of PoPs, as well as its internet traffic exchange points, or IX.

In July, it announced the activation of its first of IX in Belo Horizonte.

Eletronet was created by the federal government in 1999 initially with the objective of managing the fiber optic network of subsidiaries of federal power company Eletrobras.

Unlike other fiber-based connectivity providers, which need to bury cables or sign contracts for the use of light poles, Eletronet has an agreement to use Eletrobras' own high-voltage transmission cables to lay out its backbone.

Shortly after creating Eletronet, the federal government sold 51% of the company to the AES group, while 49% remained with Eletrobras subsidiaries. 

Currently, LT Bandeirante owns 51% of the company and Eletropar, Eletrobras' equity vehicle, the rest.