Global network specialist Hurricane Electric has established a Point of Presence (PoP) in Latvia.

The company has started offering its IP transit services from the Latvia State Radio and Television Center (LVRTC) in Riga – the tallest structure in the EU which serves as the main telecommunications hub of the country.

The tall tower

The Latvia State Radio and Television Center is the main operator of the country’s terrestrial radio and television broadcasting network. In recent years, the state-owned company has diversified into hosting and internet services, and by extension data centers.

LVRTC offers colocation at the main headquarters within the concrete tower, which is a familiar site to anyone who has ever visited the city. The tower was designed by Georgian architect Kims Nikurdze. It was built in 1985 while the country was still under Soviet rule, and remains an exceptional example of architecture of this period.

The site has enjoyed connectivity to all Latvian networks, as well as network providers in Eastern Europe and the Nordics.

Hurricane Electric’s latest PoP will provide LVRTC customers with access to its global IPv4 and IPv6 infrastructure. Now, these customers will be able to exchange IP traffic with over 4,000 different networks worldwide.

“Based on the impressive growth of the telecommunications industry in the Baltics, Hurricane Electric is delighted to open our first Point of Presence in Latvia,” said Mike Leber, president of Hurricane Electric.

“This connection is our second in the region and will enable customers of LVRTC to access Hurricane Electric’s rich global network through a variety of robust connectivity options. We look forward to further expanding in this important region in the coming months.”