Switch and Data (NASDAQ: SDXC), a leading provider of Internet exchange and colocation services, today announced that Internet backbone provider Hurricane Electric has expanded its PAIX public peering footprint with 10GigE ports in both Palo Alto and New York. Hurricane Electric is now able to provide much-needed nationwide data transmission between Switch and Data’s Palo Alto and New York markets, which is critical for European and Asian networks seeking a coast to coast peering presence among a high density of networks.

“We have been a PAIX client now for more than seven years,” said Mike Leber, president of Hurricane Electric. “Switch and Data continues to respond to client needs by providing next generation services such as 10GigE and IPv6 capability on their exchange. This in turn allows us to offer new technology at better rates for our clients.”

In addition to providing Internet connection and colocation services to Hurricane Electric in Palo Alto and New York, Switch and Data also provides the company with colocation and connectivity services in its Seattle market.

“Hurricane Electric’s long term strategic investment with Switch and Data continues to increase, bringing with it growth in peering traffic,” said Ernie Sampera, Sr. VP of Marketing of Switch and Data. “Hurricane Electric’s business depends on our reliability and scalability and PAIX is vital to their strategy for coast to coast peering.”

About Switch and Data

Switch and Data is a leading provider of Internet exchange and colocation services. Based in Tampa, Florida, Switch and Data operates one of the largest footprints of neutral Internet exchange and colocation facilities in North America serving more than 850 customers. Switch and Data's PAIX is recognized worldwide as the premier name in peering and Internet exchange services and is home to one of the largest commercial exchange points in North America. For more information, please visit www.switchanddata.com.

About Hurricane Electric

Hurricane Electric is a leading Internet Backbone and Colocation Provider specializing in Colocation, Dedicated Servers, Direct Internet Connections, and Web Hosting. Hurricane Electric operates its own global network, running multiple OC192s, OC48s, and 10Gigabit Ethernet. For more information about Hurricane Electric, please visit www.he.net.